Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-01-30
GOING DOWN HILL.
= By MRS. Q. r. DOUGHTY.

head, as he passed a neglected gartler
with broken down fence, i'll one of hi
daily walks.
"Bad enough" was the reply of thu
companion to whom the remark was
addressed. "NeighbOr Thompson ap
pears to be going down hill pretty fast
l can remember the time when every
thing around his little place was trim
and tidy" -.. 7s-.s.- a 4
ats quite the contrary now," re
turned the farmer. "HOuse, Outbuild
ings and grounds all show the want o.
care; I am afraid Thompson is in thu
downward path"
"He always appeared to be steady
industrious man." rej0ined the second
my feeC at this moment, of his make
and they have done me good service
~ have generally employed him fol
myself and family" was the reply
"and I must confess that he is a good
workman; but nevertheless believe
l shall step into Jack Smiths this
morning and order pair of boots,. OF
which l stand in need. always make
it rule never to patronize a man who
appears to be running behind hand.
There is generally some risk in helping
those who do not try to help them
selves"
every true, and as my wife desired
me to see about pair of shoes for her
this morning, will follow your exam
pie and call upon Smith. He is no
great favorite of mine, however-an
idle, quarrelsome fellow"
"And yet he seems to be getting
along in the world" answered the far
mer, "and / am willing to give him a
lift. But I have an errand at the
butchers. Step in with me moment.
l will not detain you.
at the butchers they met the neigh
b0r who had been the subject of their
previous conversation. He certainly
presented rather shabby appearance,
and in his choice of mea, there was a
regard to economy which did not es-
cape the observation of farmer White.
After few passing remarks, the poor
shoemaker took his departure, and the
butcher opened his account book with
= somewhat anxious air, saying rs he
charged the bit Of meat
IL believe it is time neighbor Th0mp-
son and came to a settlement"
"NO time to lose, should say" re-
marked the farmer.
'Indecd! Have you heard Of any
trouble, neighbor Whiter
"NO, 1 have heard nothing, but q
man has the use of his eyes, you know;
and l never trust any one with my
money who is evidently going down
hill.n
"Quite right; and will send my
bill this evening. have only delayed
on account Of tho sickness the poor
man had in his family all winter.
suppose he must have run behind
hand a little, still ! must take care Of
number one"
"Speaking Of Thompson, are youi"
observed q bystander, who appeared
to take an interest in the conversation.
Going down hill, is he! must look
out for myself, then. l did intend to
give him another months credit, but
on the whole, l guess the money would
be as safe in my own pocket"
Here the four worthless separated,
each with his mind filed with the af-
fairs of neighbor Thompson, and the
that he was going down
hill, and the best way Of giving him q
push.
In another part of the little village
similar scenes were passing.
81 declare" }" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dress maker, to q favoritc assist
ant, as she hastily withdrew her head
from the window whence she had been
gazing on the passers by, "if there is
not Mrs. Thompson, the sh0emaker's
wife, coming up the steps with par
,el in her hand. She wants to engage
ne to do her Spring work, I suppose,
,ut think it would he q venture. Ev-l
,rybody says they are running down
1ill, and it's chance if l ever get my
,ay."
"she has always paid Us promptly"
vas the reply.
tsTrue, but that was in the days of
ler prosperity. I cannot afford to run
my risks"
The entrance of Mrs Thompson pre-
'ented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the
efusal of Mrs. Bennett to do any work
or her; but rs q great pressure of bust
less was pleaded as an excuse, there
vas nothing to be said, and she soon
0Ok her leave. Another application
'roved equally unsuccessful. 1t was
TRANCE how busy the dress makers
ad suddenly become. /
On the way home the poor shoemak-
rs wife met with the teacher Of q
man school in the neighborhood
here twU of her children attend. /;
'"Ah! Mrs. Thompson, Pm glad to
Do y0u," was the salutatiOn. II was
bout calling ct your house. Wouldn't ,
; be convenient to settle our little ,
ccount this afterno0nr /,
"Our account p was the surprised
sply. "Surely the term has not yet :
xpiredr II
tOnly half oft, but my present rule !
to collect my money at that time. !
; il . plan which many teachers have
lopted Of late" p
II was not aware that there had !
=