ivilization the prompter is everything
done. In countries without railroads, as in Eastern countries,
everything is behind time. Everybody is indolent and lazy.

The world knows that the prompt man's bills and notes will be paid on
the day they are due, and will trust him. People will give him credit,
for they know they can depend upon him. But lack of promptness will
shake confidence almost as quickly as downright dishonesty. The man who
has a habit of dawdling or listlessness will show it in everything he
does. He is late at meals, late at work, dawdles on the street, loses
his train, misses his appointments, and dawdles at his store until the
banks are closed. Everybody he meets suffers more or less from his
malady, for dawdling becomes practically a disease.

"You will never find time for anything," said Charles Buxton; "if you
want time you must make it."

The best work we ever do is that which we do now, and can never repeat.
"Too late," is the curse of the unsuccessful, who forget that "one
to-day is worth two to-morrows."

Time accepts no sacrifice; it admits of neither redemption nor
atonement. _It is the true avenger._ Your enemy may become your
friend,--your injurer may do you justice,--but Time is inexorable, and
has no mercy.

Then stay the present instant, dear Horatio:
Imprint the marks of wisdom on its wings.
'Tis of more worth than kingdoms! far more precious
Than all the crimson treasures of life's fountain.
O! let it not elude thy grasp; but, like
The good old patriarch upon record,
Hold the fleet angel fast until he bless thee.
--NATHANIEL COTTON.

CHAPTER XII.

THOROUGHNESS.

Doing well depends upon doing completely.
--PERSIAN PROVERB.

He who does well will always have patrons enough.
--PLAUTUS.

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or
make a better mouse-trap than his neighbor, though he build his
house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his
door.
--EMERSON.

I hate a thing done by halves. If it be right, do it boldly; if
it be wrong, leave it undone.
--GILPIN.

No two things differ more than Hurry and Dispatch. Hurry is the
mark of a weak mind, Dispatch of a strong one. * * * Like a
turnstile, he (the weak man) is in everybody's way, but stops
nobody; he talks a great deal, but says very little; looks into
eve