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

The countehance of the teacher showed
great disappointment, and as she passet
on in a different direction, she mutteret
to herself:
"Just as expected. I shall never gets'
cent. Everybody says they are going dowr
hill. I must get rid of the children IL
some way. Perhaps may get pair o.
shoes or tw for payment for the halfquar
ter if manage it right, but it will never
do to 60 on this way"
A little discomposed with her interview
with the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped
into neighboring grocery to purchase
some trifing articles of family stores.
sI have little account against you,-
Will it be convenient for Mr.. Thompson
to settle it this evening p asked the civil
shopkeeper, as he produced the desired ar
ticle."
s'Is it his usual time for settling % was
again the surprised inquiry.
"Well, not exactly, but money is very
tight Just now, and I am anxious to get in
J all that is due. In future intend keep
ing short accounts. There is your bill ii
YOU would like to look at it. [ will call
around this evening. 1t is but a small at
fair"
ssThirty dollars is no small amount to us
now,'' thought Mrs. Thompson, as she
thcughtfnlly pursued her way towards
home. cit seems strange that these pay
ments must be met now, while we are
struggling to recover from the heavy eX-
penses of the winter. | cannot under
stand it.
Her perplexity was increased upon find
ing her husband with two bills in his hand,
and countenance expressive of anxiety
and concern.
"Look, Mary" said he, as she entered.
s'Here are two unexpected calls for money
one from the doctor, and the other from
the dealer in leather from whom purcha-
sed my last stock. They are both very III
gent for Immediate payment, although
they have always been willing to wait
few months until | could make arrange
ments to meet their claims. But misfor-
tunes never come singly; and If man
once gets a little behindhand trouble seems
to pour in upon him.
"Just so, "replied his wife. ''The neigh
bors think we are going down hill, and
every one is ready to give us 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
J door, and the appearance of lad who pre-
sented neatly folded paper and dlsap-
peared.
1.-The butchers account, as [ live y ex-
claimed the astonished shoemaker. SWhat
is to be done, Mary ?" So much money to
be paid out, and very little coming in; for
some of my best customers have left me,
although my work has always given salts
faction. If could only have as much en-
ployment as usual, and the usual credit al
lowed me, I could soon satisfy all these
claims, but to meet them now is impossi-
BILE, and the acknowledgement OF my ina
bility would send us still farther on the
downward path.
eve must do our best, and trust in
Providence, /" was the consolatory reply 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 I'm
Gle Joshua, a rare but ever welcome vlsl-
tor, 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 fellow, / understand the
world does not go quite as well with you
as formerly. What is the trouble 20
ssThere need be no trouble, sir,p was the
reply eff men would not try to add to the
Affections which the Almighty sees to be
necessary for us. We met with sickness
and misfortunes, which we endeavored to
bear with patience. All would now go
well, if those around me were not deter
mined to push me, in the downward
path.''
sBut there lies the difficulty, friend
| THOMPSON. This is selfish world. Eve
rybody, 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 lnte-
rests; and provided they can secure them
selves, they care not how soon he goes to
the bottom. The only way is to keep up
appearances. Show no signs of going be-
midland, and all will go well with you. !"
every true, Uncle Joshua, but how IS
this to be done? Bills, which | did not eX-
pect to be called upon to meet for the next
three months, are pouring in upon me. My
best customers are leaving me for more
fortunate rival. In short, l am on the
brink of ruin, and naught save miracle
| can save me.''
GA miracle which is very easily wrought,
then, 1 imagine, my good friend What IS
the amount of these debts, W Itch press SO
heavily upon you, and how soon in the
common course of events, could you dis
charge them ?"
'eThey do not exceed one hundred dol
lars,'' replied the shoemaker, land with
my usual run of work, could make all
right in three or four months"
1--WE will say six, was the answer. II
will advance you one hundred and fifty
dollars for six months. Pay every cent
that you owe, and with the remainder of
the money, make some slight addition or
improvement in your shop OF house, and
put everything about the ground in it's
usual neat order. Try this plan for few
weeks; and we will see what effect it has
| uDOn our worthy neighbOrS."
"No, no, never mind thanking me; L
am only trying little experiment on hui
man nature. know you Of old and have
no doubt that my money is safe in your
hands,