Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-05-17
GOING DOWN HILL.

THAT looks bad" exclaimed far
mer White, with an expressive shake
of the head, as he passed a neglect
ed garden and broken dewn fence,
in one of his daily walks.
"Bad enough" was the reply of
the companion to whom the remark
was addressed.
"Neighbor Thompson appears to
be running down hill pretty fast
can remember when everything
around his little place was trim and
tidy"
''He always appeared 20 be a stea-
DIV, industrious man." Fejoined the
second speaker. Il 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 myself and family" was the re-
ply, "and must confess that he is q
workman; but nevertheless, be-
lieve shall step into Jack Smiths
this morning and order q pair Of
boots, Of which stand in need. /
always make IL a rule never to pat
ronize those who appear 10 be run
ming behind hand. There is gener-
ally some risk in helping those who
won't help themselves.
Every true; and as my wife desires
me to see about a pair of shoes for
her this morning, viii follow your
example and call upon Smith. He
is no favorite of mine however-an
idle, quarrelsome fellow"
"And yet he seems to be getting
ahead in the world" answered the
farmer, 'and am willing to give
him lift. But ! have an errand at
the butchers. / viii not detain
you"
at the butchers they met the
neighbOr who was the subject of
their previous conversation. He
certainly presented a rather shabby
appearance, and in his choice of
meat there was regard TO econo-
my which did not escape the obser-
vation of Farmer White. After
passing remarks, the poor shOema-
ker took his departure, and the
butcher opened his account book
with a somewhat anxious air, say
ing as he charged the bit of meat
81 believe It is time that neighbor
Thompson and come to settle
ment. Short accounts make long
friends"
sENo time to lose should say" re-
marked the farmer.
'1ndeedi Have you heard Of any
trouble, neighbor Whiteg"
''Nol L have heard of nothing; but
/ a man has the use of his own eyes,
YOU know; and never trust any one
with my money who is evidently
going down hill"
"Quite right; and l win send in
my bill this evening. l have only
delayed on account of the sickness
the poor man has had in his family
all winter. 1 suppose he must have
run behind little, but still must
look out for number one"
Speaking of Thompson, are
4 you?" observed a bystander, who
| appeared to take an interest in the
conversation, "Going down hill, II
he? / must look out for myself then
He ows me snug sum for leather
did intend to give him another
months credit, but on the whole
guess the money would be safer il
my own pocket"
Here the four worthless separated
each with his mind filed with tn,
affairs of neighbor Thompson, tn,
probability that he was going dowI
bill, and the best way OF giving hin
push.
In another part of the little vii
lage another scene was passing.
81 Declare" exclaimed Mrs. Ben.
nett, the dress maker, to a favoritt
| assistant, as she hastily withdrew
her head from the window, whence
she had been gazing on the passers.
by; elf there is not Mrs. Thompson
the shoe-maker's wife, coming NJ
the steps with parcel in her hand
She wants me 70 do her work,
suppose, but think it will be a ven.
tura. Every one says they are run
ming down hill, and it is chance i
[ ever get my pay"
"She always has paid us prompt.
| ly," was the reply.
"True; but that was in the days
of her prosperity. 1 cannot afford
to run any risk"
The entrance of Mrs. ThompsoI
prevented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised al
the refusal of Mrs. Bennett to do any
work for her; but as a great pres
sure of business was pleaded as an
excuse, there was nothing to be said
and she soon took her leave. An
other application proved equally un
successful. 1t was strange how busy
the village dress makers had sud
denly become.
| ON the way home the poor shoe.
makers wife met the teacher of :
small school in the neighborhoOd
/ where two of her children attended
| "Ah, Mrs. Thompson, am GLAD
to see YOU, was the salutation. 81
was about calling at your house,
Would it be convenient to settle oul
little account this afternoon?"
"Our account?0 was the surprised
reply. "Surely the term has mo-
vet expired"
"Oniy half of it; but my present
rule is to collect my money at tina
time. It is q plan which many teach
ers have adopted of late"
al was not aware that there haS
been any change in your rules, ant
have made arrangements to NEE
your bill at the usual time. fea
that it will be impossible for me Il
settle until that time"
The countenance Of the teache
showed great disappointment, an'
as she passed on in different direc
ton, she muttered to herself:
"Just as / expected. IBever shal
see a cent. Everybody says the,
are going down the hill. must ge
rid of the children in some way
Perhaps 1 may get pair of shoes o
two for payment for the half quar-
ter, if / manage right; but it vii
never do to 90 this way"
A little discompOsed by her inter
view with the teacher, Mrs. Thomp
son stepped into a neighboring gro
cery to purchase some trifiing arti
Gle of family necessaries.
81 have a little account agains
you. Will it be convenient for MI
Thompson to settle il this evening?
asked the polite shopkeeper, as b
produced the desired article.
sis it the usual time for settling!'
was again the surprised and anx
ious inquiry.
"Well, not exactly, but money
very tight Just now, and l ana anX
:. ious to get ali that is due me. /
the future intend to keep short az
counts. This is the little bill if yo
would like to see it. 1 will call 8
round this evening. 1t is but a sma
affair"
"Thirty dollars is no small sum [
, us Just now," thought Mrs. ThomI
son, as she thoughtfully pursue
her way toward home
cit seems strange that all thes
t payments must be met just nov
f while we are struggling 20 recove
: from the heavy expense of the VIII
? ter. l cannot understand it."
!. Her perplexity was increased b
: finding her husband with two bill
: in his hand, and a countenance e.
: pressiVe Of anxiety and concern.