The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1879-03-13

"Ihat looks bad, exclaimed litlilltl
| White, with an expressive shake ol the
head, as he passed a neglected garden
and broken down fences, in one OF hIs
daily walks.
'lIad enough" was the reply OF the
companion 10 whom the remark was all
dressed. "NeighbOr Thompson ap-
pcars to be running down hill pretty
| fast. | can remember the time when
everything around the place was trim
and tidy"
1T is quite the contrary, now" re-
| turned the farmer. blouse, Out-bUlld-
ings and grounds all show the want of
the masters care. ] am afraid ThOmp-
son is in the downward path"
"IIe always appeared To bea sturdy,
industrious man" rejOined the second
sneaker. 81 have a pair of boots on
my feet at this moment, Of his make,
and'they have done me good service.
Il have generally employed him tor
myself and family" was the reply,
Iand must confess that he Is good
workman; but, nevertheless, / believe
| shall 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 running behindhand.
There is generally some risk in help
ing those who do not try To help them
selves"
VERY true, and as my wife desired
me to see about a pair of shoes for her
this morning, | will follow your eX-
ample and call upon Smith. lie Is no
faYOrite of mine, hOweVcr-an Idle
QuarrelsOme fellow"
And vet he seems To be getting
ahead in the world answered the far
mer, "and | am willing to give him a
lift. But | have an errand at the
butchers. Step in with me for a mo-
ment. I will not detain you"
At the butchers they met the neigh
bOr who had been the subject of con-
yersatiOn. lie certainly presented 4
shabby appearance, and i'll his choice
of meat there was a regard tG economy
which did not escape the observation
of Farmer White.
After few passing remarks, the
poor shoemaker took his departure.
and the butcher opened his account
book with a somewhat anxious air,
saving. as he charged the bit of meat !:
Il believe il is time that neighbOr
tAllAl AaAlllN ~ a iAA
Short accounts make long Friends
NO time TO lose, | should say, re-
marked the farmer.
"Indeedl Have YOU heard of amy
trouble, neighbOr White|
"NO. | hare heard nothing; but 4
man has the use of his own eyes, you
know, and l never trust any one with
my money, who IS evidently going
down hill.
Quite right, and / will send in my
bill this evening. l have only delayed
on account Of the sickness which the
poor man has had in his family all
winter. | suppose he must have run
heEind little, but still | must take
care of number one"
speaking of Thompson, are yOuE'
observed Il bystander, who appeared te
take an interest in the conversation.
Going down hill, is he? l must look
out for myself then. He. owes me 4
snug little sum for leather l did in
tend To give him another six months
credit, but, on the whole | guess the
money would be safer in my own pOck-
ct"
Here the four WORTHLESS separated,
each with his mind filled with the af-
fair of his neighbOr Thompson, the
probability that he was going down
HILL the best way of giving him a
push.
In another part of the little village
similar scenes were passing.
Il declare~ exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dreSSmakeT, TO q faYOrite assistant.
as she hastily withdrew her head from
the window whence she had been glZ-
ing on the paSSers by, eff there is not
Mrs Thompson, the shOema6er's wife,
coming up the steps with a parcel in
her hand. She wants to engage me to
do the Spring work, | suppose, but l
think it would be a venture. Every
one says they are going down hill, and
It is 4 chance if over | would get my
pay
'She has always paid us promptly"
was the reply.
True, but that was i'm the days of
her prosperity. | can't afford 10 run
any risks
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson in
terrupted further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the
refusal of Mrs. Bennett TO do amy
work for her, but as 4 great pressure
of business was pleaded Us an excuse,
there was nothing to be said, and she
soon took her leave. Another appll-
cation proved equally unsuccessful.
1t was strange how busy the village
dressmakers had suddenly become.
On her way home, the poor shoe
makers wife met the teacher of a
small school in the neighbOrhOOd,
where two of her children attended.
"Ah! Mrs. Thompson, l am glad TO
see you,' was the salutatiOn. Il was
about calling at your house. Would II
be convenient to settle our little ac-
count this afternOOnT'
"Our account; :" was the surprised re-
ply, surely, the term has not yet eX-
piredl"
"Only half of il, but my present rule