The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-07-04
IN scellancntls.



"That looks bad" exclaimed Farmer
White with an expressive shake of the head
rs he passed neglected and broken-dOwn
fence in one of his daily walks.
bad enough" was the reply of his COM
panion.
"Neighbnr Thompson appears to be run
ming down the hill very fast. | can remem-
Der when everything about his place was
trim and tidy" "He always appeared to be
II steady, industrious man." rcjoined the Sec
ond speaker. ii have pair OF boots on my
feet at this moment Of his make, and they
have done me good service"
II have generally employed him for myself
and family" was the reply, land must con-
TESS he Is a good workman; but nevertheless
| believe that shall step into Jack Smiths
this morning, and order pair of boots of
which stand in need. l always make it a
rule never to patronize those who appear TO
be running behind hand. There is generally
some risk in helping those who won't help
themselves"
every true and as my wife desired me to
| look at pair of shoes for her this morning
| will follow your example and call on Smith
| He is no favorite of mine, however, an idle,
quarresome fellow"
"And yet he seems to be getting along in
| the world" answered the farmer, land have
an GRAND at the butchers. Twill not detain
you"
AT the butchers they met the neighbor
who was the subject Of their previous con-
versatiOn. He certainly presented rather a
shabby appearance, and his choice of meat
here was the observation of Farmer White.
Passing remarks, the poor shoemaker took
his departure and the butcher opened his
book account with an anX iolls air, saying, as
he charged the bit of meat:
81 believe it is time nelghbor Thompson
and came to q settlement. Short accounts
make long friends"
mo time 10 lose, l should say" replied
the farmer.
Indeed have you heard of any trouble,
neighbor Winter"
mo, have heard nothing, but man has
the use OF his eyes, you know, and never
trust any one who is evidently going down
hill"
"Quile right; and | will send up my bill
the sickness the poor man has had in his
family all winter. l suppose he must have
run behind a little, but still must take care
of number one"
speaking of Thompson, are your" OBJ
served a bystander, who appeared to take an
interest in the conversation. "Going down
hill, is he must look out for myself then.
He owes me quite sum for leather. | did
intend to give him another months credit,
but ON the whole guess the money will be
safer in my pocket"
Here the worthless separated, each with his
mind filed with affairs OF neighbor Thomp-
son, the probability that he was going down
hill, and the best way to give him push.
In another part of the village similar scenes
| were passing
IL declare" exclaimed Mrs Bennett, the
| dressmaker, to her fayorte assistant, rs size
hastily withdrew her head from the window,
whence she had been gazing on the passers-
| by, "if there is not Mrs. Thompson, the shoe.
makers wife, coming up the steps with
parcel in her hand. She wants me to do her
work, but think il would be venture.
Every one says they are running down hill
and il is n chance if ever get my pay"
| "She has always paid us promptly" was
| the reply.
| "True; but that was in the days of her
prosperity. l cannot afford to run any
| risk"
| The entrance of Mrs. Thompson prevented
| further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the refusal
of Mrs. Bennett TO do any work for her but
rs great pressure was pleaded rs an excuse,
there was nothing 10 be said, and she soon
took her leave.
Another application proved equally unsuc-
cessful. Ii was strange how busy the village
dressmaker had suddenly become.
On the way home, the poor shoemaker's
| wife met the teacher of a small school in the
neighborhood, where two of her children at
tended
"Ah Mrs. Thompson, l am glad to see
you," was the salutatiOn. 81 was about call
ing at your house. Would it be convenient
to settle our account this afternoon ?"
"Our account was the surprised reply.
"Surely the term has not expired"
"Only half OF II, but my present rule is to
collect money at any time. It's plan which
many teachers have adopted. of late"
81 was not aware that there had been any
change in your rules, and have made mr.
rangements to meet your bill at the usual
time. fear that il will not be in my power
to do SO sooner"
great disappointment, and as he passed on in
u different direction he muttered to himself
"Just as | expected / shall never see a
cent. Everybody says they are going down
hill / must get rid Of the children some
way. Perhaps may get a pair of shoes OF
two in payment of the half quarter, if | man
age it right; but it will never do to go on
this way"
A little discomposed by her interview with
| tile teacher, Mrs. thompson stepped into q
neighboring grocery to purchase some trifling
articles of family stores
II have little account against you, and
would it be convenient for Mr. Thompson to
settle it this EVENING"" MS he produced the
desired article.
us il his usual time for settlingp" was
again the surprised question.
well, not exactly; but money is very
tight just now, and l am anxious to get all
that is due me. In future intend to keer
short accounts. There is the bill, if you
would like to look at it, / win call around
this evening II is but very small affair
"Thirty dollars is no small sum to us just
now" thought Mrs. Thompson, as she pur
sued her way towards home musingly. L
seems strange that all these payments must b,
met just now while we arc struggling TO re
cover from the heavy expense ofthe winter
cannot understand it,"
Her perplexity was increased by finding he