Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-01-30

bill at the usual time. I fear it will not
lA6 In my a,oss.0r IN unnof Il So<,,ao,r y

bill at the usual time. I fear it will not
be in my power to meet it sooner"
The cOuntenance of the teacher
showed great disappointment, and as
she passed on in different direction,
she muttsred to herself:
"Just as I expected, shall never
get a cent. Everybody says they are
going down hill. l must get rid of the
children in some way. Perhaps may
get pair of shoes for payment Of the
half-quartcr if 1 manage right, but it
will never do to go on in this way"
| A little discomposed by her inter
view w1tn the trucihery AIRS. Hs..,...::ii'ss'il
stepped into q neighboring grocery to
purchase some trifing family stores.
~ have a little account against you.
Will it he convenient for Mr.. Thomp-
son to settle it this eveningi" asked
the civil shop keeper, as he produced
desired article.
|3Is it his usual time for settling I y
was again the surprised inquiry.
"Well, not exactly; but money is
tight just now, and am anxious to
get in all that is due me. In future
intend keeping short accounts. There
is your bill, if you would like to look
at it. l will call around this evening.
It is but q small affair.""
1Thirty dollars is no small amount
to us just now," thought Mrs. Thomp-
son, as she thoughtfully pursued her
way toward home. "It seems strange
that all these payments must be met
just now, while we are struggling to
recover from the heavy expense of the
winter. cannot understand it."
Her perpexity was increased upon
finding her husband with two bills in
his hand, and countenance express
Siye Of anxiety and concern.
'Look, Mary" said he, as she enter
ed. "here are two unexpected calls for
money-One from the doctor and the
other from the dealer in leather from
whom I purchased my last stock.
They are both very urgent for immedi-
ate payment, although they have al
ways been willing to wait a few months
until l could make arrangements to
meet their claims. But misfortunes
never come singly, and if a man once
gets little behind, trouble seems to
pour in upon him."
"Just so," replied the wife. ~Thc
neighbOrs think We are going down
hill and every one is rea@ly to give us
a push. Here are two more bills for
you, ono from the grocer and the other
from the teacher"
Reply was prevented by q knock at
the door, and the appearance Of a lad
who presented neatly folded paper
and disappeared"
''The butchers account, as !iye!n
exclaimed the as:onisled shoemaker.
"What is to be done, Mary; SO much
money to be paid ont, and SO very
little coming in; for some of my best
customers have left me, although my
work has always given satisfaction. If
I could only have as much employment
as usual, and credit allowed Inc, II
could soon satisfy all my claims; but
to meet theLl now is impossible, and
the acknowledgement of my inability
will send us still further on the down
ward path"
ave 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 an
other 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 hastened to hand
him, he said in his somewhat eccentric
but friendly manner:
"Well, good fellow, I understand the
world does not 60 quite so well with
you as formerly. What is the trouble Z"
'9There need be no trouble, sir" was
the reply, s.if men would not try to
add to the Affections which the Al
mighty sees to be necessary for us.
We met with sickness and misf0rtunes
which we endeavored to bear with pa
tience. All would 60 well if those
around me were not determined to
push me in the downward path"
"But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is q selfish world.
Everybody, or at least great majority
care only for number one. If they see
poor neighbor going down hill, their
first thought is whether it will affect
their own interests; and provided they
IAN secure themselves, they care not
how soon he goes to the bottom. The
)nly way is to keep up appearances.
Show no signs of going behind hand,
md all will go well with you" i
Every true, Uncle Joshua, but how
g this to be d0nei Bills which did
,ot expect to be called upon to meet
or the next three months are putting
n upon me. My best customers are !
eaving me for more fortunate rival. !
n short, am ON the brink of ruin, !
md naught but q miracle can save me"
"a miracle which is very easily
then, imagine, my good
riend. What il the amount of these s
lebts which hang 90 heavily upon you,
md how soon in the common cOurseOfI :
vents could you discharge themin
"They do not exceed one hundred
0llars," replied the shoemaker, t1and :
nth nv usual run of work / could