Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-01-23
GOING DOWN HILL.

4
ssThat looks bad,'' exclaimed farmer
! White, with an expressive shake of the
head, as he passed a neglected garden an(
broken down fences ; in one of his daily
walks.
bad enough was the reply of the com
panion to whom the remark was addressed
| s'Neighbor Thompson appears to be run.
ming down hill pretty fast. can remem
Der the time when everything about his
premises was trim and tidy"
! ''Its quite the contrary now,'' returned
the farmer 'tHouse, out-buildings and
grounds, all show the want of care. [ am
afraid Thompson is on the downward
path.''
| "He always appeared to be steady, in.
dustrious man, 'rejoined the second speak.
er. II have pair of boots on my feet
! this moment of his make, and they have
! done me good service"
II have generally employed him for my
self and family was the reply, ''and
| must confess he is good workman; but
! nevertheless, believe I shall step into
| Jack Smiths this morning and order pail
| of boots of which [ stand in need. al
ways make it rule never to patroniZe
those who appear 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 abouta pair of shoes for her this
| morning, will follow your example and
call upon Smith, He is no great favorite
of mine, however-an idle, quarrelsome
| fellow"
"And yet he seems to be getting ahead
in the world, }" answered the farmer, land
| am willing to give him a lift. But l have
an errand at the butchers. Step in with
me moment, 1 will not detain your
At the butchers they met the neighbo1
| who had been the subject of their CONVEX
sation. He presented certainly shabby
appearance; and in his choice of meat
there was regard for economy that did
not escape the observation of farmer
White. After few passing remarks the
poor shoemaker took his departure, and
| the butcher opened his account book with
a somewhat anxious air, saying as he char.
ged the bit of meat:
II believe it is time that neighbo1
Thompson and [ came to a settlement"
mo time to lose, I should say" remark
| ed the farmer.
"Indeed have you heard of any trouble
fneighbor White 20
mo, have heard nothing; but a man
has the use of his own eyes, you know, and
1 meyer trust any one with my money who
is going down hill"
"Quite right, and will send in my bill
| this evening. have only delayed on &C.
count of the sickness which the poor man
| has had in his family during the winter
I suppose he must have run behind hand d
little still, I must take care of number
one."
Speaking of Thompson, are you ?" OBJ.
served a bystander, who appeared to take
an interest in the conversation. Going
down, hill, is he? [ must look out for my
self, then. I did intend to give him anoth-
er months credit, but on the whole, ]
guess the money would be as safe in my
own pocket.
Here the four worthless separated each
with his mind filled with the affairs of
neighbor Thompson, and the probability
that he was going down hill, and the best
way of giving him push.
In another part Of the village similar
scenes were passing.
II DECLARE" exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dressmaker, to a favorite assistant, as
she hastily withdrew her head from the
window, whence she had been gazing On
the passers by, eff there is not Mrs.
Thompson, the shoemaker's wife, coming
up the steps with a parcel in her hand
She wants to engage me to do her spring
work, I suppose, but think it would be a
venture. Every one says they are running
down hill, and its a chance. if l ever get
my pay"
"She has always paid us promptly" was
the reply.
ssTrue; but that was in the days of her
prosperity. 1 cannot afford to run any
| risks.''
| The entrance of Mrs. Thompson preven-
ted further conversation.
| She was evidently surprised at the refus-
al 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 her leave. An
other application proved equally unsuc-
cessful. 1t was strange how busy the
dress makers had suddenly become.
| On the way home the poor shoemaker
wife met the teacher of small school in
the neighborhood, where two Of her chill
, dren attended.
"Ah, Mrs. Thompson, am glad to see
you,'' was the salutation. II was about
calling at your house. Would it be conve'
nient to settle our little account this af
ternoon 20
"Our account ~ was the surprised re-
plv. s.Surely the term has not yet expir
ed ?''
''Only half. but my present rule is to
collect my money at that time. 1t IS
plan which many teachers have adopted Of
late"
II was not aware that there had beer
any change in your rules, and I HAAS az
rangements to meet the bill at the usua
time; fear it will not be in my power tt