The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-01-06
GOING DOWN HILL

Bad enough was the reply Of the COM
panion to whom the remark was addressed.
'Neighbor Thompson appears to be running
down hill pretty fast. can remember the
time when everything around his little place
was trim and tidy
He always appeared to be steady, indus
trious man. rejoned the second speaker.
Il have 4 pair OF boots ut this moment, of
his make, and they have done me good
service
4 have generally employed him for myself
and family was the reply, 'and must con.
fcss that he is good workman; but never
thcessl believe shall step into Jack Smiths
this morning, and order pair Of boots, Of
which stand in need. l always make it u
rule never to patronize those who appear to
be running behind hand. There is generally
some risk in helping those who won't helr
themselves
Very true, and rs my wife desires me to
see about pair Of shoes for her, this morn
ing, will follow your example, and call upon
Smith. He is no great tavoritc of mnc
however, an idle, quarrclsome fellow
'And yet he seems to be getting ahead in
the world answered the tarmcr, 'and am
willing to give him lift. But | have an cr.
rand ut the butchers. Twill not detain you.
At the butchers they met the neighbor
who was the subject Of their previous conver-
>aton. lie certainly presented rather shah
by appearance, and in his choice Of meat,
there was Il regard 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 u somewhat anxious
air, saying, as he charged the bit of meat
4 believe it is time that ncighbor Thomp'
son and came to Il settlement. Short ac-
counts make long friends
'No time to lose, should say remarked
the farmer.
'Indrcd! have you heard Of any trouble,
neghbor Whiten
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 hill
Quite rislt and will send in my bill this
morning. have only delayed on account of
the sickness which the poor man had in his
family all winter. suppose he must have
run behind y little, but still must take care
of number one
Speaking Of Thompson, are your observ-
cd Il by,tanlrr, who appeared to take m m
terest in the conversation. Going down hill,
is he must look out for myself, then. lie
owes me quite u snug sum for leather: but
on the whole | guess the money would be
safer in my own pocket
Here the four worthless separated, each
with his mind filled with the affairs Of neigh
Dor Thompson; the probability that he was
going down hill, and the best way Of giving
him push.
In another part of the little village similar
scenes were passing.
4 declarc..' exclaimed Mrs. Bennett, the
ircssmaker, to n iavorite assistant, MS sht
hastily Withdrew her head from the windo"
whence she had been gazing on the passers
by. III there is not Mrs. Thompson, the
shoclnakcr's wife, coming up the street with
a parcel in her hand. She wants to engage
me to 10 her work, suppose, but think it
would be vcntnrc. Every one says they
are running down Hill, and it is n chance il
ever get my pay
'She has always paid us promptly, was the
reply
'1'rue, but ,la: was in the days of her pros.
pcritv. cannot afford to run the risk.
The advance of Mr.. Thompson prevented
further conversation.
She was evidently surprised ut the refusal
of Mrs. B., to do any work for her; but Il,
great pressure of business was pleaded MS an
excuse, there was nothing 10 be said, and She
soon took her leave. Another application
proved equally unsuccessful. 1t was strange
how busy the village dress.makcrs had sud
denly become. =.
On the way home, the poor shoemaker s
wife met the teacher Of n small school in the
ncighborhood, where two Of her children at
tended.
'Ah! Mrs. Thompson am glad to see you,
was the salutation. Il was about calling at
your house. Would it be convenient to SET
lie our account this afternoon!
Our account" was the surprised reply
Surely the term has not yet expired!
'On y half ,f it, but my present rule is to
collect money ut that time. II is II plan which
many teachers have adopted Of late
4 was not aware that there had been any
change in your rules, and | have made mr.
rangcments to meet your bill at the usual
time. fear that it will not be in my power
to do SO sooner
The countenancc Of the teacher showed
great disappointment, and as she passed on
in a different direction, she multered to
herself:
Just rs expected, never shall see &C Mt.
Everybody says they are going down hill.
must get rid Of the children in some way
Perhaps may get pals OF shoes or two ior
payment for the half quarter, il manage right,
but it will never do 10 70 on in this way
A little discOmposcd by her interview with
the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped into a
neighboring grocery to purchase some triiling
articles Of family stores.
4 have little account against you. Will
il DC convenient for Mr.. Thompson to settle
il this EVENING" asked the polite shOpkeepcr,
us he produced the desired articles.
is it his usual time for settins' was again
the surprised inquiry.
We'll, not exactly, but money is very tight
Just now, and am anxious to get all that is
due me. In future intend to keep short ac-
courts there is little bill, if you would like
TO look at it. ! will call around this evening.
It is but small affair
.Thlrty dollars is no small sum to us just
now and she thoushtfully pursued her way
!iomcwards.
alt seems strange that all .hese payments
must be met Just now, while We are strus-
ulin. to recover from the heavy expenses OF
the winter. cannot understand it,
Her pcrplexity was increased by finding her
husband with two bills in his hand, and
expressive OF anxiety and con-
,ern.
aLook, Mary he said, as she entered, here
are two unexpected calls for money, one from
Me dealer in leather, from whom puichas-
I'd nv last stock. They are both very ur
vcpt for immediate payment, although they
Savs always been willing to wait few
lpelhs, until could make arrangements 10
ma SAcir claims. But misior,unes never