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

J Wnlte, with an expressive shake OF thu
head, as he passed a neglected garder
and broken down fence, in one of hi
daily walks.
Bad enough was the reply of the
companion to whom the remark was ad
dressed.
'Neighbor Thompson appears to be
running down hill pretty fast can re-
member the time when everything
around his little place was trim and
tidy
He always appeared to be steady,
industrious man. rejoined the second
speaker.
have a pair of boots at 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
1 must confess that he is good work
man-but nevertheless l believe / shall
step into Jack Smiths this morning and
order a pair of boots, of which l stand
in need. l always make it rule, never
to patronize those who appear to be run
ming behind hand. There is generally
some risk in helping those who won't
help themselves
Very true, and as my wife desired
me to see about pair of shoes for her,
this morning, 1 will follow your exam
pie, and call upon Smith. He is no
great favorite of mine, however-an
idle, quarrelsome fellow
And yet he seems to be getting ahead
in the world answered the farmer,
and am willing TO give him lift
But 1 have an errand at the butchers.
l will not detain you
At the butchers they met the neigh
Dor who was the subject of their previ-
Gus conversation. He certainly presen-
ted rather shabby appearance, and in
his choice of meat, there was a regard
of 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:
i believe it is time that neighbor
Thompson and l came to settlement.
Short accounts make long friends
No time to lose 1 should say re-
marked the farmer.
Indeed! have you heard of any trou-
BILE, neighbor White?'
No, have heard nothing; but man
has the use of his own eyes, you know;
and never trust any one with my mo-
ney who is evidently going down HILL
Quite rights and 1 will send in my
bill this morning. 1 have only delayed
on account of the sickness which the
poor man has had in his family all win
ter. 1 suppose he must have run be-
hind little, but still | must take care of
number one.'
Speaking of Thompson, are you?'
observed bystander, who appeared to
take an interest in the conversation
'Going down hill, is he? l must look out
for myself, then. He owes me quite a
snug sum for leather; but on the whole,
l guess the money would be safer in my
own pocket
Here the four worthless separated,
each with his mind filed with the affairs
of neighbor 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 declared exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dressmaker, to a favorite assistant, !
as she hastily withdrew her head from
the window whence she had been gazing
on the passers by. IF thereis not Mrs.
Thompson, the shoemaker's wife, COM
ing up street with parcel in her hand.
She wants to engage me to do her work,
l suppose, but think it would be ven
ture. Every one says they are running
down hill, and it is a chance if ever l
get my pay
She has always paid US promptly,
was the reply.
True, but that was in the days of her
prosperity. / cannot afford to run any
risk
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the
refusal of Mrs. B. to do any work for
her; but as great pressure of business
was pleaded as an excuse, there was no.
thing to be said, and she soon took her
leave. Another application proved
equally unsuccessful. 1t was strange
how busy the village dress-makers had
suddenly become.
On the way home, the poor shoema-
ker's wife met the teacher of small
school in the neighborhood, where two
of her children attended.
sAhl Mrs. Thompson, am glad to
see you,' was the salutatien. Il was
about calling at your house. Would it
be convenient to settle our little account
this afternoon?'
sOur accountr was the surprised re-
ply. Surely the term has not yet ex-
piredp ~ p
Only half of It, but my present rule
is to collect money at that time. 1t is a
plan which many teachers have adopted
of late - .---v
i was not aware that there had been
any change in your rules, and ] have
made arrangements to meet your bill at
the usual time. l fear that it will not