Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-03-09

e get pair of shoes or two for paymen
i for the half quarter, if manage right
5 but it will never do to go on in this way.
A little discomposed by her interview
: with the teacher, Mrs. Thompson-step
ped into neighboring grocery to pur
chase some triAing articles of family
stores.
4 have little account against you
, Will it be convenient for Mrs. Thomp.
son to settle it this EVENING"? asked the
polite shopkeeper, as he produced the
desired articles.
is it your usual time for settling?
was again the surprised inquiry.
We'll not exactly, but money is very
tight Just now and l am anxious to gel
all that is due me. In future / intend
to keep short accounts, there is little
bill, if you would like to look at it. ]
will call around this evening. 1t is but
small affair
Thirty dollars is no small sum to us
Just now and she thoughtfully pursued
lher way homewards.
1T seems strange that all these pay
ments must be met Just now, while we
are struggling to recover from the heavy
expenses of the winter. / cannot un-
derstand it,
Her perplexity was increased by find
ing her husband with two bills in his
hand, and countenance expressive OF
anxiety and concern.
Look, Mary he said as she entered,
here are two unexpected cabs for mo-
ney, one from the doctor, and one from
the dealer in leather, from whom | pur-
chased my last stock. They are both
very urgent for immediate payment, al
though they have always been willing
to wait a few months, until l could
make arrangements to meet their claims.
But misfortunes never come singly, and
if man once gets behind hand, trouble
seems to pour in upon him.
Just So replied the wife. The
neighbors think we are going down hill,
and every one is ready to give us push.
Here are two more bills for you-one
from the grocer and the other from the
teacher
Reply was prevented by knock at
the door, and the appearance of a lad
who presented neatly folded paper
and disappeared.
The butchers account, as l livep
exclaimed the astonished shoemaker
what is to be done, Mary? So much
money to be paid out, and very little
coming in; for some of my best custom
ers have left me, although my work has
always given satisfaction. If | could
only have as much employment as usual,
and the usual credit allowed me, could
soon satisfy all these claims; but to meet
them is impossible, and the acknowledge
ment of inability would send us still
faster on the downward path
we must do our best, and trust in
Providence was the consoling remark
of his wife, as a second knock at the
door aroused the fear that another
claimant was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenance of
Uncle Joshua, a rare, but ever-welcome
visitor, presented itself. Seating him
self in the comfortable chair that Mary
fastened to hand him, he said, in his &C.
centric but friendly manner:
We'll, my good folks, | understand
the world does not 90 as well with you
as formerly. What's the trouble?'
There need be no trouble was the
reply, if men would not try to add to
the Affections which the Almighty sees
to be necessary for us. The winter was
trying one. We met with sickness
and misfortGnes, which we endeavored
to bear with patience. All would now go
well if those around me were not de-
termined- to push me in the downward
path
But here lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is selfish world
EVERYBODY, or at least a great majority,
care only for number one. If they see
a poor neighbor getting down hill, their
first thought is whether it will affect
their own interests, and provided they
can secure themselves they care not how
sOOH Hc SOCS " tnC UObOOiu. 1AO Oill
way is to keep up appearances. Show
no signs of getting behind hand and all
viii 60 well with you"
Very true, Uncle Joshua, but how is
this to be done? Bills which L did not
expect to meet for the three nextmonths
are pouring in upon me. Ny best Gus
toners have left me for more fortunate
rival. In short, l am on the brink of
ruin and nought but miracle will save
me-
"A miracle which is very easy
wrought l imagine, my good friend
What is the amount of your debts which
press so heavily upon you, and how soon
in the common course of events, could
you discharge them.'
'They do not exceed one hundred
dollars replied the shoemaker, and
with my usual run of'work, l could
make all right in three or four months
I'VE will say SIX was the answer. 4
will advance you one hundred and sixty
dollars for six months. Pay every cent
you owe, and with the remainder of the
money make some slight improvement
in Jour shop or house, and put every
thing about the grounds in its usual neat
order. Try this plan for few weeks,
and we will see what effect it has upon
our worthy neighbors. No, no, never