The Van Buren press., 1870-09-27
of her chillren attended.

I
afternoon y
"Our account was the surprised re-
ply "Surely the term has not yet ex
pired."
"Only half Of it. but my present rule
| is to collect my money at any time II
is plan which many teachers have ad
opted of late"
81 was not aware that there had been
any change in your rules, and | have
made arrangements to meet your bill al
the usual time fear that it will not be
in my power to do so sooner"
The countenance of the teacher show.
ed great disappointment, and as she pass
ed on in different direction, he mutter
ed to himself.
"Just as expected. ! shall never SCI
cent. Everybody says they are going
down hill. | must get rid Of the children
some way. Perhaps / may get pair OF
shoes or two in payment of the halfquar-
ter, if manage it right; but it will never
do to go on this way"
A little discomposed by her interview
with the teacher, Mrs, Thompson step
ped into neighboring grocery to pur
chase some trifling articles Of family
| stores.
| {" | have little account against you
Would it be convenient for Mr. Thomp
son to settle it this evening" asked the
polite shopkeeper, as he produced the de
sired article.
ais it your usual time for settling y
was again the surprised inquiry.
"Weii, not exactly; but money is very
tight just now, and am anxious to get
all that is due me. In future intend to
keep short accounts. There is the little
bill, if you would like to look at it. |
will call around this evening. 1t Is but
a small affair.""
"Thrty dollars is no small sum to US
just now," though Mrs Thompson, as
she pursued her way toward home,
thoughtfully 1t seems strange that
all these payments must be met just now.
while we are struggling to recover from
the heavy expenses of the winter. can
not understand it"
Her perplexity was increased by find.
ing her husband with two bills in his
hand, and q countenance expressive of
anxiety and concern.
"Look, Mary" he said, as she entered,
" here are two unexpected calls for mon
ey--one from the doctor, and the other
from the dealer in leather, from whom |
purchased my last stock. They are both
very urgent for immediate payment, al
though tney have always been willing to
wait q few months until could make ar.
raugemcnts to meet their claims. But
%bh mai hoFgSe aggSge 9cvfg te G9pss siasy and il
seems to pour in upon him."
"Just So, replied the wife; the
ncighbors think we are going down hill,
and every one is ready to give us push.
Here are two more bills for you--one
from the grocer and the other from the
teacher"
Reply was prevented by a knock at the
door, and the appearance of a lad, who
presented neatlyiolded paper, and dis
appeared
The butchers account as liye' ex-
claimed the astonished shoemaker.
"What is to be done Mary? So much
money to be paid and very little coming
in, for some of my best customers have
left me, although my work has always
given satisfaction. If ] could only have
as much employment as usual, and the
usual credit allowed me, could soon sat
isfy these claims; but to meet them now
is impossible, and the acknowledgment
of my inability would send us still furth-
cr on the downward path
"We must do our best and trust in
Providence was the consoling remark
of his wife, rs second knock at the
door aroused the fear that another claim
ant was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenancc OF
Uncle Joshua, rare but ever welcome
visitor presented itself. Seating him
self in the comfortable chair which Mary
fastened to hand him, he said, in his &C.
centric but friendly manner:
"Wcll, good folks, understand the
world does not 90 on as well with you as
formerly What is the trouble 2
"Thcro need be no trouble" was the
reply, "if men would not try to add to
the Affections which the Almighty sees
to be necessary for us. The winter was
trying one. We met with sickness and
misfortune, which we endeavored to bear
with patience. All would now go well,
if those around me were not determined
to push us in the downward path"
:" But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is a selfish world Eve
rybody, or at least n great majority, care
only for number one. Ifthcy see poor
neichbor going down hill, their first
thought is, whether it will affect their
own interests, and, provided they can sc.
cure themselves, they care not how soon
he goes to the bottom. The only way
is keep up appearances. Show no signs
of going behindhand, and all will go wei
with YOU"
"Very true, Uncle Joshua, but how Is
this TO be done? Bills, which did not
expect to be called upon to meet for Tho
next three months, are pouring in upot
me. NV best customers are leaving M
for more fortunate rival. In short,
am on the brink Of ruin, and nought bu
miracle will save me y
"a miracle which is very easil,
wrought, then, imagine, my good irient
What is the amount Of your debts whlcl
now press so heavily upon you, and how
soon, il the common course OF events
could you discharge them y
They do not exceed one hundred dol
lars" replied.the shoemaker :" and, will