The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1870-06-09

Reply was prevented by a knock at
the doc, AMI the appearance OF a lad,
who presented aneasly folded paper
and disappeared.
"rhe butchers account, as I liver
exclaimed the astonished shoemaker.
What is to be done. Mary? SO much
money to be paid out, and very little
coming in, for some Of my best Gus.
toners have left ne, although my work
has always given satisfaction. II ]
could only have as much employment
as usual, and the usual credit allowed
me, could satisfy these claims. hut to
NEE, them Is impos sble, and the ac.
acknowledgement of my inability would
send Us still further on the downward
path"
1--WE must do our best and trust in
Providence" WAS the consoling re-
mark Of his wife, rs Il second knock at
the door arous, Il the fear that another
claimant was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenance of
Uncle Joshua, a rare but very welcome
visitor, presented itself. Sea ing him
self in very comtortahl. chair, which
Mary hastencd to hand him, he raid,
in his eccentric, but friendly manner {:
"Weil, good folks, l understand the
good world does not go on as well
with you as formerly. What is the
troubley'
There need be no trouble" was the
reply, "ir men would not try to add to
the affections which the Almighty secs
to he necessary for us. The winter
was trying one. We met with sick
ness and misfortune, which we en-
deavored to bear with patience. All
would now 60 well if those around me
were not determined to push US in the
downward path"
"But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is 4 selfish world.
Everybody, or at least great maiori
ty, care only for number one. If they
see poor neisLhor going down hill,
their first thought is whether it will
affect their own interest, and provided
they can secure themselves, they care
not how soon he goes to the bottom
The only way is IL keep up appear
anccs. Show no signs Of going be-
hind.hand and all will go well with
you"
"Vcry true, Uncle Joshua, but how
is this to be done? Bills which I did
not expcct to be called upon to meet
for the next three months are pouring
in upon me, My best customers are.
leaving me for more fortunate rival.
In short, am on the brink of ruin.
and nought but miracle will save
me-"
"a miracle which is very easily
wrought then, l imagine, my good
friend. What is the amount of your
debts which now press so heavily upon
YOU. and how soon in the coming
course Of events could you discharge
them p
They do not exceel one hundred
dollars replied the shoemaker; land
with my usual run of work, could
make it all right in three or four
months"
1--WE will say six" was the answer.
Il will advance YOU one hundred and
fifty dollars for six months. Pay eve
ry cent you owe, and with the remain
der Of your money make some slight
addition or Improvement in your shop
or house, and put everything around
the grounds in its usual neat7S'r'ler
Try this plan for few weeks, and We
will see what effect it has upon our
worthy nei.hl,ors. NJ, no, never
mind thanking me. ! am only trying
little experiment on human nature.
| know you Of old, and have no doubt
my money is safe in your hands"
Weeks passed hy. The advice of
Uncle Jo .hua hal been strictly follow
Ell, and the change in the shOemakers
prospects was indeed wonderful. He
was now spoken OF a. one of the most
thriving men OF the village. and man.
marvellous stories were told to account
for the sudden alteration in his affairs.
1t was generally agreed that dis-
tant relative had beg ,cathed 10 him
legacy, which hal entirely relieved
him of his pccuniarv difficulties. They
had never before realiz.d the beauty
and durability Of his work. The
butcher selected the best PIECES Oi
meat for his inspection as he enterci,
and was totally Indifferent As to tho
time of the payment. The teacher Sc-
cpmpanied the children home TO tea.
and spoke in high terms Of their i,D-
provemcn.. pronouncing them among
his hest scholars. The diessmaker
suidcnl, found herself free from the
! ,ro.. nress .,f work anil in n friendly