Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-04-23

OuT account! was VIC Dull pIlocu
reply. "Surely the term has not yet
expired p
"Only half of it, but my present rule
is to collect my money at that time. 1t
is a 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 the bill at
the usual time. / fear it will not be In
my power to do so sooner"
The countenance of the teacher
showed great disappointment, and as
she passed on in a different direction,
she muttered to herself
"Just as / expected. / shall never
get cent. Everybody says that they
are going down hill. / must get rid of
the children in some way. Perhaps /
can get pair of shoes or two for pay
ment for the half quarter, if / manage
right. but it will never do to go on in
this way"
4 little discomposed by her interview
with the teacher, Mrs. Thompson
stepped into a neighboring grocery to
purchase some trifipg article of family
stores.
60 have little account against you.
Will it be convenient for Mr.. Thomp-
son to settle it this EVENING"" asked the
civil shopkeeper, as he produced the de-
sired article.
Is it his usual time for settling ?"
was again the surprised inquiry.
"Well, not exactly, but money is
very tight Just now, and L am anxious
to get in all that is due me. III future,
l intend keeping short accounts. There
is your little bill, if you would like to
look at it. l will call around this even
ing. 1t is small affair"
Thirty dollars Is no small sum to
us just now," thought Mrs. Thompson,
as she thoughtfully pursued her way
toward home. lit seems strange that
all these payments must be met just
now, while we are struggling to recover
from the heavy expenses of the winter.
l cannot understand it.
Her perplexity was increased upon
finding her husband with two bills in his
hand, and countenance expressive of
anxiety and concern.
"Look, Mary" he said, as she en-
tered. Here are two unexpected calls
for money-one from the doctor, and
one from the dealer in leather from
whom purchased my last stock. They
are both very urgent for immediate pay
ment, although they have always been
willing to wait @ few months until
could make arrangements to meet their
claims. But misfortunes never come
singly, and if man once gets little
behindhand, trouble seems to pour in
upon him.
Just So" replied the wife. "The
neighbors think we are going down hill,
and every one is ready to give us a
push. Here are two more bills for you
-one from the grocer and the other
from the teacher"
Reply was prevented by knock at
the door, and the appearance of lad
who presented neatly folded paper and
The butchers account, as / live p
exclaimed the astonished shoemaker.
What is to be done, Mary? So much
money to be paid out, and very little
coming in for some of my best GUS
toners have left me, although my work
has always given satisfaction. If /
could only have as much employment
as usual, and the usual credit allowed
me, could soon satisfy all these claims
but to meet them now is impossible,
and the acknowledgement of my inabil-
ity will send us still farther ON the down.
ward path.
"We must do our best, and trust in
Providence" was the consolatory re-
mark of his wife, as a second knock at
the door aroused the fear that another
claimant was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenance of
Uncle Joshua, rare but ever welcome
visitor, presented itself.
Seating himself in the comfortable
chair which Mary fastened to hand him,
he said, in his somewhat eccentric but
friendly manner:
Well, good folIs, I understand that
the world does not go quite as well
with you as formerly. What is the
trouble 2"
There need be no trouble, sir" was
the reply, "if men would not try to
add to the affections which the AL
mighty sees to be necessary for us.
The winter was trying one. We met
with misfortunes, which we endeavored
to bear with patience. All would now
60 well if those around me were not
determined to push me sn the downward
path.
But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is q selfish world.
Everybody, or at least great MAORI
ty, care only for number one. If they
see poor neighbor going down hill,
their first thought is whether it will af-
feet their own interests, and provided
they can secure themselves, they care
not how soon he goes to the bottom.
The only way is, to keep up appear
ances Show no signs of going behind
hand, and all will go well with you"
Every true, Uncle Joshua, but how
is this to be done? Bills which did
not expect to be called upon to meet for
the next three months are pouring in
upon me. My best customers are leav-
ing me for a more fortunate rival. In
short, I am On the brink of ruin,
and naught save miracle can save me- y
ga miracle which is very easily
wrought, then, I imagine, my good
friend. What is the amount of these
debts which press so heavily upon you,
and how soon. In the course of events.