Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-03
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A Bit of Talk for Boys and Girls, by the
Late NI. H. Helen Jackson.

A Bit of Talk for Boys and Girls, by the
Late III. H. Helen Jackson.
Every body knows the timetables
that tell at what hours trains come and
go. Travellers consult them to learn
how to reach their destination; when
to start; how long they are to be on
their way; where they will make stops;
and many other things to be found out
before Journey is undertaken.
But there are other timetables, on
all railroads, of which the passengers
know nothing. These schedules are
made out for the conductors and en-
gineers, and show the exact second at
which each train is due at each station,
along the whole line of the road. You
see there are SO many trains running
both ways every day that the most ex-
act arrangements must be made for
their passing one another at the light
places. Ii a single train is behind, it
throws all the rest out of order. So
every conductor is instructed by his
timetable, where to wait, if another
train is late, how many minutes to
hold back his own train. how far he
may then push, and how long he is
again to wait. Meanwhile the bclated
conductor is instructed by his time-ta-
BILE how to avoid danger. Ii he can
not reach station at such 4 time, he
must stand still, at whatever safety
point he may have reached. till the APP
preaching train has passed him. Let
hut tln Il. Il
misinterpret his instructions and Il
frightful collision may follow. Indeed,
some of the most dreadful casualties
ever known have been caused by the
pushing on of a tram that should have
been kept back: That is why have
selected for the motto of our private
timetable: "Waitr' 1t might well be
written three times over: ''Wait,
wait! waltz If we are angry-wait!
If we are tired-wait! If we are per-
pleXed-wait!
After all, managing ourselves is not
so very unlike managing a train. As
the train must be in good Order-en-
CINE, brakes, wheels, couplings-to
make time. SO we must keep organs
and senses up to the mark, or drop be-
health, greater strength. more indus
try. will run ahead of us, do more
good, enjoy life better, improve faster.
Again, the greatest dangers that
threaten trains are collisions, and run
ming off the track. Well, don't we
stand in the same peril? l am sure
that we are too apt TO have collisions
with other people. collisions with cir
cumstances, collisions with our own
weaknesses and perversities. even.
And when we spend our time trying to
do something that We don't know how
to do; when we are idle. and hinder
busy people; when we act As if we be-
lieved that any sort of good end could
be reached without hard work, ard
steady work, and cheerful work, we
are certainly off the track.
Well. then, when we know that such
is our plight, don't YOU think that the
sooner we stop, the better? Whether it
is Il question of possible collision, as in
a rudeness to some one of the home
circle. quarrel with a friend. an I'M
kind,wor to 4 servant; or of running
off the track through headlong blum
dering, or bad preparation. or igno-
rance, or wIllfulness. we might. half
the time at least, save ourselves from
these misadventures if we took time
to think. if we remembered to ''wait."
Perhaps jingle which l have written
may help you to recall this good add
vice Gor we are apt to forget good adj
vice when we most require it, at the
moment when you find yourselves in
danger.
A NEW TIME-TABLE-"wAIT:'
When you are puzzled ami rerplexed,
Leave of the worrying debate.
And think of other things awhile:
You II see 1t clearer, il you swat
When temper rises. hot and quick,
And you are vaNed At friend or mate:
Watch your timetable. stop just there!
Save the collision. Simply wait!
Each thing in nature keeps this law,
The smallest plant abides its date
And summers heat, and winters flaw.
And storm, and calm their season wait
This ia the law that rules our lot.
And holds the whole of human fate:
He ConQuerS who has force to strive,
And equal patience has-to wait
st. Nicholas.