The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-02-12
HALF AN HOUR TOO LATE.


Half an hour too late I have heard
these words oftener than many others
in the English language. They possess
for me deep significance. How many
trials, troubles, notifications and dis
appointments have followed in their
train.
l never could explain why these few
syllables had had so much influence
,over my whole life. know of no better
reason than that / was born half an
hour too late; for cannot help think
ing that had L made my appearance on
the worlds stage just thirty minutes
sooner, all would have been we'll But
it was manifest destiny Ind I must
submit with as good a grace as pos
sible.
Some ill-natured people have asserted
that it was my own fault, and I could
overcome it; a bad habit, and nothing
more. Mistaken souls it would lie
Just as appropriate to say that the sun
had habit of rising in the East, when
everybody knows that that luminary is
obliged to rise in that direction.
My mother says L had no teeth until
long after the age in which such appen-
dages usually appear, and also adds
that she had fears lest I should never
walk alone.
Now I leave it to competent judges,
whether L Could possibly have exer-
cised any influence over those two mat
ters Gould I have teeth before the
time, or could I walk before my limbs
We're strong enough to support my
kody? think not, and have therefore
decided that destiny DEGREES me to come
after everybody else; the two instances
in point which have quoted, proving,
beyond a doubt, that have no control
over the fact.
AS I became older I was sent to
school. I was invariably called twice
by my mother, before I could be per-
suaded to leave my bed, and, of course,
was half an hour too late for breakfast,
and proportionably tardy at school. It
always happened SO, and the results
were uniformly the same; a scolding
from my mother, threats from nv faith
er, and generally something worse from
my teacher.
I tried to reform in this particular :;
but as often as 1 made q good reso-
luton, I found my shoe-string in
hard knot, my comb and brush were
missing, my cap was not to be found,
or some other impediment stood in the
way and to this day I firmly believe
the worthy pedagogue used frequently
to set his watch along half an hour, on
purpose to vex me. The classes for
recitation was called long before I was
prepared, and spent the whole day in
trying to overtake the minutes I had
lost.
Gilbert" said my father, ago up
to Mr.. Halls, and tell him that I will
take the twelve barrels of apples I
looked at, at the price he named. Go
directly there, and don't forget your
errand."
And, Gilbert" added my mother,
stopping me at the door, "if you should
want your new coat made tomorrow,
call and speak to Miss Graves about it,
| believe she is disengaged Just now.
You had better go in on the way to Mr..
Halls"
Ipromised compliance, and determin-
ing to acquit myself creditably, imme-
diately set out. About half way there.
sudden gust of wind blew off my hat,
and l spent some time in recovering it;
then l went on again, only stopping a
few minutes to admire a little shin
which boy was sailing by the road.
Quickening my steps, knocked at Mr..
Halls door, and told him my errand.
"You are too late, my lad sold
the lot half an hour ago." he replied.
My countenance fell as he spoke the
. words that I had heard only too often.
"Don't look so disappointed, he
added, kindly, " there are other apples
that your father can buy"
This remark consoled me but little,
for l was thinking of my race after the
hat, and the time / had spent at the
tiny ship. AS walked slowly home,
Illuminating on my bad luck, my new
coat and Miss Graves popped into my
mind. / would at least do one errand
successfully, and accordingly made
known my business.
III you had called a little while
ago, could have done it but I have
Just made an engagement of fort
night" was the reply of the lady.
Half an hour too late, as usual | Why
did L not stop on my way as mother had
advised me, and as l had purposed do
ing ? was greatly troubled, and ready
to cry, at this second failure, for I had
set my heart upon wearing my new coat
at party which one of my school COM
)panions was to give. went home and
told my story, not forgetting to men
ltion my chase after the flying hat, con-
Aidering that sufficient justification
my delay.
Just as 1 expected |" said my father,
hing me stern look. "That boy was
er punctual in his life. He'll be
ie all his days"
ly mother merely remarked that if 1
I'd brought my hat to her to have the
6trlngs sewed on, Jas she had directed me
the day before, that trouble would have
been avoided. This was all the COM
fort I got from her. She well knew that
being obliged to wear the old coat two
weeks longer would be quite punish
ment enough for neglecting her advice.
Ny fathers temper was not improved,
upon learning, the next day, that
apples had risen fifty cents per barrel,