The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-07-04
expressive of anxiety and con.

cOuntenance expressive of anxiety and con.
| Germ.
Look, Mary" he said as she entered
there arc two unexpected calls for money
one from the doctor, and the other from the
dealer in leather, of whom | purchased my
last stock. They are both very urgent for
immediate payment, although they have
always been willing to wait a few months
until could make arrangements to meet their
claims. But misfortune never comes singly,
and if a man gets a little behind hand, trouble
seems to pour in on him."
Gust So" replied the wife; "the neigh
bors think we are going down hill, and every
one is ready to give us a push. Here arc 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 n lad who pre-
scented n neatly folded paper, and disappeared.
| "rhc butchers bill, as true rs | live" ex-
claimed the astonished shoemaker. "What Is
to he done, Mary ? So much money to be
paid out, and very little coming in, for some
my work has given satisfaction. II could
only have as much employment as usual, and
the usual credit allowed me-. | could satisfy
these claims, but to meet them now is impos-
| sibe, and the acknowledgement of my ina
bility would send us further ON the downward
path" -ve-
ave must do our best and trust in Provi-
dence," was the consolng remark of his wife,
| as n second knock at the door aroused the fear
| that another claimant was about to appear.
But the benevolent countenance of Uncle
Joshua, n rare but very welcome visitor, pre-
| scented itself. Seating himself in the comfort
able chair which Mary hastened to hand him,
| he said in his eccentric but friendly manner:
"Well, good folks, understand the world
does not go on rs well with you as formerly.
What is the troubled"
"rhere need be no trouble" was the reply,
eff 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 we en-
deavor to bear with patience. All would now
go we'll if those around us were not determin-
cd TO push us I'm the downward path"
"And there lies the difficulty, friend Thomp
SON. This is selfish world. Everybody, or
mt least great majority, care only for number
one Ifthey see poor neighbor going down
hill, their very first thought is whether it will
affect 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 we'll with
you"
Every true, Uncle Joshua, but how is this
to be doneY Bills which did not expect to
be called upon to meet for the next three
months are pouring in on me. My best GUS
toners are leaving me for a more fortunate
rival. In short, am on the brink of ruin,
and but miracle will save mep
"A miracle which is very easily wrought,
then, imagine, 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
themr
"They do not exceed one hundred dollars"
replied the shoemaker "and with my usual
run of work, | could make it all right in three
or four months"
1--WE will say six" was the answer. 81
will advance you one hundred and fifty dol
lars. Pay every cent you owe and make
some slight addition or Improvement in your
shop or house, and put every thing around the
grounds in its usual neat order. Try this
plan for n few weeks and we will see what
effect it has upon our worthy neighbors. No,
no, never mind thanking me, am trying
little experiment on human nature. know
You Of 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
III 'ho nh'ehhhei pioopeSto WIZ i'ueoN
wondcrful 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 rca |
tive had bequeathed to him legacy, which
had entirely relieved him of his pecuniary
difficulties. The polite butcher selected the
best piece of meat for his inspection 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, pronouncng
them among the best scholars. The dress
maker very suddenly fround herself free from
the great press of work, and in n friendly
note expressed her desire to Obligc Mrs.
Thompson in any way in her power.
Just as | expected" exclaimed Uncle
Joshua, rubbing his hands eXultingly, rs the
grateful shoemaker called upon him at theex
piration of six months, with the money which
had been loaned in the hour of need. Just
rs expected. A strange world They are
ready to push man up hill when he seems
to be ascending, and just rs ready to push
him down, if they find his face turned that
way. In the future, neighbor Thompson, let
everything wear an air of prosperity, and
you will be sure to prosper"
placed his money in hispocket book, ready
to meet some other claim upon his benevo-
lence while he, whom he had thus befriended,
with cheerful countenance, returned to his
happy home.