Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-01-31
Miscell
GOING DOWN HILL.

as he passed a neglected garden and broken
down fence, in one Of his daily walks.
" Bad enough" was the reply Of his com.
panion.
d" Neighbor Thompson appears to be run.
ming down hill very fast / can remember
when everything around bis place was trim
aud tidy" He always appeared to be a
steady, industrious man, rejoined the second
speaker. have a pair of boots on my
feet at this moment Of his make, and they
have done me good service
81 have generally employed him for my
self and family" was the reply, "and must
confess that he is good workman; but never
theless, believe | shall step into Jack
Smiths this morning, and order a pair Of
boots Of which | stand in need always
make It rule never to patronize those who
appear to be running behind hand. There is
generally some risk in helping those who won't
help themselves
Very true and as my wife desired me to
look at pair Of shoes for her this morning,
will follow your example and call upon
Smith. He is no great favorite Of mine. how.
aggy, an idle quarresome fellow"
" Ard yet he seems to be getting along in
the world, = answered the farmer, a. and / am
willing 70 give him lift But have an
errand at the butchers. will not detain
you"
At the butchers they met the neigbbor
who was the subject of their previous conyer.
sation. He certainly presented rather shah
by appearance and his choice of meat here
was the observation of farmer White. Az
ter passing remarks, the poor shoemaker took
his departure and the butcher opened bis ac-
count book with an anxious air, saying as he
charged the bit of meat
" believe it is time neighbor Thompson
and ! come to a settlement Short accounts
make long friends"
"No time to lose, should say" replied
the farmer.
i" Indeed have you heard of any trouble,
ucighbor White ?"
" No, have heard nothing, but man
has the use Of his eyes, you know and
never trust any one with money, who is evil
deutly going down hill"
"Quite right and will send in my bill
this evening. | have only delayed on ac-
count Of the sickness the poor man has had n
the family all winter. | suppose he must
have run behind little, but still | must take
care Of number one.
Speaking of Thompson, are you p OBJ
served a bystauder, who appeared to take an
interest in the observation. "Going down
hill, is he2 must look out for myself then.
lie owes me quite a snug sum for leather /
did intend to give him another months credit,
but on the whole guess the money will be
safer in my own pocket"
Here the four worthless, separated each
with his mind filed with the affairs Of neigh.
Dor Thompson, the probability that he was
going down hill and the best way to give him
push.
In another part Of the village similar
scenes were passing.
a" | declare" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett the
dressmaker, to a favorite assistant as she has
tily withdrew her head from the window,
whence she had been gazing on the passers
by, "if there is not Mrs. Thompson, the shoe
makers wife, coming up the steps with par
eel in her hand. She wants me TO do her
work but think il would be a venture. Ev-
cry one says they are running down hill, aud
it is a chance if ever get my pay"
&" She has always paid us promptly" was
the reply
True but that was in the days Of her
prosperity. | can not afford TO run any risk. "
Ths eats@ase of M-o. ThAs~raes,, r~arAniAd
any further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the refusal
Of Mrs. Bennett to do any work for her but
as great pressure of business was pleaded a.
an excuse, there was nothing to be said, and
she soon took her leave.
Another application proved equally unsuc-
cessiul, 1t was strange how busy the village
dressmakers had suddenly become
Ga the way home, the poor shoemaker 5
wife met the teacher Of small school 10 the
ueighborhood, where two Of her children at
tended.
"A" " Mrs Thompson, am glad to see
you, was the salutation. =" | was about
calling at your house Would it be conven-
lent ts settle our account this afternoon ?"
"Our account?" was the surprised reply.
Surely the term has not yet expired
" Only half Of it, but my present rule is to
collect money at any time. 1t is plan which
many teachers have adopted Of late"
" was not aware that there had been any
change in your rules, aud | have made ar.
rangements to meet your bill at the usual
time. fear that it will not be in my power
to do so sooner"
The countenance Of the teacher showed
great disappointment and as he passed on in
a different direction be muttered to himself.
" Just as | expected | shall never see {
cent Everybody says they are going down
hill must get rid of the children some
way. Perhaps | may get a pair Of shoes OF
two in payment Of the half quarter, if man.
age it right but it will never do to 60 on in
this way.
a little dscomposed by her interview with
the teacher, Mrs, Thompson stepped inte a
neighborng grocery to purchase some trifing
articles of family stores.
81 have little account against you, and
would it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson tc
settle it this evening p asked the polite shop.
keeper as he produced the desired article.
Is it his usual time for settling? ?" wa,
again the surprised inquiry.
" Well, no, exactly but money is very
tight just now, ond am anxious to get al
that is due me. 10 future intend to keeI
short accounts. There is The little bill, if yol
would like to look at IT, | will call arounC
this evening. 1t is but very small affair"
Thirty dollars is no snsll sam to us jus
now" thought Mrs Thompson, as she pursued
her way towards home masingly [" Il seem
strange that all these payments must be me
just now, while We are struggling to recover
from the heavy expense Of the winter | CO
not understand it,"
Her perplexity was increased by andipg he
husband with two bills in his hand, aud I
countenance expressive of anxiety and cod
cern.
Look, Mary he said as she entered
here are two unexpected calls for money
one from the doctor, and the other from tn,
dealer in leather from whom purchased m,
asst stock. They are both very urgent 70
immediate payment, although they have al
ways been willing to wait few months unit
could make arrangements to meet thei
claims. But misfortunes never come singly
and if man gets little behind hand, troubl
seems to pour in upon him."
"Just so" repliel the wife " the neighbor