, 1864-04-09
[FRoM WILSON'S TALES OF THE BORDERS. ]
The Froerastinator.

Being overtaken by shower in Kensing-
ton Gardens, l sought shelter in one Of the
alcoves near the palace. l was scarce seated,
when the storm burst with all its fury; and
I observed an old fllow, who had stood
lettering till the hrrri zane whistled round
his cars, making towards me, as rapidly as
his apparently palsied limbs would permit
Upon his nearer approach, he appeared
rather to have suffered from infrmity than
years. He wore brownish- black coat, or
rather shell, which, from its dimensions, had
never been intended for the wearer; and
his inexpressibles were truly inexpressible.
$50" said l, as he seated himself on the
bench, andshook the rain from his old broad.
brimmed hat, "yOu see, old boy, 'Procras-
tination is the thief Of time;' the clouds
gave you hint Of wha: was coming. but
you seemed not to take it." at is," re-
piled he, eagerly. doctor Yonng is in
the right. Procrastination has been my
curse since was in leading strings. 1t has
grown with my growth, and strengthened
with my strength. 1t has ever been my
besetting sin-my companion in prosperity
and adversity; and I have slept upon It,
like Samson on the lap Of Dalilah, till it has
shorn my locks and deprived me of my
strength. It has been to me a witch,
manslayer, and q murderer; and when I
would have shaken it of in disgust, found
was no longer master Of MY own actions
and my own house. It had brought around
me host of its blood od-relations-it sisters
and its cousins-german-to fatten on my
weakness. and haunt mo to the grave; so
that when tore myself from the embrace
Of one, it was only to be intercepted by
another. You are young. sir, and stran.
ger to me, but its effects upon me, and my
history-the history Of poor paralytic
shOemaker-if you have patience to hear,
may serve as beacon to you in your voy-
age through life."
Upon expressing my assent to his pro-
posal-for the fuency and fervency Of his
manner had at once riveted my attention,
and excited curiosity--he continued:
"I was born without fortune, as many
people are When about Eve years Of age,
was sent to parish school in Roxburgh-
shire, and procrastination went with me.
Being possessed Of tolerable memory.
was not more deficient than my schoolfel-
lows; but the task which they had studied
the previous evening, was BY me seldom
looked at till the following morning; and
my seat was the last to be Occupiedof any
other IN the form. Ny lessons were COM
mitted 70 memory by n few hurried glanccs.
aud repeated with a falteriag rapidity,
which not unftequently pu1zled the ear
Of the teacher 10 follow me. But what
was thus hastily learned was as suddenly
forgotten. They were mere surface impress
siOas, each oblitstated By the succeeding.
Aad though I had run over atolerable gen.
eral education, left school but little wiser
than when / entered it.
Ny paFents--peace 10 their memory
here the old fellow looked most feelingly,
and tear of flial recollection glisteaed u
his eyes; Il added digaity TO the recital
Of his weakness, and l almost revereuced
him-H Ny parents" continued he, chad
no ambition TO see me rise higher than an
hsasst brakeman; and 40 their cen, was
bound apprentice % q shoemaker. Yes,
sir, I Was-I an shoemaker; and but for
my cuFse-my malady--had been an orna-
ment % my profession. ! have measured
the foot q princess, sir; have made
slippers to his Majestyl" Here his tongue
acquired new vigor from the idea Of his
own Importance. aYes, cir, have made
slippers to his Majcsty--yet l am an unlucky
II am beWitched-I am ruined man.
But to proceed with my history. During
the first year Of my apprenticeship, ! acted
in the capacity Of errand boy; and, as SUCH.
had TO run upon many an unpleasant mes
sometimes to ask money, frequently
TO borrow IL Now, sir, am also bashf1l
man; and, as ! was saying, Bashfalness Is
one Of the blood-relations which procrasti-
nation has fastened upon me. While act
ing IL my aforementioned capacity, I have
gone to the house -gazed at every window
-passed It and repassed it-placed my
hand upon the Representatives, it,
passed it and repassed i again-stood hesi-
tating and consulting with myselE-then re-
solved to defer It ill the next day, and
finally returned TO my master, not with q
direct lie, but with q broad equivocation;
and this was another Of the ccusins-german
which procrastination introduced to my ac-
quaintance.
ain the third year Of my servitude / be-
came fond Of reading; wasesteemeda quick
workman; and, having no desire for money
beyond what was necessary TO supply my
wants, gave unrestricted indulgence 70
my new passion. We had each an allotted
quantity Of work toperform weekly. Con-
scious Of being able to complete tin half the
time, and having yielded myself solely to