The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-02
A Talk with "Father Time"

Juso ocioIe uuSh CuTlStluaS evening.
Without breaking his steady, even
gait, he seemed to answer, "No hurry
no hurry at all, just going my regular
pace, and can't stop, or other folks
would miss me; if you wal 10 talk
to me you'll have to catch up and &C
along" .> .'...... -
Finding he wouldn't stop, ran out
and after reaching his side found
must still trot along to keep up, for
although he seemed to be not moving
hurriedly, his pace was so regular thai
it seemed rapid. Most out OF breath
[ begged him, Cant you slow up just
a little, Father Time, this speed is too
much for me-" .,.
"No, my friend,-it's your fault
you are not used to steady, methodical
licks, that's what bolhers YOU" Strid-
ing along easily, l painting to keep
up. .
"You see, if waited for you, some.
body else would be thrown out OF
time" the old man resumed pleasant
ly. eff every one came up to the
scratch, there'd he 10 calling after me
to stop or wait. With all the time
there is haven't a single moment to
spare: must 10 on always"
Being persuaded Father Time would
keep on preaching and gently scolding
me land many of my brothers, over
my shoulders) sought to divert him,
so, "Father Time,n said T, "you're
most to another years end: you must
have seen and heard lots of queer
things during this trip"
."Yes, yes, friend, I have that. II
everybody knew all know, I think next
year would be great deal happier all
over the world. But it seems that
people won't learn from even the little
they do see and hear. Why, when ]
started out this year, + thought from
the millions Of good resolutions Iheard
folks making that everything would
go on better. But I haven't seen much
change one way or another men don't
love each other any better, they don't
treat one another fairer, and they
seem to care more about themselves
than they used to. If ! wasn't SC
busy I'd get .disheartened, 1 be-
lieve." .-"
Here the old man sighed, ora gust
of wind sobbed through the trees on
the roadside.
'People are so busy"-(I tried to cay
something excusing)- g..
"No, no, that's not it," Father Time
interrupted, "they have plenty OF
time if they'd use it right. They
won't do it, though, and they
won't think, and then they fall tc
blaming me. But I don't min'l,- u
know Pm doing just right by. all o1
'em. They waste many precious min
utes in worrying that they haven't
more (Which, if they had them, would
probably also be thrown away, and SC
they accomplish little or nothing"
"But, Father Time," Iput in, again
trying to divert him from scolding his
children, "tell me some of the strange
things you've seen this year you &C
about so much know you can tell
greater tales than any other traveller
II see the same things over and ovel
80 often that they don't seem so queer
to me Though, in one way, I can't
ever keep from wondering why peo'
pie never learn anything. | see babies
born every day, and see old people
laid in their graves every day, but the
life.s stories are all pretty much as they
have been all along. Hurry, worry
and short-sighted seltishness,-thats
the tale I hear around me. A year OF
century is of little account to me,
and I remember we'll, good while
ago, when baby was born over yop-
der in Bethlehem. and it was said men
would learn from him TO he better
And many have learned a good deal,
but even after he gave his life to teach
them and help them and bless them,
most people take it out in just learn
ing, without putting in practice what
he taught. Why, here are you people
celebrating his birth to-day, but you
don't do it like he'd have it done.
Now, you, sir, [speaking rather stern
ly instead of running after me to gos'
sip, and wasting time,-why haven't
you been helping Some poorer fellow
get Christmas really in his heart
but I suppose you, like the rest of 'em
have put about all you know Of Christ
mas into your stomach"
7 was taken aback at the old mans
bluffness, or, as I thought, rudeness
Still I wanted Il hopeful word or two
and asked him if .he hadn't any good
news to tell.
"Of course l have, for although it's
an old story, I suppose you have for,
gotten it. That Bethlehem baby
spoke of, when he was grown to man
hood, told the people of the kingdom
of God, his father, and urged them to
seek an entrance there, counting
worthless all earthly ties. And as
suppose you'll be making New ieal