Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-06-28
HIT HIM AGAIN.

udliH WdlhNs
Bad enough" was tho reply of the
to whom the remark was ad-
dressed.
"Neighbor Thompson appears to be run
ming down hill pretty fast. | can re-
member when everything about his place
was trim and tidy"
He always appeared to be steady,
man." rejoined the second
speaker. 81 have pair of boots on my
feet ut this moment of his make, and they
have done me good service"
81 have generally employed him for
myself and family" was the reply, land
must confess that he is good workman
but nevertheless | shall stop into Jack
Smiths this morning and order a pair of
boots, of which | am in need. | always
make it a rule never to patronize those
who appear to be running behind. There
is generally some risk in helping those
who won't help themselves"
VERY true, and as my wife desired
me to see about pair of shoes for her
this morning, will follow your example
and call on Mr.. Smith. He is no favorite
of mine, however-an idle, dissolute iel-
low."
And yet he seems to be getting ahead
in the world" answered the farmer, "and
l am willing to give him lift. But |
have an errand at the butchers. l will.
not detain you"
At the butchers they met the neighbor
who was the subject of their previous con-
versation. He certainly presented It very
shabby appearance, and in his choice OF
meat there was regard to economy
which did not escape the notice of farmer
White. After passing remarks the poor
shoemaker took his departure, and the
butcher opened his account book with
anxious air, saying as he charged the bit
Of meat:
6 believe it is time that neighbor
Thompson and | come to settlement.
Short accounts make long friends"
" No time to lose, l should say" re-
marked the farmer.
Indeed! Have you heard of any ;rou-
Bile, neighbor White ?"
"No! | have heard nothing; but n
man has the use of his own eyes, you
know; and | never trust anyone with
money who is evidently going down hill :"
"Quite right; and | will send in my
bill this evening. | have only been de-
laying on account of sickness the poor
man has had in his family all Winter. |
suppose he must have run Il little behind
hand, but still | must look out for num-
Der one."
"Speaking of Thompson, are you ?''
observed II bystander, who appeared to
take nm interest in the conversation.
Going down hill, is he? ] must look
out for myself then. He owes me a snug
sum or leather. | did intend to give
him another months credit, but on the
whole | guess the money would be safer
III my own pocket"
Here the four worthies separated, each
with his mind filled with the affairs OF
neighbor Thompson, the probability OF
his going down hill, and the best way oi
giving him push.
In another pat Of the village another
scene was tianspiring.
g declare" exclaimed Mr.. Bcnnet,
the drcssmakcr, to n favorite assistant, ms
she hastily Withdrew her head from the
window, whence she had been gazing on
passers by, " il there is not Mrs. Thomp-
son, the shocmaker's wife, coming up
the steps with parcel in her hand. She
wants me to do her work, suppose, but
! think it will be venture. Every one
says they are going down hill, and it will
be chance il ever get my pay"
" She always has paid us very prompt
~" was the reply.
" True; but that was in the days Of her
prosperity. | cannot afford to run any
risk"
The entrance Of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the re-
t'usal Of Mrs. Bennet to do any work for
her, but a great pressure of business WAS
pleaded as an excuse; there was nothing
to be said, and she took her leave. An
other application proved equally unsuc-
ce.sful. 1t was strange how busy the
village dressmakers had suddenly become.
On the way home the poor shoemaker's
wife met the teacher of Il small school in
the neghborhood, where two of her chill
dfen attended.
"Ah, Mrs. Thompson, / am glad to see
YOU" was the salutation. 81 was about
calling at your house. Would it be con-
venient to settle our little account this
afternoon ?"
"Our account !" was the surprised re-
ply. "Surely the term has not yet ex-
PRED"
"Only half Of it f; but my present rule
is to collect my money at that time. 1t
is plan which many teachers have
adopted of late"
81 was not aware that there had been
any change in your rules, and | have
made arrangements to meet your call at
the usual time. fear that it will be
impossible for me to settle until that
time"
The countenance Of the teacher showed
great disappointment, as she passed on
in different direction, she muttered to
herself:
Just as expected ; l shall never see
a cent. They say they are going down
hill and | must get rid Of the children in