The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-12-18
Going DOsCn Hill.


hope you do too so-good night
Going DOsCs Hill.
By Mrs. S. P. DOUGHTY.
'That looks bad" exclaimed far
mer White, with an expressive shake
of the head, as he passed a neglected
garden and broken down fences IN
one Of his daily walks.
"Bad enough was the reply OF the
companion to whom the remark was
addressed. hNeighbor Thompson ap-
peared to be running down hill pretty
fast. can remember the time when
everything around his little place was
trim and tidy"
''It's quite the contrary now" re-
turned the farmer. aHouse, out
building, and grounds, all show the
want OF care. / am afraid Tnomp-
son is in the downward PATH
"He always appeared TO be asteady,
industrious man." rejoined the sec
ond speaker. ST have pair of boots
on my feet at this moment, Of his
make, and they have done me good
SERVICE" --f
'I have generally employed him
for myself and family" was the re-
ply, ''and must confess that he is
good workman but nevertheless,
believe shall step into Jack Smiths
this morning and order pair of
boots, of which stand in need. 1
alWaye make it q rule never to pat
ronize those who appear to be running
behindhand. There is generally some
risk in helping those VINO do not try
to help themselves.D
"Very true /; and as my wife desired
me to see about pair of shoes for her
this morMng, VIII follow your ex-
ample and call upon Smith. He is
no great favorite OF mine, however
an idle, quRrrelsome fellow"
"And yet he seems 10 be getting
ahead in the world" answered the
farmer, "and 1 am willing to give him
q lift. But / have an errand at the
butchers. Step in with me a mo-
ment will not detsin YOU" ME
| AT the butchers they met the neigh
Dor who had been the subject Of their
previous conversation. He certainly
presented rather shabby appearance;
and in his choice of meat, there was 8
regard to economy which did not es-
cape the observation of farmer White.
After a few passing 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
II believe it Is time that neighbor
Thompson and / come to settlement"
mo time to lose, should say" re-
marked the farmer.
"Indeed Have you heard of any
trouble, neighbor White ?" 7o
mo, have heard 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 hiIl.n
"Quite right and Twill send in my
bill this evening. / have only delay
ed on account of the sickness which
the poor man has had in his family
all winter. suppose be must have
run behindhand little, still l must
take care OF number one"
speaking Of Thompson, are you ?"
observed bystander, who appeared
to take an interest in the conversa-
| tion. ''Going down hill, is he? 1
must look out for myself, then. Ibid
intend to give him another months
credit; but, on the whole, 1 guess the
money would be as safe in my own
pocket"
Here the four WORTHLESS separated,
each with his mind filed with the
affairs of neighbor Thompson, and the
probability that he was going down
mill, and the best way of giving him
push. -s. ..- fg
In another part of the little village
similar scenes were passing.
81 declare" exclaimed Mrs. Ben
nett, the dress-maker, 10 q favOrite
assistant, as she hastily with drew
her head from the window, whence
she had been gazing on the passers
by, ''if there is not Mrs. Thompson,
the shoemaker's wife, coming up the
steps with q parcel in her hand. She
wants TO engage me to do her
Sprnig work, suppose but 1
think it would be q venture. Every
one says they are running down hill,
and it's chance if l ever get my
pay" 81
"She has always paid up promptly"
was the reply.
"rrUe :. but that was In the days of
ucE pIOcpcIllys l. CauhOO oAAOAN ~
run any risk"
The entrance Of Mrs. Thompson
prevented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the
refusal of Mrs. Bennett, to do any
work for her but as a great pressure
of business was pleaded as an excuse,
there was nothing to be said, and she
soon took leave. Another applica-
ton proved equally unsuccessful. 1t
was strange how busy the dressmak-
ers had suddenly become.
On the way home, the poor shoe
makers wife met the teacher Of a
small school in the neighborhood
where two of her children attended
"Ah Mrs. Thompson, [ am glad to
see you" was the salutation. Il was
about calling at your house. Would
it be conyenient to settle our little ac-
count this afternoon P
''OuF account % was the surprised
reply. "Surely the term has not yet
expired ?"
iOnly half of it, but my present
rule Is 10 collect my money at that
time. It is plan which many teach
ers have adopted OF late.n
~ was not aware that there has
been any charge in your rules, and L
have made arrangements to meet the
bill at the usual time 1 fear it will
not be In my power to meet it SOON
err @ s4l.
The countenance OF the teacher
showed great disappointment, and as
she passed on in different direction,
she muttered to herself:
"Just as expected. shall never
get cent. Everybody says they are
going down hill. must get rid Of
the children in some way. Perhaps
may get pair of shoes or two for
payment, for the half quarter if I
manage right, but it will never do to
go on this way"
A little discomposed with her inter-
view with the teacher, Mrs. Thomp-
son stepped into neighboring grocery
to purchase some trifiing article Of
family stores
az have a little account against
YOU. Viii it be convenient for Mr..
Thomson to settle il this evening ?p
asked the civil shopkeeper, as he pro-
duced the desired article.
ais it his usual time for settling ?'i
was again the surprised inquiry.
"Weii, not exactly, but money is
very tight just now, and AN anx-
sous to get in all that is due me. In
future, 1 intend keeping short ac-
counts. There is your bill, if you
would like to look at it. L will call
around this evening. 1t is but small
AFFAIR."
''Thirty dollars is no small amount
to US just now," thought Mrs. Thomp-
son, as she thoughtfuIly pursued her
way toward home. "Itseems strange
that all these payments must be met
just now, while we are struggling to
recover from the heavy expenses of
the winter. cannot understand it"