The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-25

you WouIu llkc 10 look at 1t. l will call
around this evening. It's but small af.
fair"
"rhirty dollars is no small sum to us lust
now," thought Mrs. Thompson, rs she
thought fully pursued her way towards home.
ltseems strange that all these payments
must be met just now, while wc are struo.
Cling 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, will,
countenance of anxiety and concern.
Look, Mary" he said rs she entered.
"llcre are two unexpected calls for money ;
one from the doctor, and the other from the.
dealer in leather, from whom purchased
my. last stock. They are both very urgent
Tor immediate payment, although they have
always been willing to wait few months
until could make arrangements to meet
their claims. But misfortunes never come
single, and If man once gets little be-
hind hand, trouble seems to pour in upon
him." f"
Just So" sail his wife, .sThc neie lbors
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 appearance Of lad who prcsen-
ted neatly folded paper and disappeared.
The butchers account, as live!" ex-
claimed the honest shoemaker. "What is
to Le done, Mary? So much money to be
paid out, and very little coming in; for
some of my best customers have left me, al
though my work has always given satisfac-
ton. If could only have as much en-
ployment as usual, and the usual credit al
lowed inc. could soon satisfy their claims
but to meet them now is impossible, and the
acknowledgment of my inability will send
us still fur,hncr OH the downward path"
ave must do our best and trust to provi-
dence," was the consoling remark of his
wife, us second knock at the door aroused
the fear that another claimant was about
to appear.
but the benevolent countenancc Of Uncle
Joshua, rare but ever welcome visitor pre.
scented itself. Seating himself in the com.
Portable CHAIR which Mary hastened to hand
him, he sa id, in his somewhat eccentric but
friendly manner:
"Well, good folks, understand that the
world does not go quite as well with you as
formally. What is the troublc!"
There nee'! be no trouble, sir" was the
reply "if man would not try to add to the
Affections which the AImi ghty sees to he
necessary for us. The winter was n trying
one, We met with sickness and misfortune,
which we end"avorcd to bear with patience.
All would now go well, if these around were
not determined to push me in the downward
path"
"But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is selfish world every
body, orsat least great majority, care only
for humber one. II they sec poor neigh
Dor going down hill, their first thought is
whether it will affect their own interests !;
and provided they can Secure themselves,
care not how soon he goes to the bottom.
The only way is to keep up appearances,
show no signs of going behind hand all will
so well with you."
Every true, Uncle Joshua; but how is
this to be done? Bills which l did not ex-
pect to be called upon to meet for the next
three months are pouring in upon me, my
best customers are leaving ME for moro
fortunate rival J.; in short, am upon the
brink of ruin, and naught but q miracle can
save me-"
IA miracle which is very easily wrought
then, imagine, my good friend. What is
the amount Of these debts that press so
heavily upon ; and how soon in tile CON-
mon course OF events, could you discharge
them 2"
"They do not exceed one hundred dol
lar" !" replied the shoemaker; Sand with my
usual run of work could make all right il,
three or four months"
We will say six" was the answer. II
will advance you one hundred and fifty
dollars for six months. Pay every cent
that you owe, aud with the remainder OF
tile money make some slight addition or
Improvement in your shop or house, and
put every thing about the grounds in its
usual neat order. Try this plan for a few
weeks, and see what effect it will have upon
our worthy neighbors. No, never mind
thanking me. am only trying little ex.
pertinent of human nature. | know YOU
Of old, and have no doubt that my money
is safe in your hands,"
Weeks passed by. The advice of Uncle
ooSpoo bno OCCu lOlIO"CO duu Lu6 CllanHe
in tho shoemaker's prospects was. indeed
wonderful. lie was now spoken of rs one
of the most thriving men in the village
and many marvellous stories were told to
account for the sudden alteration in his af-
fairs. 1t was generally agreed that dis
tant relative had bequeathsd to him leg.
acy which had entirely relieved him of hi
peeuniary difficulties.
Old customers and new ones crowded in
upon him. They had never before real
lied the beauty and durability Of his work
The polite butcher selected the best piece
Of beef for his. inspection, as be entered, and
was totally nI indifferent as to The time Of pay
ment. The teacher accompanied TIL
children home to tea, and spoke in high
terms Of theizi Improvement, pronouncing
them among her best scholars, The disss
maker suddenly found ahenslf free Iron
the great press OF work, and tihsa friendly