Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-04-27
Selttt gtorp.
GOING DOWN HILL.
BY MRS. S. p. DOUGHTY.

''That looks bad exclaimed farmer
White with an expressive shake of the head,
as he passed a neglected garden and broken
down fences, in one of his daily walks.
bad enough, was the reply ofthc com
panion to whom the remark was addressed
"Neighbor Thompson appears to be run
ming down hill pretty fast. can remember
the time when everything around his little
place was trim and tidy"
''It is quite the contrary now," returned
the farmer. House, outbuildings and
grounds all show the want of the master
care. ] am afraid that Thompson is in the
downward path.
Gle always appeared to be steady, in
dustrious man, reiOined the second speak
er. 81 have pair of boots on my feet at
this moment of his make, and they have
done me good service"
81 generally employed him for pyselfan
family was the reply, "and must confess
that he is good workman, but, nevcrthe-
less, believe shall step into Jack Smith $
this morning and order pair of boots of
which | stand in need. I always make it a
ruld never to patronize those who appear to
be running behindhand. There is generally
some risk in helping, those who do not try
to help themselves" ;"
,ciy uue, anu 10 NY WIG uesiIeu iIe W
see about pair Of shoes for her this morn
on Smith. He is no great favorte of mine,
however-an idle, quarrelsome fellow"
"And yet he seems to be getting ahead in
the world" answered the farmer, "and
am willing to give him lift. But have
an errand to the butchers. Step in with
ME for moment | will not detain you. "
| At the butchers they met the neighbor
who had been the subject of their previous
conversation. He certainly presented a
rather shabby appearance, and in his choice
ofmeat there was regard to 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 a
somewhat anxious air, saying as he charged
the bit of meat
IL believe it is time that neighbor Thomp-
son and come to a settlement. Short ac-
counts make long friends
"No time to lose, l should say, remark
ed the farmer.
Indeed Have you heard ofany trouble,
neighbor White?"
"No, l have heard nothing; but a man
has the use of his own eyes, you know; and
| never trust any one Win my money VINO
is evidently going down hill -
quite right, and will send in my bill
this evening. | have only delayed on ac.
count of the sickness which the poor man
has had in his family all winter. / suppose
he must have run behindhand little, but
still must take care of number one"
Speaking of Thom pson, are you?" OBJ
served a bystander, who appeared to take
an interest in the conversation. 'Going
down hill, is he? must look out for my
self, then. He owes me quite snug sum
for leather. did intend to give him an.
other month credit; but, on the whole, |
guess the money would be safer in my own
pocket"
Here the four worthless separated, each
with his mind filed with the affairs OF neigh
Dor Thompson, the probability that he was
going down hill, and the best way Of giving
him push
In another part ofthe little village, SINH
lar scenes were passing,
81 declare!' exclaimed Mrs. Bennett, the
dressmaker, to favorite assistant as she
hastily withdrew her head from the window
whence she had been gazing on the passers,
by, "If there is not Mrs. Thompson, the
shoemaker's wife, coming up the steps with
parcel in her hand She wants to engage