River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-03-27
GOING DOWN HILL.


head, as he passed neglected and bro
ken down fence in one of his daily
walks.
bad enough" was the reply of his
companion.
"Neighbor Thompson appears to be
running down hill very fast. ] can re-
member when everything about his
place was trim and tidy "He always
appeared to be a steady, industrious
man" rejoined the second speaker. Il
have pair of boots on my feet at this
moment, of his make, and they have
done me good service
Il have generally employed him for
myself and family" was the reply, "and
[ must confess that he is a good work
man; but neyerthei IS I believe l shall
step into Jack Smiths this morning,
and order pair of boots in which ]
stand in need. / always make it 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"
very true; and as my wife desired
me TO look at pair of shoes for her this
morning, viii follow your example
and call on Smith He is no favorite
of mine, however, an idle quarrelsome
fellow"
''And yet he seems to be getting along
in the world" answered the farmer
"and L have an errand at the butchers.
will not detain you"
At the butchers they met the neigh
Dor who was the subject of their previ-
Gus conversation. He certainly pre-
sented rather a shabby appearance, and
his choise of meat here was the observa-
ton of Farmer White Passing re
marks the poor shoemaker took his de
parture and the butcher opened his book
account with an anxious air, saying as
he charged the bit of meat:
II believe it Is time neighbor
Thompson and came to settlement.
Short accounts make long friends"
No time, to lose, | should say" re-
piled the farmer.
''I1deed have YOU heard of any
trouble, neighbor White?"
"No, have heard nothing, but
man has the use of his eyes, you know;
and / never trust any one with money,
who is evidently going down hill"
''Quite right; and / will send up my
bill this evening. [ have delayed on ac-
count Of the sickness the poor man has
had in the family all winter. 1 sup
pose he must have run behind little,
but still / must take care of number
one"
Speaking of Thompson, are you?"
observed a bystander, who appeared to
take an interest in tine observation.
Going down hill is hep" / must look
ont for myself then. He owes me quite
a sum for leather l 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 filled with affairs of
neighbor Thompson the probability
that he was going down hull, and the
best way to give him push.
In another part of the village similar
scenes were passing.
Il declare, exclaimed Mrs. Bennett,
the dresslnaker, to her favorlte assistant,
as she hastily withdrew her head from
the window, whence she had been gaz
ing on the passerbv. IF there Is not Mrs.
Thompson the shoemaker's wife, coming
up the steps with parcel in her hand.
She wants me to do her work, but /
think it would bea venture. Every one
says they are running down hill, and it
is n chance If l ever get my pay"
She has always paid us promptly,
was the reply.
True; bpt that was in the days of her
prosperity. / cannot afford to run any
risk. F."
The entrance of Mrs. Thompson pre-
vented any further conversation.
She was evidently surprised at the
refusal of Mrs. Bennett to do any work
for her; but us great pressure was plead
ed as an excuse, there WAS nothing to
be said, and she soon took her leave.
Another application proved equally
unsuccessful. 1t was strange how busy
the village dress1nakers had suddenly
become.
On the way home. thepoor shoemak-
er's wife met the teacher OF Il small
school in the neighborhood, where two
of her children attended.
"Ah Mrs. Thompson / am glad tosee
YOU, was the salutation. II was about
calling at your house. Would it be
convenient to settle our account this al
ternoon ."
"Our ACCOUNT was the surprised re-
plv. "Surelv the term has not expired"
"Only half of it, but my present rule
is to collect money at any time. It's
plan which many teachers have adopted
of late.
Il 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 wall 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 |
q cent Everybody saws they are GO
ing down hill I must get rid of the
children someway. Perhaps | may get
pair of shoes or two npayment OF the
half quarter, if | manage it right; but
it will never do to go III this way.
A little liscomposed by her interview
with the teacher, Mrs Thompson step
ped into a ueighboring grocery the pur-
chase some trifing articles of family
stores.
IL have little account against you,
and would it be convenient for Mr..
Thompson to settle it this EVENING""
asked the polite shoPkeeper as he pro-
duced the desired article.
Us it his usual time for settling ?"
was again the surprised question.
well. not exactly; but moneyis very
tight lust now. and am anxious to get
all that is due me-In future | intend
10 Keep short accounts. There is the
little bill If YOU would like To look Mt
it. 1 will call around this evening. 1t
Is but a very small affair.
Thirty dollars is no small sum to us
lust now. " thought Mrs. Thompson, as
She pursued her way towards home
musingly. 1t seems strange that all
these payments must he met just now
while we are struggling to recover from
the heavy expense Of the winter. lean
not understand it. !"
Her perpleXity was increased by find
ing her husband with two bills in his
hand, and countenenCe expressive OF
anxiety and concern
Look. Mary" he said, rs he entered,