Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-06-23

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misfortunes never come single, and if a
man once gets a little behind hand,
trouble seems to pour in upon his"
"Just so," replied his wife. "The
neighbors 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
grocer and the other from the teacher u
Reply was prevented by knock al
the door, and the appearance of lad
who presented a neatly folded paper and
disappeared.
"The butchers account, as l livel'
exclaimed the astonished shoemaker
'What is to be done, Mary? So much
money TO be paid out, and very little
coming in; for some of my best custom
ers have left me, although my work has
always given good satisfaction. If
could only have employment as usual,
and the usual credit allowed me, could
soon satisfy all these claims; but 10 meet
them now is impossible, and the acknowl-
edgment of my inability will send us
still farther on the downward path"
1--WE must trust in providence" was
the consolatory remark of his wife, as a
second knock at the door aroused the
fear that another claimant was about 10
appear.
But the benevolent countenance of
Uncle Joshua, rare but welcome visit
or, presented itself. Seating himself in
the comfortable chair which Mary hast
ened to hand him, he said, in his some
what eccentric, but friendly manner:
"Well, good folks, L understand that
the world does not go quite as well with
you as formerly. What is the trouble?"
"There need be no trouble, SIR" was
the reply, ''if man would not add to the
Affections which the Almighty sees to be
necessary for us. The winter was a
trying one. We met with sickness and
and misfortunes which we endeeavored
to bear with with patience. All would
now go well if those around were not
determined TO push me in the downward
path"
"But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is selfish world
Everybody, or at least great majority
care only for number one. If they see
poor neighbor going down hill, their
first thought is whether it will affect their
own interests, and provided they can Sc
cure themselves, they care not how soon
be goes to the bottom. The only way
is to keep up appearances. Show no
signs of going behind hand, and all will
go well with YOU
Every true, Uncle Joshua, but how is
this to be done? Bills that l did not
expect to be called upon 10 meet for the
next three months, are pouring in upon
me. Ny best customers are leaving me
for more fol tunate rival. In short, 1
am on the brink of ruin, and nought save
a miracle can save me-"
ga miracle which is very easily
wrought then, L imagine, my good friend.
What is the amount of these debts which
press so heavily upon you, and how
soon, in the common course of events,
could you discharge them!'
"They do not exceed one hundred dol
lars" replied the shoemaker, "and with
my usual run of work, could make it
all right in three or four months"
"We will say SIX" was the answer.
81 will advance you one hundred and
fifty dollars for six months. Pay every
cent you owe; and with the remainder
of the money wake some slight addition
or improvement in yonr shop or house,
and put everything about the grounds
in its usual neat order. Try this plan
for few weeks and we will see what ef-
feet il has upon our worthy neighbors.
No, no, never mind thanking me. L
am only trying an experiment on human
nature. know you of old, and have no
doubt that my money is safe in your
hands"
Weeks passed by. The advice Of I'm
Gle Joshua had been strictly followed,
and the shoemaker's prospects was in
deed wonderful. He was spoken of as
one Of the most thriving men in the vii
lage, and many marvellous stories were
tod to account for the sudden alteration
in his affairs. 1t was generally agreed
that distant relative had bequeathed
TO him legacy, which had entirely re
lieved him Of his pecuiary difficulties.
Old customers and new ones crowded in !
upon him. They had never before re-
allied the beauty and durability of his
work. The polite butcher selected the
best piece of meat for his inspection as
he entered, and was totally Indifferent
to the time of payment. The dealer in
leather called to inform him that his
best hides awaited his orders. The
teacher accompanied the children home
to tea, and spoke in high terms of their
pronouncing them among |
her best scholars. The dressmaker |
suddenly found herself free from the
great press of work, and in a friendly |
note expressed her desire to oblige |
Mrs. Thompson in any way in her power.