Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-06-11

may get pair of shoes or two in
payment Of the half quarter, II l
manage It right, but 1t will never do
to go on In this way
A little discomposed by her inter-
view with the teacher, Mrs. Thomp-
son stepped into q neighboring
grocery to purchase some trifling
articles Of family stores.
Il have little account against you;
would It be convenient for Mr..
Thompson to settle 1t this evening p
asked the polite shopkeeper, as he
produced the desired Article.
rs it his usual time for settling p
was again the surprised inquiry.
We'll, not exactly; but money Is
very tight just now, and am anxi-
Gus tn get all that Is due me. In flu
ture 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."
Thirty dollars is no small sum to
us just now,' thought Mrs. Thomp-
son, as she pursued her way towards
home musingly. 1t seems strange
all these payments must be met just
now, while we are struggling to re-
cover from the heavy expenses of the
winter. l cannot understand it,
Her perplexity was increased by
finding her husband with two bills
In his hand, and countenance ex-
pressive Of anxiety and concern.
Look, Mary lie said, as he enter
ed, here are two unexpected calls for
money--One from the doctor, and the
other from the dealer In leather, from
whom I purchased my last stock
They are both very urgent for imme
diate payment, although they have
always been willing to wait few
months until could make arrange
ments to meet their claims. But
misfortune never comes singly and
ifa man gets n little behind-hand,
trouble seems to pour In upon him.
Just so,' replied the wife; the
neighbOrs think we are going down
hill, and every one Is ready to give
us a push. Here are two more bills for
you, one from the grocer and the
other from the teacher
Reply was prevented by knock at
the door, and the appearance offs lad,
who presented a|heatly folded paper
and disappeared.
THE butchers account, as
live! exclaimed the astOnishcd
shoemaker. What is to be
done, Mary? So much money to be
paid out, and very little coming in,
for some OF my best customers have
left me, although my work has al
ways given satisfaction. If / could
only have as much employment as
usual, and the usual credit allowed
me, could satisfy these claims, but
to meet them Is Impossible, anu the
acknowledgment OF my inability would
send us still further on the DOWNWARD
path
we must do our best ana trust In
Providence, was the consoiing re-
mark OF his wife, as q second Knock
at the door aroused the fear that an
other claimant was about 10 appear.
But the benevolent countenance OF
Uncle joshua, rare put very well
come VISITOR, presented itseiI. seat
Ing himself IN . very comfortable
chair, whicn Mary nastened' 20 nahd
him, he said In his eccentric, but
friendly manner:
Wen, good folks, understand the
world does not go on as Wen win
you as formerly. What Is the
trouble" :,
'There need be no trouble, was
the reply, II men would not try TO
add 10 the af1ictions which the Al
mighty sees to be necessary for us; =
The winter was trying one. we
met with sickness ana misfortune,
which we endeavored 10 pear Win pa.
tience. All would now go weli II
those around me were not determih,
ed to push US In the DOWNWARD pain.
But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This Is selfish world.
Everybody, or at least a great MAJOR
ity, care only for number. one. lr
they see poor neighbor going down
hill, their. firststhought Is whether IL
VIII affect their own lnterst, anu pro-
videt they can secure themselves,
they care not how soon he goes TO the
bottom. The only way IL to keep up
appearances. Show no signs OF GO
ing behind hand and all Will go well
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 the next three months are pour
ing upon me. My best customers are
leaving me for more fortunate riv-
al. In short, l am on the brink or
ruin, and nought but II miracle will
save me-
A miracle which Is very easily
wrought then, | imagine; my good
friend. What Is the amount OF your
debts which now press so heavily