The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-05-21
From the baltimore San.
BEHIND TIME

from the Bdttimore San. -. 81,
BEHIND TIME
a railroad train was rushing along at
almost lightning speed. A curve vas lust,
, ahead, beyond which was n station,t which
tho cars usually passed each othr. The
conductor was late, so late that th period
during which the down.train waste wait,
had nearly elapsed bu. he hopcdyet to
pass the curve safely. Suddenly a lcomo-
tive dashed into sight right ahead. In an
instant there was collision. A sl,ell. a
shock, and fifty souls were in eternity and
all because an engineer had been blind
time.
A great battle was being fought. Col
umn after column had been precipitatL for
eight mortal hours OH the enemy ,osted
along the ridge of hill The sumner
sun was sinking to the west reinforce
ments for the obstinate defenders wee al
ready in sight; it was necessary to carry
the position with one iiual charge, or .very-
thing would he lost A powerful corIs had
bcen summoned from across the co,n!ry.
aid if it camo up in season all woull vet
he right. The great conqucrcr, confident
i'll its arrival, formed his reserve into an at
tacking column, and led them dow, the
hill. Tie whole world knows the result
Grouchy failed to appear; the imperial
guard was beaten back Waterloo was
lost. Napoleon died prisoner at St. lei
ena because one of lis marsl,als Was behind
time.
A leading firm in commercial circles lad
long struggled against bankruptcy. As it
had enormous assets in California, it expect
cd rem'ttanccs by certain day, and, if,he
sums promised arrived, its credit, its horor,
and its future prosperity would be preserved.
But week after week elapsed without brig
ing the gold. At last came the fatal div
on which the firm had bills maturing 10
enormous amounts. The steamer was tel
graphed at day break !; but it was foud
on inquiry that she brought no funds; AMI
the house failed. The next arrival brought
nearly half million to the insolvents, but
it was too late; they were ruined because
their agent, in renting, lad been behind
time.
A condemned man was being led out for
execution. lie had taken human life, but
under circumstances Of the greatest provo
cation, and public sympathy was active in
his behalf Thousands had signed petitions
tor 4 repricve, a favorable answer had been
expected the night before, and, though it
had not come, even the sheriff felt conf
dent that it would yet arrive in season.
Thus the morning passed without the ap
pcarance of the messenger. The last mo-
mcnt was up. The prisoner took his place
on the prop, tho cap was drawn over his
eyes, the bolt was drawn, and a lifeess
body swung revolving in the wind. Just
at that moment horseman came into sight,
gallopping down hill, his steed covered will,
foam. lie carried packet in his right
hand, which he waved partially to the
crowd. He was the express rider with the
reprieve. But he had come too late. A
comparatively innocent man had died an
ignominious death because watch had
been five minutes too slow, making its
bearer arrive behind time.
1t is continually SO in life. The best laid
plans, the most important affairs, the for
tune of individuals, the weaL Of nations,
honor, happiness; life itself, are daily sacri-
feed because somebody is "Jehind time"
There are men who always fail in whatever
they undertake, simply because they are
" behind time" There are others who put
off reformation year by year, till death
seizes them, and they perish unrepentant,
because forever "behind time.'' The AL
lies have lost nearly year at Sebastopol,
because they delayed a superhuous day af-
ter the battle Of Alma, and came up too
late for coup dc main just twenty-four
hours "behind Time" Five minutes ir a
crisis is worth years. 1t is but little Pc
riod, yet it has often saved fortune or re-
deemed a people. If there is one virtue
that should be. cultivated more than anoth-
er by him who would succeed in life, it is
if there is one error that should
be avoided, it is being "behiad time"
ARTIFICIAL GASTRIC JUICE
DR.. Corvisart, Partisan physician, has
attempted the systematic introduction, or. a
large scale, of medicine capable Of per-
forming the functions which properly be-
long to the digestive organs. Tho results
Of its use appear sufficiently remarkable to
rnnxit ronoral attotf;on II haa lonox Lao.,