The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-05-03

ing down hill. I must get rid of the
children in some way. Perhaps l may
get pair or two of shoes for payment
for the half quarter, if / manage right,
but it will never do to go on in this
way"
A little disconnected by her interview
with the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped
into "a neighboring grocery to purchase
some trifing articles of family stores.
(" have little account against you.
Will it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson
Ito settle it this evening p asked the civil
shopkeeper, as he produced the desired
article. M
Is it the usual time for settling ?"
was the surprised inquiry.
Well, not exactly; but money is very
tight just now, and am anxious to get in
all that is due me. In future, 1 intend
keeping short accounts. There is your
little bill, if you would like to look at it.
1t is but small affair.
"Thirty dollars is no small sum to us
just now, thought Mrs. Thompson, as she
pursued her way towards home g 1t
seems strange that all these payments
must be met just now. while we are strug-
Cling to recover from the heavy5expenses
of the winter. Icannot understand it."
Her perplexity was increased upon
finding two bills in her husbands hands,
and with countenance expressive Of anxs
iety and concern. sl
Look, Mary" he said, as she entered,
here are two unexpected callsEfor mon
ey-one from the doctor, and the other
from the dealer in leather from whom /
purchased my last stock. They are both
urgent for immediate payment, although
they have always been. willing to wait a
few mouths until I could make some ar
rangements to meet their claims.s But
misfortunes never come singly, and if a
man once gets little behindhand, trou-
BILE seems to pour in upon him"
just so,'' replied his wife. The
neighbors think We are going down hill,
and every one is ready to give us push.
Here are two more bills-one from the
grocer and the other from the teacher. y
Reply was prevented by knock at the
door, and the appearance of a lad who
presented neatly folded paper, and then
disappeared.
The butchers account, as / live u
exclaimed the astonished shoemaker
I"What's to be done, Mary !? So much
money to be paid out and very little COM
ing in for some of my customers have
left me, although my work always has
given satisfaction. If / could only have
as much employment. as usual, and the
usual credit allowed, could soon satisfy
these claims but to meet them now is
impossible, and the, Acknowledgements O.
Imy inability will send Us still farther OF
the downward path poil
''We must do our best, and trust tt
Providence" was the consolatory remark
of his wife, as second knock was hearc
al the door and aroused the fearethat an
other creditor was about to appear. .r
i But the benevolent countenance of un
Gle Joshua, a rare but very welcome Wis
! itor, presented itself. Seating himself il
the comfortable chair which Mary has
tened to hand him, he said, in a some
what eccentric but friendly manner
Well, good folks, I understand tha
the world does not 60 quite as well wit
, you as formerly. What is the troubled
r "There need be no trouble, sir, if me
would not try to add to the aAiiction
} which the Almighty sees to be necessar
f for us. The winter was a trying one
t We met with sickness and misfortun,
' which we endeavored: to bear with p;
tiepce. All would go right if thos
Q around me were not determined to pus
me in the downward path"
/, "But there lies the difficulty, frier
IS Thompson. Thisis selfish world
e Everybody. or at least great majorit
n care only for number one. If. they see
$. poor neighbor going down hill, the fir
Q thought is whether it will affect their oV
: interest, and, provided they can secu
e themselves, they care not how soon
% goes 10 the bottom. The only way is
d keep up appearances Show ne sign
er going behindhand, and all will be W,
with you
!" Very true, uncle Joshua but how
this to be done2 Bills which | did n
of expect to be called to meet for the ne
In three months, are pouring in upon me.
My best customers are leaving me for
e. more fortunate rival. In short, am
the brink of ruin, and naught save a m
o. aele can save me.
,or GA miracle which is easily wrought
,ss imagine, my good friend. What is
Il amount of these debts which press
heavily upon you, and how soon, in
common course of events, could you q
L. charge them ?" a
ne They dc not exceed one hund
'e dollars, ;" replied the shoemaker; :" 9
:, with my usual run of work, / could m'
: - all right in three or four months"
ii. eve will say six was the answer
"I will advance you one hundred I
TO fifty dollars for six months. Pay ey
vas cent that you owe, and with the remi
i Is der of the money make some slight &C
mt tion or Improvement in your house.
put everything about the grounds in I
re. order. Try this plan for a few wet
a. and we will see what effect it will b
upon our worthy neighbors. No,
uIe never mind thanking me; am only
Il ing an experiment upon human nat
mt. I know you of old, and have no do
: that my money is safe in your hands.
cen Weeks passed BY. The advice of
ave Gle Joshua had been strictly follos
the and the change in the shoemaker's P
nv pects was indeed wonderful. He
Il -.