Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-08
GOING DOWN HILL.


Her perplexity was increased upon finding
her husband with two bills IN his hand, and
countenance expressive of anxiety and concern.
Look. NARY" he said as she entered
'sHere 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 urgent for immedi-
ate payment, although they have always been
willing to wait few months until could make
arrangements TO meet their claims. But mis-
fortunes never come single, and if 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
hills for you-one from the grocer and the other
from the teacher"
Reply was prevented by knock at the door,
and the appearance Of lad who presented
neatly folded paper and disappeared.
THE butchers account, as ! live =" eN-
claimed 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 customers have left me, although my work
has always given good satisfaction: Ii l could
only have employment as usual, and the usual
credit allowed me, could soon satisfy all these
claims but to meet them now is impossible,
I send US still farther on the downward path"
I'VE must trust in providence" was the con-
/ solatory remark of his wife, as a second knock
at the door aroused the fear that another claim
ant was about to appear.
But the benevolent cOuntenancs Of Uncle
/ Joshua, rare but welcome visitor, presented
itself Seating himself in the comfortable chair
which Mary hastened 10 hand him, he said, in
his somewhat exeentric, but friendly manner ::
well, good folks, I understand that the
world does not 90 quite as well with you as for
merly What is the trouble I"
There need be no trouble, sir, was the re-
ply, " if man would not add to the Affections
which the Almighty sees 10 be necessary for US.
The winter ives trying one We met with
sickness and misfortunes which we endeavored
u bear with patience. All would nov e. well
if those around were not determined to push me
in the downward path"
=" But there lies the difficulty, friend Thomp-
son. This is q selfish world Everybody, OF
at least a great majority care only for number
/ one Ifthey see poor neighbor going down
HILL their first thought is whether 1t viii effect
their own interests, and provided they can Sc
cure themselves, they care not how soon he goes
to the bottom. The only way Is to keep up aP-
pearances. Show no signs of going behind
hand, and all viii go we'll with you"
"Yery true, Uncle Joshua, but howis this tc
be donei Bills that did not expect to be call
ed upon to meet for the next three months, arc
pouring in upon me. My best customers are
leaving me for more fortunate rival. In short
1 am on the brink of ruin, and nought bat 1
miracle can save me"
"a miracle which is very easily wrought
then, / amagine, my good friend. What IS tn,
amount of these debts which press so heavily
upon you, and how soon, in the common course
Of events, could you discharge theml"
They do not exceed one hundred dollars,
replied the shoemaker "and with my usual ruI
: of work, l could make it all right in three o
four months. "
ave will say SIX was the answer II vii
) advance you one hundred and fifty dollars ic
six months. Pay every cent you owe; and will
the remainder of the money make some slgL
; addition or improvement in your snOp OF house
and put everything about the grounds in it
usual neat order Try this plan for few week
and we Will see wLat effect it has upon ou
| worthy neighbOrs. No, no, never mind thank
T ing me. l am only trying an experiment OF
. human nature know you Of old, and hav
!, no doubt that my money Is safe in your hands.
j Weeks passedby The advice of Uncle Joshu
5 had been strictly followed, and the change in III
shoemaker's prospects was indeed wonderful
He was spoken of as one Of the most thrivin
men in the village, and many marvellous storie
: were told to account for the sudden alteratiO
i in his affairs Ii was generally agreed that
# distant relative had bequeathed to him legacy
: which had entirely relieved him Of his pecun
ary difficulties Old customers and new one
: crowded in upon him. They had never befoI
}; realized the beauty and durability Of his worl
|. The polite butcher selected the best piece
: meat for his inspection as he entered, and wa
= totally Indifferent TO the-time Of payment. III
e dealer in leather called to inform him that h
f best hides awaited his orders. The teacher a
eompanied the children home to tea, and spok
in high terms Of their improvement, prOnouni
ing them among her best scholars. The dres
maker suddenly founl herself free from Il
great press of work, and in friendly note el
) pressed her desire to oblige Mrs. Thompson
:. any way in her power.
:" Just as I expected exclaimed Une
Joshua, rubbing his hands exultingly, as Ii
grateful shoemaker called upon lin at the e,
n piration of SIX months, with the money whiC
/ had been loaned in time Of need. Just as
= expected. A strange world They are read
to push man up hill if he seems TO be aseen
d ing, and Just as ready to push him down if the
le fancy that his face is turned that way. In {
o ture, neighbor Thompson, let everything abol
you wear an air OF prosperity, and you will
cure to prosper" And with a satisfied air, Vi
L. Gle Joshua placed his money in his pocket boo
# ready TO meet some other claim upoR his b
[e nevoleace, whilst he whom he had thus b
friended, with light steps and cheerful count
1 = l.. -.