"On Time," or the Triumph of Punctuality

"On the great clock of time there is but one word—NOW."

"On the great clock of time, there is only one word: NOW."

Note the sublime precision that leads the earth over a circuit of five hundred millions of miles back to the solstice at the appointed moment without the loss of one second,—no, not the millionth part of a second,—for ages and ages of which it traveled that imperiled road.—EDWARD EVERETT.

Consider the sublime precision that guides the earth along a 500-million-mile circuit, returning it to the solstice at the appointed moment. For ages and ages, it has traveled that dangerous path without losing a second, not even a millionth of a second. EDWARD EVERETT.

"Who cannot but see oftentimes how strange the threads of our destiny run? Oft it is only for a moment the favorable instant is presented. We miss it, and months and years are lost."

“Who has not often seen how strangely the threads of our destiny run? Often, a favorable moment lasts only an instant. We miss it, and months and years are lost.”

By the street of by and by one arrives at the house of never.—CERVANTES.

The street of “later” leads to the house of “never.” CERVANTES.

"Lose this day by loitering—'t will be the same story tomorrow, and the next more dilatory."

"Waste today by doing nothing, and tomorrow will be the same story. The day after, you will be even more inclined to delay."

Let's take the instant by the forward top.—SHAKESPEARE.

Let's seize the opportunity as soon as it comes. SHAKESPEARE.

"Haste, post, haste! Haste for thy life!" was frequently written upon messages in the days of Henry VIII of England, with a picture of a courier swinging from a gibbet. Post-offices were unknown, and letters were carried by government messengers subject to hanging if they delayed upon the road.

"Hurry, messenger, hurry! Hurry for your life!" This warning was often written on messages in the days of Henry VIII of England. It appeared with a picture of a courier hanging from a gallows. There were no post offices, and government messengers carried letters. They could be hanged if they delayed on the road.

Even in the old, slow days of stage-coaches, when it took a month of dangerous traveling to accomplish the distance we can now span in a few hours, unnecessary delay was a crime. One of the greatest gains civilization has made is in measuring and utilizing time. We can do as much in an hour to-day as they could in twenty hours a hundred years ago.

Even in the slow days of stagecoaches, unnecessary delay was a crime. Back then, a dangerous journey took a month to cover a distance we can now travel in a few hours. One of civilization's greatest advances has been learning to measure and use time. Today, we can do as much in one hour as people could in twenty hours a hundred years ago.

"Delays have dangerous ends." Caesar's delay to read a message cost him his life when he reached the senate house. Colonel Rahl, the Hessian commander at Trenton, was playing cards when a messenger brought a letter stating that Washington was crossing the Delaware. He put the letter in his pocket without reading it until the game was finished, when he rallied his men only to die just before his troops were taken prisoners. Only a few minutes' delay, but he lost honor, liberty, life!

"Delays have dangerous ends." Caesar delayed reading a message, and it cost him his life when he reached the Senate house. Colonel Rahl, the Hessian commander at Trenton, was playing cards when a messenger brought him a letter. It said that Washington was crossing the Delaware. Rahl put the letter in his pocket without reading it until the game was over. He then rallied his men, but died just before his troops were taken prisoner. Only a few minutes of delay, but he lost honor, liberty, and life!

Success is the child of two very plain parents—punctuality and accuracy. There are critical moments in every successful life when if the mind hesitate or a nerve flinch all will be lost.

Success is the child of two very simple parents: punctuality and accuracy. In every successful life, there are critical moments when all will be lost if the mind hesitates or a nerve flinches.

"Immediately on receiving your proclamation," wrote Governor Andrew of Massachusetts to President Lincoln on May 3, 1861, "we took up the war, and have carried on our part of it, in the spirit in which we believe the Administration and the American people intend to act, namely, as if there were not an inch of red tape in the world." He had received a telegram for troops from Washington on Monday, April 15; at nine o'clock the next Sunday he said: "All the regiments demanded from Massachusetts are already either in Washington, or in Fortress Monroe, or on their way to the defence of the Capitol."

"Immediately after receiving your proclamation, we took up the war," Governor Andrew of Massachusetts wrote to President Lincoln on May 3, 1861. "We have done our part in the spirit we believe the Administration and the American people intend to act. We have acted as if there were no red tape in the world." Andrew had received a telegram from Washington asking for troops on Monday, April 15. At nine o'clock the following Sunday, he said: "All the regiments requested from Massachusetts are already in Washington or Fortress Monroe, or on their way to defend the Capitol."

"The only question which I can entertain," he said, "is what to do; and when that question is answered, the other is, what next to do."

"The only question I can consider," he said, "is what to do. Once I have answered that, the next question is what to do next."

"The whole period of youth," said Ruskin, "is one essentially of formation, edification, instruction. There is not an hour of it but is trembling with destinies—not a moment of which, once passed, the appointed work can ever be done again, or the neglected blow struck on the cold iron."

"All of youth," said Ruskin, "is a time for developing, building character, and learning. Every hour trembles with possibilities that shape our destinies. Once a moment has passed, its appointed work can never be done again. A neglected blow can never be struck on cold iron."

Napoleon laid great stress upon that "supreme moment," that "nick of time" which occurs in every battle, to take advantage of which means victory, and to lose in hesitation means disaster. He said that he beat the Austrians because they did not know the value of five minutes; and it has been said that among the trifles that conspired to defeat him at Waterloo, the loss of a few moments by himself and Grouchy on the fatal morning was the most significant. Blucher was on time, and Grouchy was late. It was enough to send Napoleon to St. Helena, and to change the destiny of millions.

Napoleon placed great importance on the "supreme moment," the "nick of time" that comes in every battle. Seizing that moment means victory. Missing it through hesitation means disaster. He said he defeated the Austrians because they did not know the value of five minutes. It has also been said that several small things contributed to his defeat at Waterloo. The most significant was the loss of a few moments by Napoleon and Grouchy on that fateful morning. Blucher was on time, and Grouchy was late. That was enough to send Napoleon to St. Helena and change the destiny of millions.

It is a well-known truism that has almost been elevated to the dignity of a maxim, that what may be done at any time will be done at no time.

It is a well-known saying, almost a maxim, that what can be done at any time will never get done.

The African Association of London wanted to send Ledyard, the traveler, to Africa, and asked when he would be ready to go. "To-morrow morning," was the reply. John Jervis, afterwards Earl St. Vincent, was asked when he could join his ship, and replied, "Directly." Colin Campbell, appointed commander of the army in India, and asked when he could set out, replied without hesitation, "To-morrow."

The African Association of London wanted to send Ledyard, the traveler, to Africa. They asked when he would be ready to go. “Tomorrow morning,” he replied. John Jervis, who later became Earl St. Vincent, was asked when he could join his ship. He replied, “Immediately.” Colin Campbell was appointed commander of the army in India. When asked when he could leave, he replied without hesitation, “Tomorrow.”

The energy wasted in postponing until to-morrow a duty of to-day would often do the work. How much harder and more disagreeable, too, it is to do work which has been put off! What would have been done at the time with pleasure or even enthusiasm, after it has been delayed for days and weeks, becomes drudgery. Letters can never be answered so easily as when first received. Many large firms make it a rule never to allow a letter to lie unanswered overnight.

The energy wasted putting off today’s duty until tomorrow would often be enough to do the work. And how much harder and more unpleasant it is to do work that has been postponed! What could have been done with pleasure or even enthusiasm becomes a chore after days or weeks of delay. Letters are never easier to answer than when they first arrive. Many large firms make it a rule never to leave a letter unanswered overnight.

Promptness takes the drudgery out of an occupation. Putting off usually means leaving off, and going to do becomes going undone. Doing a deed is like sowing a seed: if not done at just the right time it will be forever out of season. The summer of eternity will not be long enough to bring to maturity the fruit of a delayed action. If a star or planet were delayed one second, it might throw the whole universe out of harmony.

Being prompt takes the drudgery out of work. Putting things off usually means never doing them. What you plan to do goes undone. Doing a deed is like planting a seed. If you do not do it at just the right time, it will forever be out of season. Even the summer of eternity would not be long enough for a delayed action to bear ripe fruit. If a star or planet were delayed by one second, it might throw the whole universe out of harmony.

"There is no moment like the present," said Maria Edgeworth; "not only so, there is no moment at all, no instant force and energy, but in the present. The man who will not execute his resolutions when they are fresh upon him can have no hopes from them afterward. They will be dissipated, lost in the hurry and scurry of the world, or sunk in the slough of indolence."

"There is no time like the present," said Maria Edgeworth. "More than that, there is no time at all and no immediate force or energy except in the present. A man who does not act on his resolutions while they are fresh cannot hope to act on them later. They will fade and be lost in the rush of the world, or sink into the mire of laziness."

Cobbett said he owed his success to being "always ready" more than to all his natural abilities combined.

Cobbett said he owed his success more to being "always ready" than to all his natural abilities combined.

"To this quality I owed my extraordinary promotion in the army," said he. "If I had to mount guard at ten, I was ready at nine; never did any man or anything wait one minute for me."

"I owed my extraordinary promotion in the army to this quality," he said. "If I had to go on guard at ten, I was ready at nine. No one and nothing ever had to wait a minute for me."

"How," asked a man of Sir Walter Raleigh, "do you accomplish so much, and in so short a time?" "When I have anything to do, I go and do it," was the reply. The man who always acts promptly, even if he makes occasional mistakes, will succeed when a procrastinator, even if he have the better judgment, will fail.

"How," a man asked Sir Walter Raleigh, "do you accomplish so much in such a short time?" "When I have something to do, I go and do it," Raleigh replied. A man who always acts promptly will succeed, even if he makes occasional mistakes. A procrastinator will fail, even if he has better judgment.

When asked how he managed to accomplish so much work, and at the same time attend to his social duties, a French statesman replied, "I do it simply by never postponing till to-morrow what should be done to-day." It was said of an unsuccessful public man that he used to reverse this process, his favorite maxim being "never to do to-day what might be postponed till to-morrow." How many men have dawdled away their success and allowed companions and relatives to steal it away five minutes at a time!

A French statesman was asked how he accomplished so much work while also meeting his social obligations. He replied, "I do it simply by never putting off until tomorrow what should be done today." An unsuccessful public figure was said to do the opposite. His favorite saying was "never do today what can be put off until tomorrow." How many men have wasted their chance at success, letting companions and relatives steal it five minutes at a time!

"To-morrow, didst thou say?" asked Cotton. "Go to—I will not hear of it. To-morrow! 'tis a sharper who stakes his penury against thy plenty—who takes thy ready cash and pays thee naught but wishes, hopes, and promises, the currency of idiots. To-morrow! it is a period nowhere to be found in all the hoary registers of time, unless perchance in the fool's calendar. Wisdom disclaims the word, nor holds society with those that own it. 'Tis fancy's child, and folly is its father; wrought of such stuffs as dreams are; and baseless as the fantastic visions of the evening." Oh, how many a wreck on the road to success could say: "I have spent all my life in pursuit of to-morrow, being assured that to-morrow has some vast benefit or other in store for me."

"Did you say tomorrow?" asked Cotton. "Nonsense! I will not hear of it. Tomorrow! It is a swindler who bets his poverty against your wealth. He takes your cash and pays you nothing but wishes, hopes, and promises, the currency of idiots. Tomorrow! It is a time found nowhere in the ancient records of time, except perhaps in a fool's calendar. Wisdom rejects the word and has nothing to do with those who accept it. Tomorrow is the child of fancy and folly. It is made of the stuff of dreams and has no more substance than the fantastic visions of the evening." Oh, how many people ruined on the road to success could say: "I have spent my whole life chasing tomorrow, certain that tomorrow holds some great benefit or other for me."

"But his resolutions remained unshaken," Charles Reade continues in his story of Noah Skinner, the defaulting clerk, who had been overcome by a sleepy languor after deciding to make restitution; "by and by, waking up from a sort of heavy doze, he took, as it were, a last look at the receipts, and murmured, 'My head, how heavy it feels!' But presently he roused himself, full of his penitent resolutions, and murmured again, brokenly, 'I'll take it to—Pembroke—Street to—morrow; to—morrow.' The morrow found him, and so did the detectives, dead."

"But his resolve remained firm," Charles Reade continues in his story of Noah Skinner, the clerk who had stolen money. After deciding to repay the money, Skinner had grown drowsy and sluggish. "After a while, he woke from a heavy doze and took what seemed to be a last look at the receipts. He murmured, 'My head, how heavy it feels!' But soon he roused himself, still resolved to make amends. He murmured again, in broken words, 'I'll take it to Pembroke Street tomorrow, tomorrow.' The next day came, and the detectives found him dead."

"To-morrow." It is the devil's motto. All history is strewn with its brilliant victims, the wrecks of half-finished plans and unexecuted resolutions. It is the favorite refuge of sloth and incompetency.

"Tomorrow." It is the devil's motto. All history is littered with its brilliant victims and the wreckage of unfinished plans and unfulfilled resolutions. It is the favorite refuge of laziness and incompetence.

"Strike while the iron is hot," and "Make hay while the sun shines," are golden maxims.

"Strike while the iron is hot" and "Make hay while the sun shines" are words of wisdom.

Very few people recognize the hour when laziness begins to set in. Some people it attacks after dinner; some after lunch; and some after seven o'clock in the evening. There is in every person's life a crucial hour in the day, which must be employed instead of wasted if the day is to be saved. With most people the early morning hour becomes the test of the day's success.

Very few people recognize the hour when they begin to feel lazy. For some, it comes after dinner, for others after lunch, and for others after seven in the evening. Everyone has a crucial hour each day that must be put to use rather than wasted if the day is to be saved. For most people, the early morning hour is the test of the day’s success.

A person was once extolling the skill and courage of Mayenne in Henry's presence. "You are right," said Henry, "he is a great captain, but I have always five hours' start of him." Henry rose at four in the morning, and Mayenne at about ten. This made all the difference between them. Indecision becomes a disease and procrastination is its forerunner. There is only one known remedy for the victims of indecision, and that is prompt decision. Otherwise the disease is fatal to all success or achievement. He who hesitates is lost.

Someone once praised Mayenne's skill and courage in Henry's presence. "You are right," Henry said. "He is a great captain, but I always have a five-hour head start on him." Henry rose at four in the morning, while Mayenne rose at about ten. This made all the difference between them. Indecision becomes a disease, and procrastination is the first sign of it. There is only one known cure for those suffering from indecision: making decisions promptly. Otherwise, indecision destroys all chances of success or achievement. He who hesitates is lost.

A noted writer says that a bed is a bundle of paradoxes. We go to it with reluctance, yet we quit it with regret. We make up our minds every night to leave it early, but we make up our bodies every morning to keep it late.

A well-known writer says a bed is a bundle of contradictions. We are reluctant to go to bed, yet we regret leaving it. Every night, we decide to get up early. But every morning, our bodies decide to stay in bed late.

Yet most of those who have become eminent have been early risers. Peter the Great always rose before daylight. "I am," said he, "for making my life as long as possible, and therefore sleep as little as possible." Alfred the Great rose before daylight. In the hours of early morning Columbus planned his voyage to America, and Napoleon his greatest campaigns. Copernicus was an early riser, as were most of the famous astronomers of ancient and modern times. Bryant rose at five, Bancroft at dawn, and nearly all our leading authors in the early morning. Washington, Jefferson, Webster, Clay, and Calhoun were all early risers.

Yet most people who have become famous rose early. Peter the Great always got up before daylight. He said, "I want to make my life as long as possible, so I sleep as little as possible." Alfred the Great also rose before daylight. Columbus planned his voyage to America in the early morning, and Napoleon planned his greatest campaigns at that hour. Copernicus was an early riser, as were most famous astronomers of ancient and modern times. Bryant rose at five, Bancroft at dawn, and nearly all our leading authors rose early in the morning. Washington, Jefferson, Webster, Clay, and Calhoun were all early risers.

Daniel Webster used often to answer twenty to thirty letters before breakfast.

Daniel Webster often answered twenty to thirty letters before breakfast.

Walter Scott was a very punctual man. This was the secret of his enormous achievements. He rose at five. By breakfast-time he had, as he used to say, broken the neck of the day's work. Writing to a youth who had obtained a situation and asked him for advice, he gave this counsel: "Beware of stumbling over a propensity which easily besets you from not having your time fully employed—I mean what the women call dawdling. Do instantly whatever is to be done, and take the hours of recreation after business, never before it."

Walter Scott was a very punctual man. This was the secret of his enormous achievements. He rose at five. By breakfast, he had, as he used to say, gotten the hardest part of the day's work done. A young man who had found a job wrote to Scott for advice. Scott replied: "Beware of a habit that can easily catch you when your time is not fully occupied. I mean what women call dawdling. Do whatever needs to be done right away, and take time for recreation after work, never before it."

Not too much can be said about the value of the habit of rising early. Eight hours is enough sleep for any man. Very frequently seven hours is plenty. After the eighth hour in bed, if a man is able, it is his business to get up, dress quickly, and go to work.

You cannot say too much about the value of getting up early. Eight hours of sleep is enough for any man. Often, seven hours is plenty. After eight hours in bed, a man should get up if he is able, dress quickly, and go to work.

"A singular mischance has happened to some of our friends," said Hamilton. "At the instant when He ushered them into existence, God gave them a work to do, and He also gave them a competence of time; so much that if they began at the right moment, and wrought with sufficient vigor, their time and their work would end together. But a good many years ago a strange misfortune befell them. A fragment of their allotted time was lost. They cannot tell what became of it, but sure enough, it has dropped out of existence; for just like two measuring-lines laid alongside, the one an inch shorter than the other, their work and their time run parallel, but the work is always ten minutes in advance of the time. They are not irregular. They are never too soon. Their letters are posted the very minute after the mail is closed. They arrive at the wharf just in time to see the steamboat off, they come in sight of the terminus precisely as the station gates are closing. They do not break any engagement or neglect any duty; but they systematically go about it too late, and usually too late by about the same fatal interval."

"A strange misfortune has happened to some of our friends," said Hamilton. "The moment God brought them into existence, he gave them work to do. He also gave them enough time to do it. If they started at the right moment and worked hard enough, their time and their work would end together. But many years ago, a strange misfortune befell them. They lost a piece of their allotted time. They cannot say what happened to it, but it has surely disappeared. Their work and their time run parallel, like two measuring lines laid side by side, one an inch shorter. But their work is always ten minutes ahead of their time. "They are not inconsistent. They are never too early. They mail their letters the very minute after the mail has closed. They arrive at the wharf just in time to see the steamboat leave. They come within sight of the station just as its gates are closing. They do not break any engagement or neglect any duty. But they always attend to them too late, usually by about the same fatal interval."

Some one has said that "promptness is a contagious inspiration." Whether it be an inspiration, or an acquirement, it is one of the practical virtues of civilization.

Someone has said that "promptness is a contagious inspiration." Whether it is an inspiration or a learned habit, promptness is one of civilization's practical virtues.

There is one thing that is almost as sacred as the marriage relation,—that is, an appointment. A man who fails to meet his appointment, unless he has a good reason, is practically a liar, and the world treats him as such.

An appointment is almost as sacred as marriage. A man who misses an appointment without a good reason is practically a liar, and the world treats him as one.

"If a man has no regard for the time of other men," said Horace Greeley, "why should he have for their money? What is the difference between taking a man's hour and taking his five dollars? There are many men to whom each hour of the business day is worth more than five dollars."

"If a man doesn't respect other people's time," said Horace Greeley, "why should he respect their money? What is the difference between taking a man's hour and taking his five dollars? For many men, each hour of the business day is worth more than five dollars."

When President Washington dined at four, new members of Congress invited to dine at the White House would sometimes arrive late, and be mortified to find the President eating. "My cook," Washington would say, "never asks if the visitors have arrived, but if the hour has arrived."

President Washington dined at four. New members of Congress invited to dine at the White House sometimes arrived late. They were embarrassed to find the President already eating. "My cook," Washington would say, "never asks whether the guests have arrived, but whether the hour has arrived."

When his secretary excused the lateness of his attendance by saying that his watch was too slow, Washington replied, "Then you must get a new watch, or I another secretary."

When his secretary said he was late because his watch was slow, Washington replied, "Then you must get a new watch, or I must get another secretary."

Franklin said to a servant who was always late, but always ready with an excuse, "I have generally found that the man who is good at an excuse is good for nothing else."

Franklin spoke to a servant who was always late but always had an excuse. He said, "I have generally found that a man who is good at making excuses is good for nothing else."

Napoleon once invited his marshals to dine with him, but, as they did not arrive at the moment appointed, he began to eat without them. They came in just as he was rising from the table. "Gentlemen," said he, "it is now past dinner, and we will immediately proceed to business."

Napoleon once invited his marshals to dine with him. But they did not arrive on time, so he began eating without them. They came in just as he was getting up from the table. "Gentlemen," he said, "dinner is over, and we will get down to business immediately."

Blücher was one of the promptest men that ever lived. He was called "Marshal Forward."

Blücher was one of the quickest men to act who ever lived. He was called "Marshal Forward."

John Quincy Adams was never known to be behind time. The Speaker of the House of Representatives knew when to call the House to order by seeing Mr. Adams coming to his seat. Once a member said that it was time to begin. "No," said another, "Mr. Adams is not in his seat." It was found that the clock was three minutes fast, and prompt to the minute, Mr. Adams arrived.

John Quincy Adams was never known to be late. The Speaker of the House of Representatives knew to call the House to order when he saw Mr. Adams coming to his seat. Once, a member said it was time to begin. "No," said another, "Mr. Adams is not in his seat." The clock turned out to be three minutes fast, and Mr. Adams arrived exactly on time.

Webster was never late at a recitation in school or college. In court, in congress, in society, he was equally punctual. Amid the cares and distractions of a singularly busy life, Horace Greeley managed to be on time for every appointment. Many a trenchant paragraph for the "Tribune" was written while the editor was waiting for men of leisure, tardy at some meeting.

Webster was never late for a class in school or college. He was just as punctual in court, in Congress, and in social life. Despite the pressures and distractions of an exceptionally busy life, Horace Greeley was on time for every appointment. The editor wrote many a sharp paragraph for the "Tribune" while waiting for men of leisure who were late for a meeting.

Punctuality is the soul of business, as brevity is of wit.

Being on time is essential to business, just as being brief is essential to wit.

During the first seven years of his mercantile career, Amos Lawrence did not permit a bill to remain unsettled over Sunday. Punctuality is said to be the politeness of princes. Some men are always running to catch up with their business: they are always in a hurry, and give you the impression that they are late for a train. They lack method, and seldom accomplish much. Every business man knows that there are moments on which hang the destiny of years. If you arrive a few moments late at the bank, your paper may be protested and your credit ruined.

During the first seven years of his business career, Amos Lawrence never left a bill unpaid over Sunday. Punctuality is said to be the politeness of princes. Some men are always trying to catch up with their work. They are always in a hurry and seem to be late for a train. They lack organization and seldom accomplish much. Every businessperson knows that years of success or failure can depend on a single moment. If you arrive a few moments late at the bank, your note may be formally declared unpaid and your credit ruined.

One of the best things about school and college life is that the bell which strikes the hour for rising, for recitations, or for lectures, teaches habits of promptness. Every young man should have a watch which is a good timekeeper; one that is nearly right encourages bad habits, and is an expensive investment at any price.

One of the best things about school and college life is the way the bell teaches punctuality. It rings when it is time to get up or attend classes or lectures. Every young man should have a watch that keeps good time. A watch that is nearly right encourages bad habits and is a costly investment at any price.

"Oh, how I do appreciate a boy who is always on time!" says H. C. Brown. "How quickly you learn to depend on him, and how soon you find yourself intrusting him with weightier matters! The boy who has acquired a reputation for punctuality has made the first contribution to the capital that in after years makes his success a certainty."

"Oh, how I appreciate a boy who is always on time!" says H. C. Brown. "You quickly learn to depend on him. Soon you find yourself trusting him with more important responsibilities! A boy known for being punctual has made the first investment in the capital that will guarantee his success in later years."

Promptness is the mother of confidence and gives credit. It is the best possible proof that our own affairs are well ordered and well conducted, and gives others confidence in our ability. The man who is punctual, as a rule, will keep his word, and may be depended upon.

Promptness builds confidence and earns trust. It is the best possible proof that our affairs are well organized and managed. It also gives others confidence in our ability. A punctual man will usually keep his word and can be depended on.

A conductor's watch is behind time, and a terrible railway collision occurs. A leading firm with enormous assets becomes bankrupt, simply because an agent is tardy in transmitting available funds, as ordered. An innocent man is hanged because the messenger bearing a reprieve should have arrived five minutes earlier. A man is stopped five minutes to hear a trivial story and misses a train or steamer by one minute.

A conductor's watch is slow, and a terrible train collision occurs. A major firm with enormous assets goes bankrupt. Its agent simply failed to send available funds on time, as ordered. An innocent man is hanged because the messenger carrying a reprieve arrived five minutes too late. A man stops for five minutes to hear a trivial story and misses a train or steamship by one minute.

Grant decided to enlist the moment that he learned of the fall of Sumter. When Buckner sent him a flag of truce at Fort Donelson, asking for the appointment of commissioners to consider terms of capitulation, he promptly replied: "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works." Buckner replied that circumstances compelled him "to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose."

Grant decided to enlist as soon as he learned that Sumter had fallen. At Fort Donelson, Buckner sent him a flag of truce. He asked Grant to appoint commissioners to discuss surrender terms. Grant promptly replied: "I can accept no terms except immediate and unconditional surrender. I intend to attack your defenses immediately." Buckner replied that circumstances forced him "to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms you propose."

The man who, like Napoleon, can on the instant seize the most important thing and sacrifice the others, is sure to win.

A man who, like Napoleon, can instantly grasp what matters most and sacrifice the rest is sure to win.

Many a wasted life dates its ruin from a lost five minutes. "Too late" can be read between the lines on the tombstone of many a man who has failed. A few minutes often makes all the difference between victory and defeat, success and failure.

Many lives have been ruined because of five minutes lost. You can read "Too late" between the lines on many a failed man's tombstone. A few minutes often make all the difference between victory and defeat, success and failure.