4. 5. A world of blossoms for the bee, What plant we in this apple-tree? While children come, with cries of glee, And when, above this apple-tree, And guests in prouder homes shall see, The fruit of the apple-tree. 6. The fruitage of this apple-tree Winds, and our flag of stripe and star Shall bear to coasts that lie afar, Where men shall wonder at the view * Cintra is a town in Portugal situated in a region where excellent grapes are grown. The Equator or equinoctial circle. 7 8. 9. And ask in what fair groves they grew; 5 And sojourners beyond the sea Shall think of childhood's careless day Each year shall give this apple-tree 7 6 A deeper maze of verdurous gloom, And time shall waste this apple-tree. What shall the tasks of mercy be, "Who planted this old apple-tree?" The children of that distant day Thus to some aged man shall say; And, gazing on its mossy stem, The gray-haired man shall answer them : "A poet of the land was he, Born in the rude but good old times; On planting the apple-tree." 1. A RAILROAD train was rushing along at almost lightning speed. A curve was just ahead, beyond which was a station at which the cars usually passed 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 a locomotive dashed into sight right ahead. In an instant there was a collision. A shriek, a shock, and fifty souls were in eternity; and all because an engineer had been behind time. Column1 after col 2. A great battle was going on. umn had been precipitated for eight mortal hours on the enemy posted along the ridge of a hill. The summer sun was sinking to the west; reënforcements2 for the obstinate defenders were already in sight; it was necessary to carry the position with one final charge, or everything would be lost. 3. A powerful corps had been summoned from across the country, and if it came up in season all would yet be well. The great conqueror, confident in its arrival, formed his reserve3 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 beaten back; Waterloo was lost. Napoleon died a prisoner at St. Helena because one of his marshals was behind time. * 4. A leading firm 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. But week after week elapsed without bringing the gold. At last came the fatal day on which the firm had bills maturing to enormous amounts. The steamer 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 a million to the insolvents, but it was too late; they were ruined because their agent, in remitting, had been behind time. 5. 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 a reprieve, a favorable 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 Napoleon Bonaparte, emperor of France, was defeated by the Allies under the Duke of Wellington, at Waterloo, June 18, 1815. Marshal Grouchy (pronounced Grôshe') was expected to aid the emperor with a body of troops, but failed to appear. ance of the messenger. The last moment was up. 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 that moment a horseman came into sight, galloping down hill, his 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 reprieve. But he had come too late. A comparatively innocent man had died an ignominious death, because a watch had been five minutes too slow, making its bearer arrive behind time. 6. It is continually so in life. The best laid plans, the most important affairs, the fortunes of individuals, the weal 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 reformation year by year, till death seizes them, and they perish unrepentant, because forever "behind time." Five minutes in a crisis is worth years. It is but a little period, yet it has often saved a fortune or redeemed a people. If there is one virtue that should be cultivated more than 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. 1 CŎL'UMN. A body of troops in deep | MA-TŪRING. Ripening; coming to a files, with narrow front. 2 RE-EN-FORCE'MENTS. Supplies of additional troops. 8 RE-SERVE'. A select body of troops kept in the rear of an army in action, to give support when required. AS'SETS. Property or effects. perfected state. Bills or notes mature when they become due. 6 IN-SŎL'VENT. One who cannot pay his debts. RE PRIEVE'. A suspension of a sentence of death. |