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

affIctions which the Almighty sees to be ne
cessary Tor us. The winter was a trying
one. we met with sickness and misfortune
winch we endeaVored TO bear with patience.
All would now go well if those around me
We're not determined to push me in the down
ward path
But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is selfish world. Ey-
| eryboay, or at least great majority, care
only for number one. If they see a poor
nelghbor going down hill, their first thought
is whether it viii effect their own interests
and provided they can secure themselves,
they care not how soon he goes to the bot
tom. The only way is to keep up appear
ances; Show no signs of going behindhand
and all win be well. 2
ery true uncle Joshua but how is this
70 be done Bills which / did not expect
to be called to meet for the next three months
are pouring in upon me. Mybeslt customers
ate leaving me for a more forfsinafe rival
Ia short, | am ON the brink Of ruin, and
naught but miracle can save me.
"A miracle which is very easily wrought
imagine, my good friend What is the
amount of these debts which press so heavi-
ly upon yoC, and how soon, in the common
course of events, could you discharge
| them?'
They do not exceed one hundred dollars
| replied the shoemaker; and, with my usual
run Of work, could make all rightin three
or four months
I'VE will say six, was the answer. II
will advance you one hundred and fifty dol
lars for six months. Pay every cent that
you owe, and with the remainder of the
mo ra al1n 4
| provement In your house, and put every
| thing about the grounds in neat order. Try
this plan for few weeks, and we will see
what effect 1t has upon our worthy neigh
bors. No, no, never mind thanking me. /
am only trying an experiment on human ma
| ture, | know you Of old, and have no doubt
that my money is safe in your hands
Weeks passed by The advice Of uncle
Joshua had been strictly followed, and the
change in the shoemaker prospects was,
indeed, wonderful He was now spoken of
as one of the most thriving men in the vii
lage, and many mar qelous stories were told
! to account for the sudden alteration in his
affairs. 1t was gen rally agreed that a dis
| tant relative had beoueathed to him legacy
which had entirely relieved him of his pecu-
MARY difficulties.
upon him. They had never before realized
! the beauty and durability of his work The
polite butcher selected the best pieces of meat
for his inspection, and was totally indiffer-
ent as to the time Of payment The dealer
in leather called to inform him that the
very best hides awaited his orders. The
teacher accompanied the children home to
tea, and spoke In high terms of their i'm
provement, pronouncing them among her
best scholars The dressmaker suddenly
found herself free from the great press of
work, and in friendly note expressed her
desire to obhge Mrs Thompson in any way
In her power.
just as / exneGaed. exclaimed uncle
| .Josnuay running ms hands exulhngly, as the
grateful shoemaker called upon him, at the
expiration of six months, with the money
which had been loaned him in the hour Of
need. Just as | expected. A strange
world They are ready to push a man up
hill If he seems to be ascending and Just as
ready to push him down if they fancy that
his face is turned that way, In future,
neighbor Thompson, let everything around
you wear an air of prosperity, and you viii
be sure to prosper.
And, with satisfied air, uncle Joshua
placed his money In his pocket-book, ready
to meet some other claim upon his benevo-
lence, whilst he when he had thus befien-
ded, with light steps and cheerful counte-
nance, returned to his happy home.