The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1879-11-20
BIS PROMPT.

cannot be relied upon. There il a
certain blacksmith not far from this
city whom nature haa endowed with
much more than the average amount
of skill. His ability to SEQ at once
the fault 10 cranky machine OF
any kind is unsurpassed in his Wis
entity His work is preferred to
that of his rivals. Bat when a job is
given him, no one can count with
certainty when it will be finished 49,
A reaper may break down in har
vest field on bright day, when
every moment is precious, The
farmer hastens with it to this smith,
aud requests that it be repaired at
once. The promise is given that it
will be ready early next morning,
and the machine is loft. Perhaps
the mechanic will potter at it a few
minutes. Then an idler drops in,
aud long chat takes place. Then
Mr.. Blacksmith must have a smoke.
Thus the time slips away, and when
the farmer calls, the machine -is al
most as he left it, and it may be sew
eral days before it will be repaired.
So next time the farmer takes his
work elsewhere. This smith is as
poor to day as when he started in
business,
Another case In neighboring
town lives a brother.in-law of the
party just referred to, also black
smith, who was learning the trade
when number one was receiving
iourneyman's wages. He is not en-
lowed with the natural talent of his
relative, although he is fair, aver,
age workman. But when he says
he will have work finished at a cer>
tain time, it is ready. Therefore
people have confidence in him, and
whenever anything is to be done in
his locality it is brought to his shop
He has prospered, owns q comforta
BILE home, is able to drive his own
horse and buggy, and has money at
interest. The difference in the
financial condition Of these two men
is owing to the difference in their
punctuaIity.
1t is SO easy to form this valuable
habit that it is surprising how many
fail to cultivate it. Ii cannot be ac>
quired too early, and We would ad
wise every one who is inclined to be
dilatory and to procrastnate, to set
about reforming at once. If you
wish TO accomplish something by a
certain time, do not stop to figure
whether you have not made a mis-
take, or if little later will dc, but
20 to work with all your energy
That is the best way to ascertain
whether you can accomplish the
task or not. we never know bow
much we can do until we try
Moreover, as unforeseen obstacles
will often occur, remember, in mak~
ing your calculations, to allow
margin for these. 1t is better to be
a little ahead of, than behind time.
Be prompt in paying your bills
If you can get along without
asking credit, so much the better
A man who can pay cash always
get the best of the market at the
lowest figure. He is not taxed to
make good the defalcation which is
sure to occur with percentage OF
those who ask credit. But as few
have the capital to pay cash for
what they can purchase, and give
the credit that is usually sked when
they sell, every endeavor should be
made to be punctual in paying debts
as they may mature. If A does not
meet the note for his carriage when
it falls due, B cannot pay his jour,
neymen and apprentices then the
butcher, the grocer and the landla
dy have to wait, and SO the mechan
ism of the credit sy stem is thrown all
out of gear. Some, when they can
pay without embarrassment, will
COMPEL their creditors to wait,
merely for the sake Of keeping the
money by them or swelling their
bank account. Others meet their
large bills punctuaIly, but are dila-
tory with the small ones the dollar
a.day laborer and the laundress are
pat off, while the man who furnishes
the stock is paid promptly. Never
take advantage thus of the weak
while you cater to the strong. II
you are compelled to make any one
wait, let it be him who can best afe
ford it,-or, what is better, pay each
what you can proportionately.
1t has been said that the late Hor
ace Greeley was so punctillious in
keeping engagements, that he would
wait on the outside of a building
rather than enter moment before
the appointed time. Mr.. Greeley
was very busy man, and 1t il
doubtful whether be ever wasted any
time in that manner; but undoubt-
eddy be methodically arranged fol
his engagements beforehand, and
was able thus to keep each one al
the required. A little incident will
illustrate this habit of his. He
made an appointment to dine with
, the Hon. Geo. w. Wrigh! aud 8
, friend, Mr.. Wheeler, a. Delmonico's
Mr.. Wright and friend arrived a lit
, tie ahead of time, and as the hand 0
= the clock approached very near th'
amounted moment, Mr. Wheeler be