The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-10-29
MISCELLANY.
GOING DOWN HILL.

ssThat looks bad, exclaimed farmer White
with an expressive shake of the head, as he
passed neglected garden and broken-down
fence, in one of his daily walks.
dad enough" was the reply of the COM
panion to whom the remark was addressed.
..Neighbor Thompkins appears to be run
ming down hill pretty fast 4 can remember
when everything around his little place was
trim and tidy"
az He always appeared to be steady, indus
trious man." rejoined the second speaker. .
have pair of boots on my feet at this mo-
ment of his make, and they have done me
good service"
81 have generally employed him for my
self and family was the reply, land must
confess that he is good workman; but,
nevertheless believe | shall step into Jack
Smiths this morning, and order pair of
rule never to patronize those who appear to
be running behindhand. There is generally
some risk in helping those who won't help
themselves
." Very true, and as my wife desires me to
see about pair of shoes for her this morn
ing, will follow your example and call upon
Smith, He is no great favorite of mine, how
eyer-an idle, quarrelsonle fellow"
4And yet he seems to be getting ahead in
the world answered the farmer, "and l am
willing to give him lift. But have an er-
rand at the butchers. win not detain you. J"
At the butchers they met the neighbor
who was the subject of their previous CONVEX
sation. He certainly presented rather shah
by appearance, and in his choice of meat there
was regard to economy which did not escape
the observation of farmer White. After pas
sing remarks, the poor shoemaker took his
departure, and the butcher opened his account
book with somewhat anxious air, saying, as
he charged the bit of meat
81 believe it is time that Neighbor Thomp-
son and came to settlement Short ac-
counts make long friends" 1915
"No time to lose, should say" remarked
the farmer.
"Indeed. Have you heard of any trouble,
neighbor White ?"
"No, Ihave heard of nothing, but man
has the use of his own eyes, you know, and
never trust any one with my money who is ev-
identity going down hill"
"Quite right, and I win send in my bill this
evening. have only delayed on account of
the sickness the poor man has had in his fam
ily all winter suppose he must have run
behind little, but still, must take care OF
number one."
"Speaking of Thompson, are you ? = OBJ
served bystander, who appeared to take an
interest in the conversation. "Going down
hill, is he /? must look out for myself, then.
He owes me quite snug sum for leather
did intend to give him another months cred
it, but on the whole, Iguess the money would
be safer in my own pocket"
Here the four worthless separated, each with
his mind filed with the affairs of neighbor
Thompson, the probability that he was going
down hill, and the best way of giving him 9
push.
In another part of the little village similar
scenes were passing.
az declare" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett, the
dressmaker, to afavorite assistant, as she hast
ily withdrew her head from the window
whence she had been gazing on passers-by,
{. if there is not Mrs. Thompson, the shoe
makers wife, coming up the steps with a par
eel in her hand. She wants me to do hel
work, suppose, but think it would be
venture. Every one says they are running
down hill, and it is chance if ever get m!
pay"
'sShe always has paid us promptly" was
the reply.
True, but that was in the days of he
prosperity. cannot afford to run any risk
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson prevented
conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the refusa
of Mrs. Bennett to do any work for her, blu
as great pressure of business was pleaded a
an excuse, there was nothing to be said, am
she soon took her leave. Another application
proved equally unsuccessful. 1t was strang
how busy the village dressmakers had sudden
| ly become.
On the way home, the poor shoemaker
wife met the teacher of small school in TIN
neighborhood, where two of her children at
tended.