Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-09-28

house Would it b. convenient 10 settle our llttl'
account this afternoon 2"
Sour account" was the surprised reply
"Surely, the term has not yet expired"
"Only half Of 1t, but my present rule is 10 col
lect my money at this time. 1t is plan which
many teachers have adopted of late"
81 was not aware that there bad been an.
change in your rules, and have made arrange
ments to meet your bill at the usual time fea
that it will not be in my power to do SO sooner.
| The countenance Of the teacher showed grea
disappointment, and as she passed on In dlfferen
! direction, she muttered to herself:
"Just as expected. never shall see cent
Everybody says they are going down hill.
must get rid of the children in some way. Per
haps may get a pair o. shoes or two for payment
for the hafquarler, if manage right, but 1t vii
never do to go on in this way
A little discomposed by the interview with the
teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped into neighbor-
ing grocery 10 purchase some trifling articles o
| family stores.
81 have little account against you. Will il
be convenient for Mr.. Thompson to settle it this
evening 2" asked the polite shopkeeper,as he pro-
duced the desired article.
''Is it his usual time for settling?" was again
the surprised enquiry.
'Well not exactly, but money is very tigh,
just now, and am anxious to get all that is due
me. In future intend to keep short accounts
there is little bill, if you would like to look al
it. will call around this evening. 1t is but a
small affair.""
Thirty dollars is no small sum to US just now !,
thought Mrs. Thompson, as she thoughtfully pur-
sued her way towards home.
at seems strange that all these payments must
be met just w,while we are struggling to recov
er from the heavy expense Of the winter. | can
not understand it,"
Her perplexity was increased by finding heI
husband with two bills in his hand and counte
nance expressive of anxiety and concern.
''Look Mary" he said, as she entered. "Hert
are two unexpected calls for money one from the
doctor and one from the dealer in leather from which
purchased my last stock. They are both very
urgent for immediate payment; although they
have always been willing to wait a few month:
until | could make arrangements to meet the
| claims. But misiortunes never come single, anC
if a man once gets little behindhand, trouble
seems to pour in upon him."
Just So" replied the wife. 'The neighbo
thinks we are going down hill, and every one il
ready to give us push. Here are two more bill'
! for you-One from the grocer and the other from
the teacher"
Reply was prevented by knock at the door
and the appearance OF lad,who presented a neat
ly folded paper and disappeared.
The butchers account as live !" exclaimed
the astonished shoemaker. '.What is to b. done
Mary? So much money to be paid out and very
little coming in for some fmy best customers
! have left me, although my work has always Civ
EN- satisfaction. If | could only have as much EN-
ployment as usual, and the usual credit allowed
me. could soon satisfy all these claims but t
meet them now is impossible, and the acknowl
edgement Of my Inability would send US still OF
the downward path"
| we must do or best and trust in Providence,
was the cousoling remarks ofhi wife, as seconC
| knock at the door aroused the fear that another
claimant was about to appear.
| But the benevolent coantenance of Uncle Josh
VA, 4 rare. but ever welcome visitor, presented it
self Seating himself in the comfortable chai
that Mary hasened to hand him, he said, in his
eccentric friendly manner:
! "Well, good folks, understand The world doe
not 90 as we'll with you as formerly. What i
/ the trouble z"
There ueed be no trouble" was the reply
''if men would not try to add to the atfliction
which the Almighty sees to be necessary for us
The winter was trying one. We met will
ckness and mlstortunes, which we endeavored t
bear with patience. All would now 90 well
those around me were not determined 10 push IN
in the downward path"
But there lies the difficulty friend Thompson
This is selfish world. Everybody, or al least
great majority, care only for number one Ii the,
see poor neighbor going down hill, their frs
IL !ht i whether it will affect their own inter
"A Al.
they care not how soon he goes to the bottom-
The only way is to keep up appearances. SHOW
no sgnS of going behndhand ,and all will 90 wei
with you"
"Tery true, Uncle Joshua but how is this To b
done? Bills which did moi expect to be calle'
upon to meet for the next three months are pour
ing in upon me- My best customers are leavn!
,ne for more fortunate rival In short, am OF
the brink OF ruin, and nought but miracle ca
save me-"
A miracle which is very easily wrought then
! | imagine, my coed friend. What is the amoun
of your debts which press 50 heavily upon YOU AM
how soon in the c0rumOn course of events coul
you discharge them 2"
They do not exceed one hundred dollars' re
piled the shoemaker; land with my usual run q
work, could make all right in three or fou
months"
"We will say six," was the answer al vii
advance you one hundred and fifty dollars for si
months. Pay every cent you owe. and with h
remainder of the money make some slight additio
or improvement in your shop or house. and pu
everything about the grounds in its usual neat or
der. Try this plan tor few weeks and we viii
see what effect 1t has upon our worthy neighbors
No, no, never mind thanking me- am only try
| inn a httlo
you of old, and have no doubt that my money
safe in your hands,"
Weeks passed by. The advice of Uncle Josh
IA had been strictly followed, and the change il
the shoemaker's prospects was indeed wonderful
He was now spoken of as one of the most thriving
men in the village, and many marvellous storie
were told TO account for the sudden alteration i
his affairs.
1t was generally agreed that distant relativ
had bequeathed 10 him legacy which had entire
ly relieved him Of his pecunary difficulties. Oh
customers and new ones crowded in upon him.
They had never before realized the beauty an
durability of his work The polite butcher select
ed the best pieces of meat for his inspection, ,as h
entered, and was totally indifferent as to the tim
of payment. The teacher accompanied the chi
dren home to tea, aud spoke IN high terms of the
improvement, pronouncng them among her bes
scholars. The dress maker suddenly found hel
self free from the great press for work, and in
friendly note expressed her desire to oblige Mrs
Thompson in any way in her power,
just as expected" )" exclaimed Uncle Joshu
rubbing his hands exul,ingly,as the grateful shoe
maker called upon him at the expiration of 81
months, with the money which he had loaned i
the hour of need. Just as expected. A strang
world! They are ready to push man up hill
he seems to be ascending, and just as ready
push him down, if they find that his face is tur'