Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-05-12

of meat there was a regard to economy
which did not escape the observation of far.
mer White,
After few passing remarks the poor shoe.
maker took his departure, and the butcher
opened his account book with Somewhat
anxious air, saying, as be charged the bit o.
meat
i believe il is time that neighbor Thomp-
SON and came to a settlement Short ac-
counts make long friends.
mo time to lose, | should say, remark
ed the farmer
Indeed Have you heardof any trouble
neighbor White 2"
mo, have heard nothing but a man
has the use of his eyes, you know, and ]
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 ac-
count of the sickness wlaelg e poor man
has had in his fatllils 90 EiHte3 ] suppose
he must have run behindhand little, but
still | must take care OF number one. .
Speaking of Mr.. Thompson, are you
observed bystander, who appeared to take
an interest In the conversation. Going
down hill, is he ? Imust Look out for myself
then. He owes me quite q snug sum for
leather | did intend to give him another
months credit but, on the whole, | guess
the money would be safer IN my pocket.
Here the four worthless separated, each
with his mind filed with tie affairs of neigh
Dor Thompson, the probability that he was
going down hill, and the BEST way of giving
him push.
In another part of the village similarscene
were passing.
II declare exclaimed Mrs Bennett, the
dressnaker, to a favorite assistant, as she
hastily withdrew her heai from the window
whence she had been gazing on the passers
by, If there is not Mr. Thompson, the
shoemaker's wife, coming up the steps with
a parcel in her hand. She wants to engage
me to do her spring work suppose, but |
think it would be a venture. Every one says
they are running down hin, and tits achance
it | ever get my pay.
She has always paid up promptly" was
the reply.
True, but that was in the days of her
prosperity. | cannot afford to run any
risk .
The entrance Of Mrs. Thompson pTeven-
ted further conversation
She was evidently surprised at the refusal
of Mrs. Bennett to do any work for her but
as a great pressure of business was pleaded
as an excuse, there was nthing to be said,
and she soon took her leave
Another application proved equally unsuc-
cessful. 1t was strange how busy the vii
iage dressmakers had suddenly become.
On her way home the poor shoemaker s
wife met the teacher of a small school in the
neighborhood, where two of her children at
tended.
"Ah Mrs. Thompson, am glad to see
you, was the salutation II was about
calling at your house. Would it be conve-
nient to settle our little account this after
noon ?"
oureIy Tne term mas nor yet eyPTred {
''Only half of it f; but my preent RULES to
collect my money at that time. 1t is plan
which many Of the teachers hare adopted of
late
II was not aware that there lad been any
change in your rules, and | hare made ar
to meet the bill at tie usual time
| fear it will not be In my powlr to do so
sooner.
The countenance of the teaher showed
great disappointment, and, as soon as she
had passed on in different direction, she
muttered to herself
Just as | expected. | shall never get a
cent. Everybody says that ihey are going
down hill. must get nd ofthe children In
some way. Perhaps / mayget a pair or
two of shoes for payment foI the half quar-
ter, if manage right, but il will never do
to go on in this way
A little disconnected by hei interview with
the teacher, Mrs Thompsoi stepped into a
grocery to purchase some trifing
articles of family stores.
Il have alittle accoun6esa aiAsJ you. TU;n
it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson to settle
il this evening r. asked the citil shopkeeper
as he produced the desired aticle.
Is it the usual time for sttling?" was
the surprised inqniry
well, not exactly but money is very
tight just now, and am anxims tocet in all
that is due me. In future, / Intend keeping
short accounts. There is you little bill, if
you would like to look at it | will call
around this evening. 1t is bit small af-
fair. "
Thirty dollars is no small ium to us just
now" thought Mrs. Thompson, as she pur-
sued her way towards hone. sit seems
strange that all these payments must be made
Just now, while we are struggling to recover
from the heavy expenses of ihe winter. i
cannot understand it. y
Her perplexity was increased upon finding
her husband with two bills inhis hand and
with countenance expressiveof anxiety and
concern.
Look, Mary he said, aa she entered,
here are two unexpected Gals for money ::
one from the doctor, and the kther from the
dealer in leather from whom Ipurchased my
last stock They are both very urgent for
immediate payment, although they have al
ways been willing to wait hw months I'M
til / could make some arrangements to meet
their claims But misforturns never come
singly, and if man once gets little be-
hindhand, trouble seems to pour in upon
him. "
"Just so, replied hiswife, seThe neigh
bors think we are going dowl hill, and ev-
cry one is ready to give us a push. Here
are two more bills for you one from the
grocer and the other from the teacher.
Reply was prevented by aknock at the
door, and the appearance of lad who pre-
sented neatly folded paper, and then dis.
appeared
The butcher account, as / live |" ex.
claimed the astonished shoemaker. "What
is to be done Mary So much money to be
paid out, and very little eomingin; for some
of my customers have left me, although my
work has always given satisfaction. If
could only have as much employment az
usual, and the usual credit allowed, / coulC
soon satisfy all these claims but to meet
them now is impossible, and the acknowledg
ment of my inability viii send usstill further
on the downward path.
tWe must do our best, and trust in Prov
idnncn !, 1raS tho nonsnlatnrv rernnrk nf hi,