The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-12-15
Going Down Hill,

aThat looks bad" exclaimed farmer
White with an expressive shake of the
head, as he passed neglected garden
and broken down fence, in one of his
daily walks. Bad enough" was the
reply of the companion to whom the
remark was addressed.
"Neighbor Thompson appears 10 be
running down hill pretty fast. I can
remember when everything around
his little place was trim and tidy"
He always appeared 10 be steady,
industrious man." rejoined the second
speaker.
/ have pair of boots on my feet
at this moment-of his make, aud they
have doae me good service"
g have generally employed him for
myself and family was the reply.
" and must confess that he is good
workman but nevertheless, | believe
I shall step into Jack Smiths this morn
ing, and order pair of boots, of which
I stand in need. always make il a
rule never to patronize those who ap.
pear to be running behind hand. There
is generally some risk in helping those
who won't help themselves
Very true; and my wife desires me
TO see about pair of shoes for her this
morning. will follow your example
and call upon Smith. He is moi great
favorite of mine, however an idle
quarrelsome fellow
And yet he seems TO be getting
ahead in the world,n answered the far
mer, land am willing to give him a
lift. Bot | have an errand at the butch
et's, | will not detain you"
At the butchers they met the neigh
Dor who was the subject of their previ-
ous conversation. He certainly pre-
sented rather shabby appearance, and
in his choice of meat there was a re-
gard to economy which did not escape
the observation of farmer White After
passing remarks, the poor shoemaker
took his departure and the butcher
opened his account book with some
what anxious air, saying, as he charged
the bit of meat
!" / believe 1t is time that neighbor
Thompson and / come to settlement.
Short accounts make long friends"
No, time 10 lose, should say, re-
marked the farmer.
Indeed Have you heard of any
trouble, neighbor White %
" No: | have heard nothing but
man has the use of his own eyes, YOU
know and ! never trust any one with
my money who is evidently going down
hiil.n -,-=-zs..-
sQuite right; and | will send my
bill this evening. | had only delayed
on account of the sickness the poor man
has hal in his family all winter sup
posed he must have run behind little,
but still | must take care of number
oae.n
Speaking of Thompson, are you w
observed bystander, who appeared 10
take an interest In the Conversations
Going down hill, is he !! must look out
for myself, then. He owes me quite
snug sum for leather. | did intend to.
give him another months credit, but
on the whole ! guess the money would
be safer in my own pocket
Here our four worthless separated,
each with his mind filled with the
affairs of neighbor Thompson, the pro.
bability that be was going down hill,
and the best way of giving him push.
In another part of the little village
similar scenes were passing.
g declare" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dressmaker, to a favorite assistant,
as she hastily Withdrew her head from
The windoN, whence she had been
gazing on the passefs-by; "if there is
not Mrs. Thompson, the shoemaker's
wife, coming up the steps with parcel
In her hand. She wants me to do her
work, ! suppose, but I think it would be
a venture. Every one. says they are
running down hill, and it chance if |
ever get my pay"
" She always has paid US promptly"
was the reply.
" True but that was in the days of
her prosperity. ] cannot afford TO run
any fisk.n ..s aa... saf
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the
refusal Of Mrs. Bennett to do any work
Aoa A4St 0uk 90 q iCah PI0ssuiC va DuSl-
ness was pleaded as an excuse, there
was nothing to be said, and she soon
'ook her leave. Another application |
proved equally unsuccessful. Il was
strange how busy the village dress
makers bad suddenly become.
On the way home the poor shoe
makers wife met the teacher of small |
'chool In the neighborhood, where two,
t her children attended.
Es1Ah, Mrs. Thompson, Il am glad TO
ZEE you,D was the salutation. !" I was
sbout calling at your house. Would IT
10 convenient to settle our little ae-
'ount this afternoon g''
Our accountm was the surprised
eply.c aSurely the term has not yet
.xpiredp
sOnlR half of it !; but my. present
pla is torslleet my money at that
lme. II is plan-Swhich many teach
'rs have adopted of Aateu -
= vas not aware that there had
'een any shange in yoq el-sles, and I
ave made aFang gementSa 10 meet your
i'll at the usual siInac. I fear that it