The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-09-23
Select Sturu.
GOING DOWN HILL.

oUlND HUWN HtLL.
THAT looks bad" exclaimed Farmer
White, with an expressive shake of his
head, as he passed a neglected garden
and broken down fence, in one Of his
daily walks.
Bad enough was the reply of the
companion.
"Ncighbor Thompson appears to be
running down hill very fast can re-
member when everything around his
place was trim and tidy"
I" He always appeared to be steady
industrious man." rcjoined the secoud
speaker. / have n pair of boots on my
feet at this moment of his make, aud
they have done me good service"
81 have generally employed him for
myself and family" was the reply, "and
[ must confess that he is a good work
man; but, nevertheless, | believe shall
step into Jack Smiths this morning
and order pair of boots, of which
stand in need. always make it a rule
never to patronize those who appear to
be running behind hand. There is gen.
orally some risk in helping those who
won't help themselves"
Every true; and as my wife desired
me to look at a pair Of shoes for her this
morning, / will follow your example
aud call upon Smith. He is no great
fayorite Of mine, however--an idle,
quarrelsomc !ellow."
"And yet he seems to be getting
along in the world" answered the for
mer, "and | am willing to give him
lift. But l have an errand at the
butchers. will not detain you"
At the butchers they met the neigh.
Dor who was the subject of their preyi.
GUS conversation. lie certainly pre-.
sented rather shabby appearance, and
in his choice Of meat there was the OBJ.
servation Of farmer White. After pas.
sing remarks, the poor shoemaker took
his departure and the butcher opened
his account book with a somewhat anx-
ious air, saying, as he charged the bit
Of meat, ~ believe it is time neighbor
Thompson aud l came to settlement.
Short accounts make long friends"
"No time to loose, I should say" re-
marked the farmer.
"Indeed! have you heard any trou.
BILE, neighbor White"
"No; / have heard nothing but a
man has the use of his own eyes, you
know; and never trust any one with
money who is evidently going down
hill"
"Quito right; aud will send in my
bill this evening, have only delayed
on account Of the sickness the poor man
has had in his family all winter.
suppose he must have run behind a
little, but still I must take care Of mum.
ber one"
Speaking of Thompson, are you 2"
observed bystander, who appeared to
take an interest in the conversation. -
"Going down hill is he | must look
out for myself, then. He owes me quito
a snug sum for leather. I did intend
to give him another months credit, but
on the whole | guess the money would
be safer in my own pocket"
Here the four worthies separated
each with his mind filed with the affairs
OF neighbor Thompson, the probability
that he was going down hill, and the
best way of giving him push.
In another part of the village similar
scenes were passing.
~ declare" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dressmakcr, to a fayorite assistant
as she hastily Withdrew hor head from
the window, whence she had been gax.
ing on the passers by; ''if thcro is moi
Mrs. Thompson, the shoemaker's wife
coming up the stops with parcel in
her hand. She wants me 70 do her
work, but think it would be venture
Every one says they are running down