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Procrastination: He Put The Letter In His Pocket
An incident from the American Revolution illustrates what
tragedy can result from procrastination. It is reported that
Colonel Rahl, commander of the British troops at Trenton, New
Jersey, was playing cards when a courier brought an urgent
message stating that General George Washington was crossing the
Delaware River. Rahl put the letter in his pocket and didn't
bother to read it until the game finished. Then, realizing the
seriousness of the situation, he hurriedly tried to rally his
men to meet the coming attack, but his procrastination was his
undoing. He and many of his men were killed, and the rest of
the regiment were captured. Nolbert Quayle said, "Only a few
minutes' delay cost him his life, his honor, and the liberty of
his soldiers. Earth's history is strewn with the wrecks of
half-finished plans and unexecuted resolutions. "Tomorrow' is
the excuse of the lazy and the refuge of the incompetent."
