The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-03-31
doing Down Hill.
by MRS. s. p. DOUGHTY.

"That looks bad" exclaimed farm
or While, with an expressive shake oi
the head, as he passed n neglected
Igarden and broken down fences, IN
one of his daily walks.
"Bad eifongh,' was the reply Of the
companion TO whom the remark was
addressed. 'Neighhor Thompson ap
pears to he running down hill pretty
fast. I can remember the time when
everything around the place was trim
and tidy"
at is quite the contrary, now,
returned the farmer. "llouse. out
buildings and grounds all show the
want of the masters care. l am
afraid Thompson is in the downward
path"
ale always appeared to he n study
industrious man." rcjoincd the second
speaker. II have pair OF boots on
my feet at this moment. Of his make,
and they have done me good ser
vice"
81 have generally employed him
for myself and family" was the reply
"and I must confess that h. is good
workman: hnt, nevertheless, believe
shall step into Jack Smiths this
morning and order n pair Of boots,
of which 4 stand in need. | always
make il y rnlc never to patrDnizo those
who appear to he running behind.
hand, There is generally some risk
in helping those who do not try to
help themselves"
"Very true, and ne my wife desired
me to see about n pnir Of shoes
for her this morning, I will follow
your example and call upon Smith
He is no favorite of mine however,
an idle, quarrclsome fellow"
"And yet he seems to he getting
ahead in the world" and answered
the farmer, "and I am willing to give
him lift But have an errand at
the butchers. Step in with me for n
moment. ! will not dctain Won"
At the butchers they met the
neighbor who had hccn tho subject of
conversation He certainly present.
ed shabby appearance. and in his
choice of meat there was n regard 10
economy which did not escape the
observation Of farmer White.
After few passing remarks. the
poor shoemaker took his departure,
and the butcher opened his account
book with somewhat anxious air,
sa' ing rs he charged the bit of meat,
Il believe it is time that neighhor
Thompson and came to - settlement
Short accounts make long friends"
"No time to lose | should saw re-
marked tho farmer.
wndeed! Have Won heard of any
trouble ncighhor Whitc?"
mo I have heard nothing; but q
man has the use Of his own eyes Won
know, and | never trust any ono with
Imv money, who is evidently going
down hill"
Quite right, and I willscnd in my
hill this evening l have only delay.
ed on account OF the sickness which
tho poor man has had in bis family
all Winter suppose he must have
run behind hand n little, but still !
must take care of number one"
speaking ofThompson, are you?''
observed n bystander, who appeared
to take an interest in the conversa
ton Going down hill, is he? !
must look out for myself then He
owes me a snug little sum for leather
l did intend to give him another siy
months credit, but, on the whole |
guess the money would he safer il
my own pocket" "
Here the four worthless separated
each with his mind filed with the af
fairs of his ncighbor Thompson, Tho
probability that he was going down
hill, and the best way of giving hin
a push.
In another part Of the little village
similar scenes were passing.
II declare T. exclaimed Mrs. Ben
nett, the drcssmaker, to favorit,
assistant, MS she hastily Withdrew he
head from the window whence sh,
: had been gazing on the passers by
"lf there is not Mrs. Thompson, th,
shoemaker wife, coming up In
steps with a parcel in her hand, Sh,
wants TO engage me TO do the Sprin,
work | suppose. but | think it woul,
>, he venture Every one SAYS the,
are running down hill, and it is
oh nee II ever I'd get my pay"
, "She has always paid us promptly,
was the reply.
"Trnc, but that was in the days o
her prosperity. | cannot afford t.
run any risks"
The entrance of Mrs. Thompso
?, interrupted further conversation.
"She was evidently surprised a
the refusal of Mrs. Bennett to do an
q work for her, bnt as great pressur
of business was pleaded as an cXcus
there was nothing to be said, and sh
soon took her leave. Another appli
cation proved equally unsuccessful
!. 1t was strange how busy the villlag
e dressmakers had suddenly become.
On her way home, the poor shoe
makers wife met the teacher OF
small school in the neigborhood
: where two Of her children attended
"Ah! Mrs. Thompson, am glad t
!. see YOU" was the salutation. 81 wa
1 about calling at your house, Woul
81