Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-04-27

me to do her spring work, | suppose, but |
think it would be venture. Every one
says they are running down hill, and il is a
chance II | ever get my pay"
She has always paid us promptly, was
the reply.
} True, but that was in the days Of her
prosperity. | cannot afford to run any
risks.
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson prevented
further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the refusal
of Mrs. Bennett to do any work for her, but
as great pressure of business was pleaded
as an excuse, there was nothing to be said,
and she soon took leave. Another applica-
ton proved unsuccessful. 1t was strange
how busy the village dressmakers had sud
denly become.
On her way home, the poor shoemaker's
wife met the teacher of small school in
the neighborhood, where two of her small
children attended
"Ah Mrs. Thompson, am glad to see
you,' was the salutation, "! was about
calling at your house. Would it be con-
venient to settle our little account this after
noon ?'
"Our account - was the surprised reply.
"Surely, the term has not yet expired2"
"Only half of it, but my present rule is to
collect my money at that time. 1t is a plan
which many teachers have adopted of late. "
II was not aware that there had been
any change in your rules, and | have made
arrangements to meet the bill at the usual
time. l fear it will not be in my power to
do so sooner.
The countenance of the teacher showed
great disappointment, and as soon as she
passed on in a different direction, she NUT
tered to herself:
Just as / expected. shall never get
cent. Everybody says that they are going
down hill. l must get rid of the children
in some way. Perhaps | may get pair of
shoes or two for payment for the half quar-
ter if manage right, but it will never do to
go on in this way"
a little discomposed by her intervitw with
the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped into a
neighboring grocery to purchase some tri-
fling article of family stores
Il have light account against you.-
Will it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson to
. settle it this EVENING" asked the civil shop
keeper as he produced the desired article
Is it the usual time for scttling?" was
again the surprised inquiry.
"Well, not exectly, but money is very
tighs just now, and | am anxious to get all
short accounts. There is your little bill, it
you would like to look at it, l will call
around this evening. 1t is but small
affair.
Thirty dollars is no small sum to usjust
now thought Mrs. Thompson as she
thoughtfully pressed her way toward home.
1T seems strange that all these payments
must be met just now, while we are strug-
Cling to recover from the heavy expenses OF
the winter. cannot understand it.
Her perplcxity was increased upon find
ing her husband with two bills in his hand,
and countenance expressive OF anxiety and
, concern.
Look, Mary" he said, as she entered,
here 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 very urgent
for immediate payment, although they have
always been willing to wait few months
until could make arrangements to meet
their claims. But misfortunes never come
r singly, and if man once gets little behind
hand, trouble seems to pour in upon him. y
!, Just SO, replied the wife. ''Theneigh-
i bors think we are going down hill and every
one is ready to give us push. Here are
two more bills for you-one from the grocer
. and the other from the teacher"
p Reply was prevented by a knock at the
. door, and the appearance of a lad who pre-
= sented neatly folded paper and then dis
4 appeared.
! ''The butchers account, as I live" ex-
9 claimed the astonished shoemaker. "What
. . is to be done, Mary? SO much money to
y be paid out, and very little coming in; for
! some ofmy customers have left me, although
: my work has always given satisfaction. If
= | could only have as much employment as
a usual, and the usual credit allowed me,
y could soon satisfy all these claims but to
4 meet them now is impossible, and the ac-
70 acknowledgement of my inability will send us
: : still further ON the downward path.
: "We must do our best and trust in Prov
r idcnce, was the consolatory remark of his
n a wife, as second knock at the door aroused
- the fear that another claimant was about to
y appear.
:, =, But the benevolent countenance of Uncle
> Joshua, a rare, but ever welcome visitor,
y presented itself
v Seating himself in the comfortable chair
, which Mary hastened to hand him, he said
, in his somewhat eccentric, but friendly man
y ner
N "Well, good folks, l understand the
I world does not 60 quite as well with you as
- formerly. What is the trouble p
h ''There need be no trouble, sir, was the
,r Affections which the Almighty sees to be
20 one. We met with sickness and misfor
% tunes, which we endeavored to bear with
Il patience. All would now go well if those
~ around us were not determined to push us
= in the downward path.
,r 'But there lies the difficulty, friend
e Thompson. This is a selfish world. Ev
a erybody or at least majority, care only for
d number one. If they see poor neighbor
going down hill, their first thought is
j. whether it will affect their own interests,
; and provided they can secure themselves,
they care not how soon he goes to the bot
4 tom. The only way is to keep up appear
ances. Show no signs of going behind
3, hand, and all will be well with you"
Very true, Uncle Joshua, but how is
m this to be done? Bills which l did not ex'
I'd pect to be called to meet for the next three
10 months, are pouring in upon me, my best
customers are leaving me fora more fortun
i'll ate rival In short, am on the brink ofruir
C. and naught save miracle can save me. y
IN "a miracle which l very easily wrought
Sc them imagine my good friend. What il
ut the amount of these debts which press 81
heavily upon you, and how soon, in th'
D. common, course of events, could you dis
a charge them 2''