Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1872-12-26

push. Here are two more bills for
you lone from the grocer and the other
from the teacher
Reply was prevented by knock at
the door, and the appearance Of lad
who presented neatly folded paper
and disappeared.
''The butchers account, as i live T.
exclaimed the astonislled shoemaker.
"What is TO be done, Mary? So much
money to be paid ont and very little
coming in: for some 0fmy best cnstu.
toners have left me, although my
work has always given satisfaction. Ii
| could only have as much employ
ment as usual, and the usual credit al
lowed me. could soon satisfy all these
claims: but to meet them now Is iIn-
possible, and the acknowledgment of
my inability would sendus stilron the
downward path"
"We must do our best, and trust in
Providence" was the consoling remark
of his wife, as a second knock at the
door aroused the fear that another
claimant was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenance Of
Uncle Joshua, a rare but ever-welcome
visitor, presented itself. Seating him.
self in the comfortable chair that Mary
hastened to hand him, he said, in his
eccentric but friendly manner.
"Well, good folks, / understand the
world does not 70 as well with you as
formerly. What is the trouble 7"
"There need be no trouble" was the
reply, s.if men would not try to add to
the Affections which the Almighty sees
to be necessary for us. The winter
was q trying one. We met with sick
ness and misfortunes, which wo en-
deavered to bear with patience. All
would now go well if those around us
were not determined to push me in
the downward path.'
'But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is selfish world
Everybody, or at least q great majority,
care only for number one. Ifthey see
4 poor neighbor going down hill, their
first thought is whether it will affect
their own interests; and provided
they can secure themselves, they care
not how soon he goes to the bottom.
The only way is to keep up appear
ances. Show no signs of going be.
hindhand, and all will 60 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 pouring
in upon me. My best customers are
leaving me for a more fortunate rival.
In short, am on the brink OF ruin
and naught but q miracle can save me" /"
"A miracle which is very easily
wrought then. imagine, my good
friend. What is the amount of your
debts which press SO heavily upon you,
and how soon, in the common course
of events. could you discharge them p
l"They do not exceed twenty-five
pounds" replied the shoemaker
aand with nv usual run Of work /
could make all right in three or four
mouths. No.. ..gtgs syyss-.vs
aWc will say six was the answer.
II will advance you forty pounds for
six months. Pay every farthing you
owe, and with the remainder Of the
money make some slight addition or
Improvement in your shop or house,
and put everything about the grounds
in its usual neat order. Try this plan
for few weeks, and we will see what
effect it has upon our worthy neigh
bors, No, no, never mind thanking
me. am only trying little experi-
ment on hnman nature. know yOu
Of old, and have no doubt that my
money is safe in your hands,"
Weeks passed by. The advice Of
| TTnr1n Ynphpn hol haa,, ctvsnfl,. y.~l-
lowed, and the change in the shoe
makers prospects was indeed wonder
full. He was now spoken ofas one of
the most thriving men in the village,
and many marvellous stories were told
to account for the sudden alteration in
his affairs.
1t was generally agreed that dis
tant relative had bequeathed TO him
legacy, which had entirely relieved
him Of his pecuniary difficulties. They
had never before realized the beauty
and durability ofhis work. The po-
lite butcher selected the best pieces Of
meat for his inspection, as he entered,
and was totally Indifferent as 10 the
time of payment. The teacher accom-
panied the children home to tea. and
spoke in high terms Of their improve
ment, pronounced them among her
best scholars. The dressmaker sud-
denly found herself free from the great
press Of work, and in friendly note
expressed her desire to oblige Mrs.
Thompson in any way in her power.
Just as expected exclaimed Un-
Gle Joshua, rubbing his hands exult-
ingly, as the grateful shoemaker called
upon him at the expiration of six
months, with the money which had
been loaned in the hour Of need. "Just
as I expected. A strange world
They are ready to push him down ii
they find that his face is turned that
way. In future, neighbor Thompson
let everything around you, as far n
| you can with honesty, wear an air o
prosperity, and you will. with God
blessing on your honest endeavors b,
sure to prosper To secure this end
you need not be extravagant, or max
such show as will not allow OF any
thing being put in the savings ban
against rainy day." And, with
satisfied air, Uncle Joshua placed hi
money in his pocket-book ready t
meet some other claim upon his bene,
olence, while he whom he had thus bt
friended. with cheerful conntenanc
returned to his happy home.
BRiTIsH WoRKAAN.
The '.Iieathcn Chincc' will soon re
joice himself that he can testify in IN
courts of California. Heretofore Will
doing the lowest and most degradin
of menial service for the .'civilized
whites, he has been worried and badg
cred. stoned, stabbed and shot withou
the right to testify in his own detcns
or to call upon a brother Almond Ey
to testify for him. 1t is only a few
days ago that white man was arrest
ed for assault, with intent TO kill, upo
one Seim Wah. an ignoble Celestial
Seim was called was called MS witncs
in the first trial and .whitie" was cor,
victcd. The case was appealed to III
supreme court of the State, and I'll
old decision that the Mongolian coul
not testify i'm the courts Of Californi.
kwas reiterated. and the offender grant
cd new trial at which he viii IN
doubtedly be set free. But on the fir;
day of the new year, the new cod,
recognizing men Of all nationalities. Z
whatever color, rs competent witnesses
will go in force, and the word of A
Sin, il unimpeached, will be as good Q