Nevada County picayune., 1890-05-21
BY HESTERLY JOHNSON.

BY HESTERLY JOHNSON.
 It was on the morn of creation when the 'stars sang together and the first ray of light bathed it's gilt tering form in the waters of the ocean that God gave wings to Time and sent it forth to cross the chasm that divides eternity. Thus amid the music of the spheres" this winged messenger emerged forth from out the darkness and gloom on the one side, and, bearing upon its pinions the burden of a universe of worlds, began its flight toward the other.
 Oh what a vast and unbounded journey lay out before this spirit, and how grand were the charges en- trusted to its care,
 But to-day as we look with the great telescope of history down the trackless ages through which it has come and view the wrecks of crime and superstition and folly that lay strewn along it's path, we behold d faithfulness that has proven superior to every foe, and one that makes us realize what an unconquerable spirit IS Time and how fast it flies. There is no power that can cause it's speed to lessen, and no hand that can stay it's cause. For pushing aside every obstacle that meets its way and and stretching forth one hand to greet the coming guest, aud with the other bids farewell to the parting, 1t never stops to pause amid those mighty ruins which it has wrought, but keeps onward at its rapid flight.
 To-day we are thrown upon it's wings, and tomorrow we are dropped behind Oh what short swift flight for us, How important then that we endeavor to make this brief stay one in which our lives will be to enough purpose that it will have caused the mist of ignorance and sup erstition that surround us to be swept away, and we permitted to stand out upon the course of Time Tn full view of eternity. Yet we must make the best life if we would have it so- Time does not wait. To-day it of fers us opportunities, and tomorrow they are either transformed into the happy results of our having grasped them, or they are gone forever.
 To-day it gives us ability and to- morrow there must be reward for its use or it is taken from us. Oh how important then to catch this moving spirit when it is best able to carry Us over the difficulty.
 There may be some who would have it's speed to slacken-who would rather endure the slow prog ress of ages ago than the rapid ad- vannement of to-day, yet the most of us are willing to let it bring Us in- to the richer fields of the future with as rapid a speed as possible. While some are living upon the old-fash- toned things of fifty years ago, there are others who catch up the motion of it's progress and give themselves the benefit of new results.
 We can never hope to gain any ad- vantage over this messenger, It is king of all things and ruleth after all others have fallen. There may be great masters of this world who gath CT unto themselves strength and honor and glory, and for time exert a powerful influence over circum- stances, but there comes unto them q day of weakness and dethronement. Great mountains may rear to heaven their turbaned peaks, but they too must crumble and fall. Mighty cities rise up, and monarchies seem to rule the world, but only a short, brief day of glory and they go down. Nature herself does wonders to compete with Time, yet all shall perish before the mightiness of his fierce career.
 It has conquered the past, and it is advancing upon the hosts of the future. Will we be able to lay claim to any part of the victory when the battle is won? Can we put our hand upon the flagstaff of the banner and say it is ours? Yes, for while the Flight of Time is rapid, and our course with it is short, we can all he able to leave our impress upon it, which will be strength unto others.
 And at last when the key shall be placed in the door and Time has thrown open the portals, and at the feet of it's Governor laid the precious burden of its accumulated wealth, may our share be a just reward for the part we took in making Time s fight more rapid.
 The journey has been long, and indeed there is much yet to pass over before an end is reached, but Time will not weary, for
 "On, still on,
 He presses and forever. The proud bird,
 The Condor of the Andes, that can soar
 Through heaven's unfathomable depths, or brave Tho fury of the northern hurricane
 And bathc his plumage in the thunders home,
 Eur. his broad wings at night-iall and sinks down To rest upon the mountain eraig-but Time Knows not the weight of sleep or wearncss' And nights deep darkness has no chain to bind His rushing pinion"