The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-11-22
' Going Down Hill.
A Story for the Times.

That looks bad Z exclaimed Farmer
White. with an expressive shake of the
head, as he passed a neglected garden
and broken down fence, in one of hi,
daily walks.
Bad enough was the reply of the
companion to whom the remark waf
addressed. tNeighbcr Thompson ap.
pears to be running down hill pretty
fast. l can remember the time when
everything around his little place was
trim and tidy
1T is quite the contrary now,' re
turned the farmer. House, out.
buildings, and grounds sll show the
want of the masters care. am afraid
Thompson is in the downward path
He always appeared to be a steady,
industrious man. rejoined the second
speaker. q have pair OF boots, OF
his make, on my feet at this moment,
and they have done me good SERVICE
Il haye generally employed him for
myself and iamily,' was the reply, and
l must confess that he is good work
man; but, nevertheless, l believe l
will step into Jack Smiths this morn
ing and order pair of boots,o of which
[ stand in need. 1 always make it a
rule never TO patrOnize those who ap-
pear to be running behindhand. There
is generally some risk in helping those
who do not try to help themselves
very true and as my wife desired
me to see about pair of shoes for her,
l will follow your example aud call
upon Smith. Hs is no faverite of
mine, however-an idle, quarrelsome
fellow
Aud yet he seems to be getting
ahead in the wcrld,' answered the
farmer, 'and am willing to give him
, lift. But have an errand at the
butchers. Step in with me for mo.
ment. l will not detain you long,
AT the butchers they met the neigh.
Dor who had been the subject of their
previous conversation. He certsinly
presented rather shabby appearance,
Ind in his choice of meat there was a
egard for economy which did not es-
ape the observation of Farmer w hite.
After a few passing remarks, the
'Oor shoemaker took his departure,
nd the butcher opened his account
'ook with an anxious air, saying, as
e charged the bit OF meat:
Il believe it is time that ncighbor
thompson aud came to q settlement.
hort accounts make long friends
No time TO lose, l should say re-
larked the farmer.
Indeed! Iiave you heard of any
roublc, neighbor Whitc?'
No, have heard nothing; but a
IAN has the use of his own eyes, YOU
now and l never trust anyone with
~ money who is evidently going
own hill
Quite right and will send in my
i'll this evening. Ihave only delayed
DING SO on account of the sickness
'hich tho poor man has had in his
'mily all winter. l suppose he must
ave run behindhand little. but still
must take care Of number one.' {
Speaking of Thompson, are you? |
lquired bystander, who appeared to I
Ike an interest in the conversation.
iOing down hill, is he? l must look
ut for myself, then. He owes me ,
ute snug some for leather. 1 did
tend to give him another months
edit; but, on the whole, l guess the t
Oney would be safer in my own t
ocket.' &
Here the four worthless separated. I
'ch with his mind filled with the af. 6
irs of neighbor Thompson, the prob c
'ility that he was going down hill, =,
I'd the best way Of giving him push. r
In another part Of the little village, i
milar scenes were transpiring.
Il declare ! exclaimed Mrs. Bennett, Z
e dressmaker, to her favorite assist /
1t, as she hastily withdrew her head I
ON the window whence she had 8
zen gazing on the psssers by, if there t
not the shoemaker's wife, Mrs. a
thompson, coming up the steps with c
parcel in her hand. She wants to c
lgage me to do her spring sewing, 1 t
oppose, but think it would be a T
snture. Every one says they are
inning down hill, aud it is a chance
l eyer get my pay
She always has paid us promptly Il
as the reply. t
True; but that was in the days of I
or prosperity, cannot afford to run |
ny risks s
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson pre-. ,
ented further conversation.