Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-02-19
EVENING STAR.
G ING WN HILL.
BY SOLOMAN HOWERT

| fence, In one OF his daily walks
4" Bad enough" was the reply Of the COM
| panion to whom the remark was addressed
Neighbor Thompson appears to be running
time when everything around his little place
was trimmed tidy "
| "It is quite the contrary now," retu rned
the farmer. 'House, out buildings, and
grounds all show the want of the master
care; L am afraid Thompson is in the down
ward path -
"He always appeared to be a steady, in.
dustrious man" rejoined the second speaker
| 81 have pair of boots on my fee, at this mo
ment Of his make and they have done me
| good service"
q have generally employed him for my
self and family" was the reply, q and must
confess that he is good workman; but, new
ertheless, believe L shall step into Jack
Smiths this morning, and order a pair of
boots that L need. l always make it rule
never to patronize those who appear to be
running behind hand. There is generally
some risk in helping those who do not help
| themselves"
| Very true; and as my wife desired me to
see about pair Of shoes for her this morning,
l Will fellow your example and call upGn
Smith. He is no great favOrite of mine, how
ever-an idle, quarrelsome fellow"
"And yet he seems to be getting ahead in
the world" answered the farmer, and an
| willing to give him q lift. But L have an er-
rand at the butcher s-step in with me for
| moment, L will not detain you -
At the butcher's they met the neighbor who
| had been the subject of their previous con-
| versation. He certainly presented rather a
shabby appearance, and in his choice OF meat
there was regard to economy which did not
| escape the observation of farmer White AT
| ter few passing remarks, the poor shoemaker
TOOK his departure, and the butcher opened
his account book with somewhat anxious air,
| saying, as he charged the bit of meat:
81 believe it is time that neighbor Thomp
son and l come to settlement. Short ac-
counts make long friends
Z" No time to lose, I should say" remarked
the farmer.
" Indeed Have you heard of any trouble
neichbor " hite7'
"No, have heard nothing; but man has
the use of his own eyes, you know and L
never trust any one with my money who is
evidently going down hill
"Quite right; and will send in my bill
this evening have only delayed on account
Of the sickness the poor man has had in his
family all winter. l suppose he must have
run behind hand little, but still must take
care Of number one."
Speaking of Thompson, are you ?" OBJ
served by-stander, who appeared to take al
interest. Going down hill, ia he? must
look out for myself, then. He owes me quite
a snug sum for leather. L did intend to give
him another month credit; but, on the whole,
l guess the money would be as safe ia 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 of giving him a
push.
In another part of the little village similar
scenes were passing
"I declare" :" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett, the
dress maker, to favorite, as she hastily with
drew her head from the window whence she
had been gazing on the passers- by, elf there
is net Mrs. Thompson, the shoemaker's wife,
coming up the steps with parcel in her hand
She wants to engage me to do her spring work,
l suppose, but think it would be a venture
Every one says they are running down hill,
and its chance if ever get my pay"
She always has paid US promptly" was
the reply.
"True; but that uas in the DAYS of her
prosperity. cannot afford to run any risks"
The entrance of Mrs. Thompso1 prevented
further conversation. She was evidently sur
prised at the refusal Of Mrs Bennett to DO any
work for her, but as great pressure of business
was pleaded as an excuse, there was nothing
to be said, and she coon took leave. Another
application proved equally unsuccessful 1t
was strange how busy the village dress-makers
had suddenly become.
On her return home, the poor shocmaker's
wife met the teacher Of small school in the
neighborRood, where two OF her children at
tended
All! Ms. Thompson, L am glad to see
you, was the salutstion. Il was about call
ing at your house. Would it be convenient
to settle our little account this afternoon ga
Z" Our account! 20 was the surprised reply
"SHrely, the term has not yet expired :"
Only half of it, but my present rule is to |
collect my money at that time. 1t is a plan |
which many teachers have adopted of late "
q was not aware that there had been any |
change in your rules, and / have made ar |
rangements to meet the bill at the usual time
fear it would not be in my power to do 60
sooner"
The countenance Of the teacher showed
great disappointment, and as she passed on in
different direction, she muttered to herself: /
"Just as / expected. l shall never get
cent. Everybody says they are going down
hill. must get rid of the children in some
way; Perhaps may get q pair of shoes or
two for payment for the half quarter, if
manage right, but it will never do to 90 on in
this way"
little discomposed by her interview with
the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped into
grocery to purchase some trifing article of
family stores.
81 have little account against you Will
IL Dc COuN0ulout AOE Xul luOmpSOn 10 seItl6 IL
this evening"" asked the civil shopkeeper, as |
he produced the desired article
{" Is it his usual time for settling ~ was |
again the surprised inquiry.
w ell, not exactly, but money is very tight /
just now, and / am anxious to get in all that |
is Due me In future, intend keeping short |
accounts. Here is your little bill, if you would |
like to look at it. l will call around this |
evening. It's but a small affair"
"Thirty dollars is no small sum to US just |
now, thought Mrs. Thompson, as she thought |
fully pursued her way towards home.
at seems strange that all these payments |
must be met Just now, while We are struggling |
to recover from the heavy expenses Of the |
winter 1 cannot understand it" |
Her perplexity was increased upon finding
her husband with two bills in his hand, and
n countenance expressive Of anxiety and con. |
cern.
"LoOk, Mary" he said, as she entered.
" Here are two unexpected calls for money |
one from the doctor, and the other from the |
dealer in leather from whom purchased my |