Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-10-03

small affair."
'sThirty dollars is no small sum to us
just now," thought Mrs. Thompson, as
she pursued her way toward home mus
ingly. 1t seems strange that all these pay
ments must be met just now while we are
struggling 10 recover from the heavy eX-
! penscs of the winter. | cannot under
stand it,"
/ Her perplexity was increased by find
! ing her husband with two bills i'll his
! hand and countenance expressive OF
! anxiety and concern.
'Look, Mary" he said as she entered,
! ''here are two unexpected calls for money
-one from the doctor, and the other from
the dealer in leather, of whom | pur-
chased my last stock. They are both very
urgent for immediate payment, although
they have always been willing to wait
few months until could make arrange
ments to meet their claims. But misfor-
tune never come singly, and if a man gets
a little behind hand, trouble seems to pour
in on him"
"Just so, replied tie wife; "the neigh
bors 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 4 knock at the
door, and the appearance of Ind who
presented 4 neatly-folded paper and dis
appeared.
"The butchers bill, as true rs livc."
exclaimed the astonishcl shoemaker.
"What is to be done, Mary? 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. Ii could only have aS much
employment as usual, and the usual credit
allowed me, could satisfy these claims.
and the acknowledgment of my inability
would send us further on the downward
path"
owe must do our best and trust in
Providence" was the cOnsoling remark
! of his wife as second knock at the door
aroused the fear that another claimant
was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenance of
Uncle Joshua, rare but very welcome
visitor, presented itself Seating himself
in the comfortable chair which Mary has
tened to hand him, he said in his eccentric
bat friendly manner:
"We!l, good folks, understand the
world does not so on rs well with you as
formerly. What is the troubleY"
'There need be no trouble" was the
reply, "il men would not try to add to the
a1llictions which the Almighty sees to be
necessary for us. The winter was try
ing one. We met with sickness and mis-
fortune, which we endcavored to bear
with patience. All would now go well
if those around US were not determined
to push US in the downward path"
"And there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is a selfish world. Ev-
erybody, or at least 4 great majority, care
only for number one. If they see poor
neiShbor going down hill, their very
first thought is whether it will effect their
own Interests, 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 doncP Bills which did not
expect to be called to meet for the next
three months arc pouring in on me. My
best customers are leaving me for a more
fortunate rival. In short, | am on thc
brink Of rain, and but a miracle will save
me-"
"Amiracle which is very easily wrought
then, imsginc, my good friend. What
is the amount Of your debts, which now
press so heavily upon you, and how soon
in the coming course Of events could you
discharge thcm?"
"rhey DO not exceed one hundred dol
lars" replied the shoemaker, "and with
! my usual run Of work, could make il all
right in three or four months"
"Wc will say six, =" was the answer. "I
will advance you one hundred and fifty
dollars. Pay every cent you owe and
make some slight addition or improve
ment in your shop or house, and pat cv-
erytl.ing around the grounds in the usual
neat order. Try this plan for fcw weeks
and we will see what effect it has upon
our worthy neiShbors. No, no, never
mind thanking me, am trying little
experiment on human nature. know
you oil old, and have no doubt that my
money is safe in your hands"
Weeks passed. The advice Of Uncle
Joshua had been strictly followed, and
the change IN the shOemaker's prospects
were indeed wonderful; he was now
spoken OF as one of the most thriving
men Of the village, and many marvellous
stories were told to account for the sudden
alteration Of his affairs.
1t was generally agreed that distant
relative had bequeathed to him legacy,
which had entirely relieved him Of pecu-
MARY difficulties. The polite butcher se-
lectcd the best piece Of meat for his To-
spection as he entered, and was totally
Indifferent as to the time Of payment.
The teacher accompanied the children
home to tea, and spoke in high terms Of
their improvement, pronouncing them
among his best scholars. The drestmaker
very suddenly found herself free from the
great press of work, and in friendly