AFTERNOON MEN.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3158, 2 April 1879, Page 4

AFTERNOON MEN.

There is a proverb which says, " What can be done at any time is never done," and which applies especially to a class who have become slaves to the habit of procrastination", the habitual postponing of everything that they are not compelled by necessity to do immediately. Now delays are not only damaging to present prospects, but they are destructive of ultimate success. A dilatory man is not to be depended upon. The slightest pretext is sufficient for him to disappoint yon. If an employe, the sooner ho is discharged the better for the employer. There are those who. may properly be called " afternoon men." They are always bußy getting ready to go to work. In the morning they walk around, carefully inspect their duties, and say, "Plenty to do to-day! I must go to work this afternoon." About three o'clock they survey what they have not done, and exclaim, |'"One thing and another have prevented me from making any head-way to-day. I'll leave it and begin bright and early tomorrow morning." One day with them is simply the reflection of another. There is nothing accomplished in a whole life, and their western sun overtakes then and finds no preparation for the wants and infirmities of age. There is nothing to look back upon but squandered time. One hour's exercise in the morning loosens the muscles of the limbs, sets the blood dancing in the veins, and fits a man physically and mentally for the day's activity; while one hour's sloth after breakfast produces a torpor from which it is almost impossible to rally. - His Fate Unknown. — "Editor of The Times P I believe ? " said a chippy, cbeeky-looking young man, as he was ushered into the inner sanctum of the London " Times." The magisterialappearing functionary behind the desk said nothing, but bowed stiffly. "It's just like working your way into a Masonic lodge to git in here. Had to get an introductory note from our Minister, and all that sort of thing, before your janitors would let me in ; but I was bound to see you before I left Europe." ll What may be your business young man ?" said the editor, in a grave searching tone. " Well, you see, you English folks are kind of slow and solemn, and you want to be woke up a little. Aint much snap about your paper, Irinstance. I was paragrapher for three years on theßudgetown Jilalherer, and my jokes got quoted all over the country. I thought perhaps you might like to ruako arrangements to liven up your columns with some original first-class American • humour." The editor just turned round and struck a little knob in the wall sharply, and in about a minute and a half two policemen entered, and, on a sign from the editor, took charge of the paragrapher, placed him in a cab, and drove rapidly away to the Tower of London. He was never seen again.—Alta California. Human life is a thing of solemn importance, and it makes a wonderful difference how we live it. Lived in one way, it is a hateful failure; lived in another, it may be a most beautiful success.