Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1870-06-10
WALHALLA, SOUTH CAROLINA,

W Sctue our account this afternoon ~
"Our account%' was tic surprised fcply.
surely, the term has not yet expired 2"
,".onchalf of it, but my present rule is to
collect my MONEY at this time"
=! dld not expect to pay the school bill
until the term expired. l fear it will not be
in my power to do so sooner"
The countcnancc Of the teacher showed
great disappointment; as she passed in diff
fercnt direction, she mutterea to herself:
"Just as | expected shall never see a
cent. Everybody says they are going down
HILL must get rid of the children in some
way. Perhaps may get pair of shoes or
two in payment of the halfquartcr If [ man.
age right; it will never do to 90 on this way"
A little disconnposcd by her interview With
the teacher, Mrs. Thompson went into
ncghbofing grocery to purchase some trfling
articles Of family storcs
"l have II little account against yoii.-
Would it be convenient for MIR. Thompson to
settle it this cvcning?" asked the polite shop.
Keeper as he produced the desired article.
els it the usual time for settling ?'' was
the surprised inquiry
| Wcll, not exactly but money is very
tight, just now, and | am anxious to get all
there is due me. In future, intend to keep
short accounts. There is little bill if YOU
would like to look at it. will call around
this evening. 1t is buS small affair"
Thirty dollars is no small sum to us Just
now, thought Mrs. Thompson, as she
thoushtfully pursued her way toward home.
"lt seems strange that all these payments
| must be met just now, while We were strug-
| glhs to recover from the heavy expenses of
the winter. | cannot understand it.
lier fcrFlcsity was increased by finding her
husband with two bills in his hand and a
countcnancc expressive Of anxiety and cot-
cern.
Look, Mary" he said, as she entered
"hcrc are two unexpected calls for money;
ono from the doctor and the other from tho
dealer in leather from whom purchased my
last stock. They arc both very urgent for
immediate payment, although they have
always been willing to wait a few months uu.
til l could make arrangements to meet their
claims. but misfo, tauo never cuuivs slugIy,
and if man gets little behind hand, trouble
scons to pour in upon him"
"Just So" replied the wife. "rho neigh
bors think we arc going down hill, and every
one seems ready TO give us push. Here arc
two more bills for you one from the grocer
aud the other from the teacher"
Neply was prevented by knock at the
door, and the appearance of a lad who pre-
scntcd neatly folded paper and disappeared.
"Thc butchers accohnt us [ livc' ex-
claimed the astonishcd shoemaker. "What
is to be done, Mary? So much money to be
paid out and very little coming in, and some
Of my best customers have left me, although
my work has always given satisfaction. III
could only have as much employment as
usual, and tho usual credit allowed me, I
could soon satisfy these claims but to meet
them now is impossible, and tho acknowledge
mcnt of my inability would send us on the
downward path"
owe must do our best and trust in Provi-
dcncc," was the consoling remark Of lis
wife, as a second knock at the door aroused
the fear that another claimant vas about to
appear.
But the benevolent countcnancc Of Uncle
Joshua, rare but ever welcome visitor, pre-
sentcd itself. Seating himself in the comfort.
able chair, which Mary hastencd to hand
him, he said, in his eccentric but friendly
manner:
"Well, good folks, understand the world
docs not go or with YOU as we'll as formerly.
What is the trouble p
"Thcrc need be no trouble" was the reply,
eff men would not try to add to the afflictions
which tho Almighty seems to think necessary
for us. The winter was trying one. We
met with sickness and misfortune, which we
cndcavor to bear with patience. All would
now go we'll if those around us were not de-
tcfmincd to push us in the downward path"
"IsUt there lies the difficulty, friend Thome-
son. This is a selfish world Everybody,
or at least a majority, care only for number
ono. If they sec poor neighbor going down
hill, their first Thought is whether it will
affect their own interests; and provided thcy
can secure themselves, they care not how
soon he goes to the bottom. Tho only way
is to keep up appearances. Show no signs
Of going bchindhand, and all will 90 we'll with
you"
every true, Uncle Joshua, but how is this
to be done2 Bills which did not expect to
be called upon to meet for the next three
months arc pouring in upon me. My bost
customers arc leaving nc for moro fortunate
rival. In short am on the brink of ruin
and naught but miracle can save me-"
ga miracle which is very easily wrought
then, | imagine, my good friend. What is
the amount Of your debts which pro:s so
heavily upon you, and how soon, in the com.
mon course of events could YOU discharge
them p
"Thoy do not exceed one hundred dollars"
replied the shoemaker; "and with my usual
run of work, could make it all right ia three
or four months" ~
"We.will say six, was the answer. "I|
will advance you a hundred and fifty dollars
for six months. Pay every cent you owe, and
L. l. = IL. Il