Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-02-28
BEHIND TIME.

a Railroad train was rushing along
ut almost lightning speed. A curve
was just ahead, and beyond it was Il
station, ut which the ears usually pass
ed each other. The conductor was late,
SO late that the period during which
the down train was to wait had nearly
elapsed; but he hoped yet to pass the
curve safely. Suddenly Il locomotive
dashed into sight right ahead. In an
instant there was collision. A shrek
a shock, and fifty souls were in eterni-
ty;and all because an engineer had been
behind time.
A great battle was going on. Column
after column had been precipated for
eight mortal hours on the enemy posted
along the ridge OF hill. The summer
sun was sinking to the west; reinforce
ments for the obstinate defenders were
already in sight; it was necessary to
carry the position with one final charge
or everything would be lost. A power
| full corps had been summoned from Il.
cross the country, and ii it would come
| up in season all would be well. The
great conqueror, confident in its arrival,
formed his reserve into an attacking
column ,and ordered them to charge the
enemy. The whole world knows the
result. Grouchy failed to appear; the
imperial guard was driven back;Water-
loo was lost. Napoleon died prisoner
at st. Helena because one Of his mar.
shals wasSbehind time.
A leading.irm in commercial circles
had long struggled against bankruptcy.
AS it had enormous assets in California
it expected remittanceS by a certain
day; and, if the sums promised arrived,
its credit, its honor, and its future
prosperity would be preserved. Bnt
week after week elapsed without bring
ing the gold. At last came the fatal
day on which the firm had bills matur-
ing to enormous amounts. The steam
er was telegraphed at daybreak; but it
was found, on inquiry that she brought
no funds, and the house failed. The
next arrival brought nearly half mill
ion to the insolvents but it was too late;
they were ruined because their agent,
in renting, had been behind time.
A condemned man was led out for
execution. He had taken human life,
but under circumstances of the greatest
provocation, and public sympathy was
active in his behalf. Thousands had
signed petitions for reprive; a favor
able answer had been expected the
night before; and, though it had not
come, even the sheriff felt confident
that it would yet arrive.in season. Thus
the morning passed without the appear
ance of the messenger. The last mo-
ment had come. The prisoner took his
place on the drop, the cap was drawn
over his eyes, the bolt was drawn, and
a lifeless body swung revolving in the
wind. Just at this moment horse
man came into sight, Igalloping down
hill, his. s.steed covered with foam. He
carried a packet in his right hand,
which he waved rapidly to the crowd.
He was the express rider with the re-
pIive. But he had come too late. A
comparatively innocent man had died
an ignominious death, because watch
had been five minutes slow, making its
bearer arrive behind time.
1t is continually SO in life. The best
laid plans, the most important affairs,
the fortunes of individuals, the veal of
nations, honor, happiness, life itself,
are daily sacrificed because somebody
is "behind time" There are men who
always fail in whatever they undertake,
simply because they are behind time"
There are others who put off reforma-
ton year by year,ti death seizes them,
and they perish unrepentant, because
forever "behind time"
Five minutes in a crisis is worth
years 1t is but little period, yet it
has often saved a fortune or redeemed
people. If there is one virtue that
should be cultivated more them another
by him who would succeed in life, it is
punctuality; If there is one error that
should be avoided, it is being behind
time.