Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-08-09
ALWAYS BEHINDHAND.

AAUA AIS DGHlNDaANU.
Supper was ready and waiting. Our
guest had not arrived, but there was an
other train an hour later. Should the
family wait for my friend, or should l
alone, who was the parsonage espec-
tally to be visited? My father paced the
floor nervously, as was his wont when
he was disturbed. He had the evening
papers to read, and he never opened
them until after tea. This was a habit
of his. He was very fxed-or, as some
express it, "set" in his little ways. 1t
was Bridget's evening out, and she had
begun to show a darkened visage.
Bridget was no friend to company" !"
and it was policy to conciliate her. So
the family seated themselves at the ta-
b.. and l sat near, waiting until Brother
john should be ready to accompany me
a second time to the station.
''What about this young lady friend of
yours, NellieP asked my father. "Is
she one of the unreliable sort-a little
addicted to tardiness, that isP"
II am obliged to confess, papa, that at
boarding-school, where 1 longest knew
Jeanette, she was inclined to be dila-
tory; but that was years ago. is to be
hoped she has changed since then"
q should wish to have very little to do
with behindhand person" said nv
father, shaking his head very gravely.
"0h, papap demonstrated, "you will
not condemn dear friend for one single
fault. Jeanette is beautiful and ac-
cOmplished, sensible and good-tempered.
Everybody thinks she is Splendid
She may have very pleasant qualities,
but l tell you, girls" he added with sud-
den emphasis, "that want of punctual-
ity vitiates thewhole character. No one
is good for much who cannot be depend
ed upon; and what dependence is TO be
placed on a man who is not up 10 his
Engagements In business such man
is nowhere and in social life david
ling, dilatory man or woman is simply
pest. But mind, my child, am not
characterizing your friend; we cannot
tell about her till we see."
The later train brought my friend.
She was profuse in her regrets; she had
been belated by a mistake in the time;
her watch was slow. As she was pour
ing fourth torrent of regrets and apol-
ogies, observed my father bestowfng
glances of evident admiration at the fair
speaker, while the rich color came and
went in her cheeks, and her eyes kind
led with animation. Truly beauty COW
ers a multitude of faults. Sister Bell,
who was as punctual as my father, was
appeased, and promised to take care of
the tea-things and let Bridget 60 out.
My father good-naturedly offered to reg
ulate the halting watch by the true
time.
To her chamber we went together, to
talk as girls do talk when they meet, af-
ter long separation. Folding me IN
her arms, she told me all about her re-
cent engagement to George Allibone;
showed me her engagement ring, and
her lovers photograph. 1t was a noble
head finely poised, and most engaging
face, and my ready and cordial admira-
tionwas a new bond of sympathy. 1t
took until nearly midnight to say all that
we girls, aged twenty, had to say to each
other; and this, IN addition to the IA
tigues of travel, was accepted as an ex-
cuse for Jenny's tardiness at breakfast.
She really had meant to be early.
But this was only the beginning:
Throughout the whole three weeks OF
her visit, she was scarcely punctual IN a
single case where time was definitely ap-
pointed. She was late in rising, late at
meals, late at church and for excursions.
and to our profound modification, late
for dinner appointments, even when
parties were made especially on her ac-
count. She seemed sorry and mortified,
but on each occasion she would do the
same thing over again.
"What can she be doing% my mother
sometimes asked in perplexity, when my
sister and were waiting.
"Doing her hair, mother" we answer
ed, "and she will do it over until it suits
her, be it early or late"
"Oh, these hair-worksm sighed my
mother. 'How much tardiness at
church and elsewhere is due to ovep-fas-
tidious hair-dressingl What is that line
of good George Herberts? Stay not for
another PIN 1 think he must have
meant hair-pins."
My sister and I sometimes agreed be-
tween ourselves to compel her to readi-
ness by standing by to help her in her
preparations; but in vain. She must
write letter or finish a story before
making her toilet. Why not accomplish
the toilet first, to be sure of it-any
time remaining, for the other purposes !?
She didn't like to do so. No philosopher
could tell why. 1t is an unaccountable,
mysterious something, rooted deep in
some peoples natures-this aversion to
being beforehand. / have seen it in
other people since the time when 1t SO
puzzled and troubled me in Jennie. 1t
marred the pleasure of the visit most
miserably. I was continually fearing
the displeasure of my father and the
discomfort of my mother. The whole
household were disturbed by what
seemed to them downright rudeness.
"Now, Jennie" would plead, "do be
early dear, when papa comes with the
carriage. 1t annoys him dreadfully to
wait"
She would promise to "try"
'But pray, Jennie, why need you have
to try? 1t is easy enough. For my part,
never will make any one wait for me.
go without being ready, if need be, or
stay behind"
I had come to talk very plainly to her,
out of love and goodwill, as well as,
sometimes, from vexation of spirit. For
the twentieth time she would tell me
how truly she had meant to be punctual
In some given case, and that she would
have been so but that she was hindered
when nearly ready by some unforeseen
occurrence. . rII
"But, my dear, unforeseen hinderances
will often occur, and you must lay your
account with them, and give yourseit
extra time. You will run the risk OF
meeting some great calamity by trusting
as you do TO the last minute"