The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1872-01-25


q have little account against YOU !:
. would it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson
to settle it this EVENING"" asked the polite
shopkeeper as he produced the desired ar
ticle.
is it hi: usual time for settling?" was
again the surprised inquiry.
"Well, not exactly; but money is very
tight Just now, and | am anxious to get all
that is due me. In future intend . keep
oatvIs aSo0uIiu5. TnuTv IL ULr little Till, II
you would like to look at it. | will call
around this evening. 1t is but very small
affair."
Thirty dollars is no small sum to us
just now, thought Mrs. Thompson, as she
pursued her way toward home musingly.
1t seems strange that all these paw
ments must be met just now, while we are
struggling to recover from the heavy ex-
pense Of the winter. | can not understand
| it."
! Her perplexity was increased BY finding her
husband with two bills in his hand, and
countenanee expressive Of anxiety and con-
| Germ.
Look, Mary" he said, as she entered,
| "here are two unexpected calls for money;
one from the doctor, and the other from
! the dealer In leather from whom | purchas-
edmy last stock. They are both very urgent
for immediate payment, although they
have always been willing to wait a few
months until | could make arrangements to
meet their claims. But misfOrtunes never
come singlv, and if man gets little be-
lind hand, trouble seems TO pour in upon
him"
Just so, replied the WIFE "the
neighbors think that 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 tho
I teacher
Reply was prevented by knock at the
door, and the appearance Of lad who pre-
scented neatly folded paper, and disap-
peared.
1.-The butchers account, as true as |
live. exclaimed the astOnished shOemak-
er. "What is to be done, Mary? So
much to be paid out and very little coming
in, for some Of my best customers have left
me, although my work has always gwen
satisfaction. If | could only have as
much employment As usual, and the usual
credit allowed me, | could satisfy these
claims, but to meet them now is impossible
and the acknowledgment of nv inability
would send Us further on the downward
path
+" We must do our best and trust in
/ Providence was the consoling remark of
his wife, as second knock at the door
I aroused the fear that another claimant was
about to appear.
But the benevolent cOuntenance of Uncle
Joshua, a rare but very welcome visitor,
presented itself Seating himself in the
comfortable chair, which Mary hesitated
to hand him, he said in his eccentric but
friendly manner:
"Wel, good folks, understand the
world does not 20 On as well with you as
formerly What is the trouble d? :"
There 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 misfor-
tune, which we cndeavored to bear with
patience All would now 90 we'll if those
around us were not determined to push us
~ the downward path
But there lies the difficulty, friend
| Thompson. This is a selfish world. Every
body, or at least a great majority, care
only for number one. If they see poor
neighhor going down hill, their very 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. he onIy way Is 10 Keel
up appearances. Show signs Of going be.
hind-han and all viii not go well with
you"
Very true. Uncle Joshua, but how is
this to be done? Bills which did not e1
pect to be called upon to meet for the mex
three months are pouring in on me. Ny
hest customers are leaving me for a NOR,
fortunate rival In short, | am on the
brink of ruin, and naught but aHmiraclt
will save -
g A miracle which is very easily wrought
then, | imagine, my good friend. What i,
the amount of your debts which now press 81
heavily upon YOU, and how soon in tn,
coming course of'events could you discharge
them /"
They do not exceed enc hundred dol
lars" replied the shoemaker; and witt
my usual run of work, could make it al
right in three or four MONTHS
1--WE will say six, was the answer. 81
will advance YOU one hundred and fifty
dollars. Pay every cent you owe and with
the remainder of the money make some
shop or house, and put everything arounC
the grounds in its usual neat order. Try
this plan for few weeks, and we will see
what effect it will have upor
our worthy neighbors. No, no, never
mind thanking me- | an onl,
trying a little experiment on hu
man nature. know you of old and have
no doubt that my money is safe in your
hands,
Weeks passed by. The advice of Uncle
Joshua had been strictly followed, and til,
change in the shoemakerS prospects was
indeed wonderful lie was now spoken OF
as one of the most thriving men of the
village, and many marvellous stories were
told TO account for the sudden alteration in
his affairs.
1t was generally agreed that a distant
relative had bequeathel to him a legacy
which had entirely relieved him of his pc.
cuuiary difficulties. They had never betors
realized the beauty and durability of his
work. The polite butcher selected the
best piece of meat for his inspection, rs he
entered, and was totally Indifferent as tc
the time of payment. The teacher accom-.
panied the children home to tea, aud spoke
in high TENS of their improvement, pro
nouuciug them among his best scholars
The dressmaker very suddenly found her,
self free from the great press Of work, and
in friendly note expressed her desire tc
ob.ige Mrs. Thompson in any way in heI
power.
r. Just as ! expected" exclaimed Unc,t
Joshua, rubbing his hands exultingly, Il:
the grateful shoemaker called upon him a
the expiration of six months, with The
money which had been loaned ia the houl
: of need.
Just as | had expected A strange
world They are ready TO push man ~
hill when he seems to be ascending, ans
just as ready to push him down, if they
find that his face is turned that way II
, the future. neighbor Thompson, let every
thing around you wear an air of prosperity
and you will be sure to prosper"