The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-03-02


lift. But | have an errand at the
butchers. | will not detain YOU
At the butchers they met the neigh
Dor who was the subject Of their previous
conversation. He certainly presented
very shabby appearance, and in his
choice Of meat, there was a regard to
economy which did not escape the OBJ
servaton of farmer White. After pass
ing remarks the poor shoemaker took
his departure, and the utcher opened
his account book with Il somewhat anx-
ious air, saying as he charged the bit of
meat,
{ | believe it is time that neighbor
Thompson and | came to u settlement.
Shot accounts make long friends
No time to lose, | should say re-
marked the farmer.
Indeed have you heard of any
trouble, farmer White =
No, | have heard nothing, Lpt u
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 right, and l will send in my
bill this morning. | have only delayed
it on account Of the sickness which the
poor man had in his family all winter
| suppose he must have run behind IL
little, | mu t take care IF number one )
Speaking of iGhbor Thompson, are
you;' observed by standtr, who APP
peared to take an intelSst in the con =
velsation. Going down hill is he, |
must look out for myself, then He
owes me quite sum for leather and
| did intend to give him another months
credit, but, on the whole, think the
money is SAFER in my own pocket
Here the four worthless separated,
each with his mind filled with the affairs
Of neighbor Thompson-the probability
that he was going down hill, and the
best way to give him push.
In another part of the little village,
similar scenes were passing.
| declare = exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the drcssmaker, to tavolite assistant,
as she hastily withdrew her head from
the window whence she had been gazing
on the passers by, it there is not Mrs.
Thompson, the shoemaker's wife, com
ing up the street with Il parcel in her
hand ! She wants TO engage me 20 do her
work, | suppose, but | think it would
be risk Every one says they are
running down hill, and it is u 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. l cannot afford to run
any risk
The entrance Of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented farther conversation
She was evidently surprised at the
refusal of Mrs. Bennett to do any work
for her, but as the great pressure of
business was pleaded as an excuse,
there was nothing more to be said, and
she soon took her leave. 1t was strange
how busy the village drcssmakcrs had
suddenly become
On the way home the poor shoemak-
cr's wife met the teacher Of small
school in the neighborhood, where two
ot her children attended.
All Mrs. Thompson, | am glad to
see you,' was the salutaton l was
about calling at your house. Would it
be convenient to settle our little account
his afternoon =
Our account = was the surprised re-
ply. Surely the term has not yet ex-
pired =
Only half Of it, bat my present rule
S to collect money at that time. 1t is
! plan which many teachers have adopt
ID of late
i was not aware that there had been
my change in your rules, and l had
made arrangements TO meet your bill
1t the usual time. / fear that it will
lot be in my power to do so sooner
The countenance Of the teacher show
ID great disappointment, and as she
passed 90 in q different direction, he
nuttored 10 himself:
Just sI expected, I never sholl