Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-09-28
|. GOING DOWN HILL.

daily walks.
Bad enough" was the reply of his
companion TO whom the remark was ad
dressed. Neighbor Thompson appears
TO be running down hill pretty fast.
can remember the time when everything
around his little place was trim and
:idy."
at is quite the contrary now," re.
turned the farmer. blouse, out-build.
ings and grounds all show the want of the
masters care. / am afraid Thompson is
on the downward path"
--''He always appeared to be q steady,
industrious man." rejoined the second
speaker. " l have pair of boots, of his
make, on my feet at this moment, and
they have done me good service"
81 have generally employed him for
myself and family" was the reply, "and
/ must confess that he is q good work
man; but, nevertheless, l believe l will
step into Jack Smiths this morning and
order pair of boots, of which stand
in need always make it a rule never
to patronize those who appear to be run.
ming behindhand. There is generally
some risk in helping those who do not
try to help themselves"
Z" Very true; and, as my wife desired
me to see about pair of shoes for her, /
will follow your example and call upon
Smith. He is no favorite of mine, however
an idle, quarrelsome fellow"
b." And yet he seems to be getting ahead
in the world, answered the farmer, and
am willing to give him lift. But l
have an GRAND at the butchers. Step in
with me for moment. will not detain
you long"
At the butchers they met the neighbor
who had been the subject of their previ.
Gus conversation. He certainly presented
rather shabby appearance, and in his
choice of meat there was regard for
economy which did escape the observa-
tion of Farmer White.
After afew passing remarks, the poor
shoemaker took his departure, and the
butcher opened his account book with an
anxious air, saying, as he charged the bit
of meat:
st"T believe it is time that NeighbCl
Thompson and came to a settlement.
Short accounts make long friends"
" No time to lose, / should say" re-
marked the farmer.
"a $ lndeedl Have you heard of any
trouble, Neighbor WhiteS"
No, have heard nothing; but man
has the use of his own eyes, you know;
and I never trust anyone with my money
who is evidently going down hill"
stsQuite right; and / will send in my
bill this evening. l have only delayed
doing 80 on account of the sickness
which the poor man has had in his fam
lily all winter. l suppose he must have
srun behindhnnd little, but still must
take. care of number one"
"Speaking of Thompson, are youH
inquired bystander, who appeared to
take an interest in the conversation.
Going down the hill, is hey must look
cut for myself, then. He owes me quite
a snug sum for leather did intend to
. give him another months credit; but, on
8 the whole, guess the money would be
safer in my own pocket"
Here the four worthless separated, each
with his mind filed with the affairs of
Neighbor Thompson, 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 transpiring.
.s'sI declarep exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dressmaker, to her favorite assistant,
as she hastily withdrew her head from
whence she had been gazing on the pas
eers-by, "if there is not the shoemaker's
wife, Mrs. Thompson, coming up the
steps with parcel in her hand. She
wants to engage me to do her spring
sewing, suppose, but think it would
be venture. Every one says they are
running down hill, and it is chance if
ever get my pay"
She always has paid us promptly"
was the reply.
True; but that was in the days of
her prosperity. l cannot afford to run
any risks"
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented further conversation.
She was evidently surprised By the re-
fusal 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. Another application proved
equally unsuccessful. 1t was strange
how very busy the village dressmakers
had suddenly become.
On her way home the poor shoemakers
wife met the teacher of small school in
the neighborhood, where two of her
children attended.
All, Mrs. Thompson, I am glad to
see you," was the salutation. al was
about calling this afternoon at your
house, Would it be convenient to settle
our little account to-day?"
"Our accountm was the surprised re-
ply. Surely the term has not yet ex-
piredS' %
,e''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"
II was not aware that there had been
any, change in your rules, and l 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 abe muttered to herself:
"Just as / expected / shall never
get a cent. Everybody says they are
going down hill. l must get rid of the
children in some way. Perhaps can
get pair of shoes or two in payment
for the half quarter, if manage right,
but 1t will never do to 60 on in this way"
A little, discomposed by her interview
with the teacher, Mrs. Thompson stepped
into a neighboring grocery to purchase
some trifling articles of family stores
have little account against you.
Will IT be convenient for Mr.. Thompson
to settle it this evening?" asked the civil
shopkeeper, us he produced the desired
articles.
ats i his usual time for settlingP" was
again the surprised inquiry.
well, not exactly, but money is very
tight just now, and am anxious to get
In all that is due to me. In future i In
tend TO keep short accounts. There is
your little bill il you would like to look
at II. will call around this evening. 1t
is but 2 small affair"
Thirty dollars is no small sum to us
jY now" thought Mrs. Thompson, as
81 pursued her way toward home. at
seems strange that all these accounts
nIpSt be met just now, while we are
Al IIsara 40.