Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-04-24

rule is to collect money at any time. It's
a plan which many teachers have adopted
of late y
81 was not aware that there had been
any change in your rules, and | have
made arrangements to meet your bill at
the usual time. fear that it will not be
in my power to do so sooner"
The countenance of the teacher showed
great disappointment, and as he passed
on in different direction he muttered
to himself:
''Just as expected; shall never see
a cent. Everybody says they are going
down hill. Imust getrid of the children
some way. Perhaps I may get pair Of
shoes or two in payment Of the half
quarter, if manage it right; but it will
never do to go on this way"
A little discomposed by her interview
with the teacher Mrs. Thompson stepped
into a neighboring grocery to pur-
chase some trifing articles of family
stores.
II have little account against you,
and would it be convenient for Mr..
Thompson to settle it this evening n
asked the polite shopkeeper as he pro
duced the desired article.
is it his usual time for settling ~ was
again the surprised question
s'Well, not exactly; but money is very
light just now, and am anxious to get
all that is due me. In future I intend
to keep short accounts. There is the
little bill if You would like to look at it.
will call around this evening. It is b
very small affair.""
''Thirty dollars is no small sum to us
just now" thought Mrs. Thompson, as
she pursued her way toward home mu-
singly. '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 perplexity was increased by finding
her husband with two bills in his hand,
and a countenance expressive of anxiety
and concern.
Look, Mary" he said, as he entered,
''here are two unexpected calls for money
-one from the doctor, and the other
from the dealer in leather, of whom I
purchased my last stock. They are both
very urgent for immediate payment. al
though they have always been willing to
wait few months until could make ar
rangements to meet their claims. But
misfortunes never come singly, and if
man gets a little behind hand, trouble
seems to pour in upon him."
Just So" replied the wife; sthe
neighbors 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 one from the
teacher"
Reply was prevented by knock at the
door, and the appearance of a lad who
presented neatly folded paper, and dis
appeared.
'The butchers bill as true as I liver
exclaimed the astonished shoemaker.
''What is to be done, Mary9 So much
money to be paid out, and very little com
ing in, for some of my best customers
have left me, although my work has given
satisfaction. If l could only have as
much employment as usual, and the usual
credit allowed me, could satisfy these
claims, but to meet them now is impossi-
BILE, and the acknowledgement of my in
ability would send us further on the
downward path.n
'sWe must do our best and trust in
Providence" was the consoling remark
of his wife, as asecond 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 very welcome Wis
itor, presented itself Seating himself
in the comfortable chair which Mary has
tened to hand him, he said in his eccen-
tric but friendly manner:
'FWel, good folks, understand the
world does not go on as well with you as
formerly. What is the trouble ~
"There need be no trouble" was the
reply, ''if men would not try TO add to
the Affections which the Almighty sees
to be necessary for US. The winter was
trying one. We met with sickness
and misfortune, which endeavor to
bear with patience. All would now go
well if those around us were not deter
mined to push us in the downward path. .
s'And there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is a selfish world.
Everybody, or at least great majority,
care ouly for number one. If they see
poor neighbor going down hill, their
very first thought is whetherit will affect
their own interest, and provided they can
secure themselves, they care not how
soon he goes to the bottom. The only
way is to keep up appearances. Show
signs Of being behind hand, and all will
not be well with YOU
Every true, Uncle Joshua, but how is
this to be done? Bills which l did not
expect to be called upon to meet for the
next three months, are pouring in on me.
My best customers are leaving me for a
more fortunate rival. In short, am on
the brink of ruin. and naught but mira
Gle will save metz
"a miracle which is very easily
wrought, then, imagine, my good friend.