The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1858-07-30

is evidently going down hill"
"Quite right; Sud viii send in my
bill this evening. | have only delayed
on account of tho sickness which the poor
man has had in his family all winter.
suppose he must have run behind haud a
little, but still | must take care Of number
Ione.
Speaking Of Thompson, are you?" OBJ
served a bystander, who appeared TO take
an interest in the conversation, "Going
down bill, is he? / must look out for my
self then. lie owes me quite q snug sum
of leather / dill intend to give him an
other months credit; but on the whole.
guess the money would be safer in my
own pocket" p
Hero the four worthless separated, each
with his mind filed with the affairs Of
fneighbor Thompsoa, the probability that
he was going down hill, and the best way
TO give him a push.
In another part Of The village, similar
scenes were passing.
'I declared" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dressmaker, TO iayorito assistant, as
she withdrew her head from the window
whence she had been gazing on the pass
ers by. .lf there is not Mrs. Thompson,
the shoeuiaker'g wife, coming up the steps
with parcel in her hand. She wants 10
engage me 50 do her spring work, Z sup
pose, but think il would be venture.
Every one says they arc running down
hill, and it is chance if ever get my
pay"
"She has always paid us promptly"
was the reply.
!, "True, but that was in tho days Of her
prosperity. l cannot afford to run any
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at tho re-
fusd Of Mrs. Benpett to do any work for
her, but as great pressure Of business was
pleaded as an excuse, there was nothing
70 be said, and she soon took leave. % An |
other application proved equally unsuc
cessful. 1t was strange how busy the
village dress makers had suddenly be- |
come.
On her way home. tho poor shoemak
er's wife met the teacher of a small school
in the neighborhood where two Of her
children attended
"Ahl Mrs. Thompson, I am glad 10 see
you" was the salutalion. al was about
calling at you house. Would il be con
yenient to settle our little account this af
ternoon?"
"Our account!" was the surprised r9-
ply. "Surely, the term is not yet ezpir-
edP'
"0nly half Of it, but the present rule is
to collect my money at that time 1t is
IA plan which many teachers have adopted
of late.p
81 was rot aware that there had been
any change in your rules, and had made
arrangements 10 meet the bill at the usu.
al time. fear it win not be in my pow.
er to do so sooner"
The countenance Of the teacher showed |
great disappointment, and as she passed |
on in different direction, she muttered
to herself:
"Just as expected. shall never get
a cent. Everybody says that they are
going down hill. / must get rid Of the
children in some way. Perhaps / may
get pair Of shoes or two for the half
quarter, II 1 manage right, but it will
never do to go on in this way"
A little disoomppsed by her interview
with the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped
into a neighboring grocery to purchase
some triaing article Of family stores.
~"I have a little account against you
Will it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson
to settle il this EVENING"" asked the civil
shopkeeper as he produced the article.
''Is it his usual time for settling?" was
again the surprised inquiry.
.'Wel not exactly. but money is very
tight just now, and am anxious to get
in all that is due mo. In future | intend
to keep short accounts. There is your lit
tie bill if you would like to look at il.
will call around this evening. 1t IS but
a small affair"
."Thirty dollars IS no small sum TO us
Just now" thought Mrs. Thompson as
she thoughtfally pursued her way towards
home. IL seems strange that all these
payments must be met just now, while |
we are struggling to recover from tho
heavy expenses Of the winter. l cannot
understar d IT,"
Her perplexiiy was increased upon fnd- !
ing her husband with two bills in his hand,
and a oounlenance expressive Of anxiety
and concern. ,st
"Look. Mary" he said as sho entered.
''Iiere are two unexpected calls for mon
ey--one from tho doctor, and the other
from the dealer in leather from whom |
purchased my last stock. They are both
urgent for Immediate payment, although
they have always been willing to wall
faw months until could make arrange
msnts to meet their claims. jpBut mislor
tunes never come single, and if man
once gets little behind band, trouble
seems TO pour in upon. hiS."
'Jusl SO" replied his wife. "The
Eeighbors think we are going down bill.
aud every one Is ready 70 give us push,
Here are two more bills for you lone
from the grocer aud the other from the
teacher" t
Reply was prevented b. a knock at She
door, and the appearance Of a lad who
presented a neatly folded paper aud dis