Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-29
DON'T KILL TIME.

"SPARE a copper, sir I'm starving"
said poor, half-clad man to gentleman
who was Fastening homewards through
the streets ia the great city one bitter cold
night Spare copper, sir, and God will
bless you"
Struck with the poor fellows manner
and appearance, the gentleman REPLIED
You look as If you had seen better
days. If you will tell me. candidly, what
has been your greatest failing through life,
I'll give you enough money to pay your
lodging"
Il am afraid I could hardly do that"
the beggar answered, with mournful
smile.
TRY, man, try" added the gentleman.
Here's shilling to sharpen your mem
DRY only be sure you speak the truth"
The man pressed the coin tightly in his
hand, and after thinking for nearly min
ute, said,-
"To be honest with you, then, believe
my greatest fault has been in learning to
kill time When / was a youngster,
had kind, loving parents, who let me do
pretty much as liked; so became idle
and careless, and never once thought of
the change which was in store for me. In
the hope that should one day make my
mark in the world, was sent to college
but there wasted my time in idle dream
ing and expensive amusements. If had
been a poor boy, with necessity staring me
in the face, think l should have done
better But somehow fell into the no.
ton that life was to be only one continued
holiday. gradually became fond Of wine
and company. In a few years my parents
both died; and you can guess the rest.
soon wasted what little they left me; and
now it is too late to combat my old habits
Yes, sir; idleness ruined me-
~ believe your story" replied the gen.
tleman; land when get home, / will tell
it 10 my own boys as warning. i am
sorry for you; indeed l am. But it is
never too late to reform. Come to my
Office tomorrow, and let me try to inspire
you with fresh courage"
And giving the man another piece Of
money, and indicating where he could be
found, he hurried away.
Never "kill Time" boys. He is your
best friend. Use him well. Don't let him
slip through your fingers when you are
young as the baggar did. The days Of
your boyhood are the most precious you
will ever see. The habits you get into
will stick to you like wax. II they are
good ones, lie Will De pleasure, ana,
above all, success ! mean a true sue
cess. You may not grow rich, but your
life will be a real success, nevertheless.
If, on the contrary, you waste your early
years, live for fun only, tIiie with your
opportunities, you will kind after while
that your life is failure ; yes, even ii you
should be as rich as Crpsus.
One Of the saddest things is, to meet a
man who has just let golden opportunities
go by him, just entering the battle Of life,
yet entirely untitled for his position. He
is to be pitied, and yet blamed. In this
favored land every one can learn TO read
and write, for instance. But how often
we meet young men utterly unable to
write a dozen lines without making mis-
takes. BE assured, my young friends, it
will be source Of shame to you as men,
If you do not pay attention to education as
boys.
The world is full of good books to read
You are surrounded with friends and rel
atives. BE warned in time, and coin hap
piness and honor in the future from the in
dustry of the present, and you will not
have read this page in yain.-Merry's