Year: 1869

S>SSuN'Si pus hiS"uiJ h"u"S''


"Well, good folks, understand the
world does not 20 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 wo endeavorcd
to bear with patience. All would now
go well if those around mo were not de-
termincd to push us in the downward
path"


But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is a selfish world
Everybody, Or at least great majority,
care only for number one. If they see
a poor ncighbor going down hill, their
first thought is whether it will affect
their own interests, aud provided they
can secure themselves, they care not
how soon he goes to the bottom. The
only way is to keep up apPearanccs.-
Show no signs of going behindhand.
aud all will go well with you"


"Very true, Uncle Joshua, but how
is this to be done? Bills which | did
not expect to be called upon to meet for
the next three months are pouring in
upon me, My best customers are
leaving me for more fortunate rival
In short, | am on the brink of ruin,
and nought but a miracle will save me-"


"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 common
course Of events, could you discharge
thcm?"


"They do not exceed one hundred
dollars" replied the shoemaker; "aud
with my usual run Of work l could
make it all right in three or four
months"


"We will say six" was the answer.
81 will advance you one hundred and
fifty dollars for six months. Pay every
cent you owe, and with the remainder
of the money make some slight addition
or improvement in your shop or house,
and put everything around the grounds
in its usual neat order. Try this plan
for few weeks, and We will see what
effect it has upon our worthy neighbors
No, no, never mind thanking me. lam
only trying little experiment on hu
man nature. know you of old, and
have no doubt that my money is safe
in your hands.


Weeks passed by. The advice Of
Uncle Joshua had been strictly followed,
and the change in the shoemaker's pros
poets was indeed wonderful. He was
now spoken of as one of the most thriv
ing men of the village and many mar.
velous stories were told to account for
the sudden alteration in his affairs.
1t was generally agreed that distant
relative had bequeathed to him lega-
cy, which had entirely relieved him of
his pecuniary difficulties. Thoy had
never before realized the beauty and
durability of his work. The polite
butcher selected the best pieces of meat
for his inspection, as he entered, aud
was totally Indifferent as to the time of
payment. The teacher accompanied
the children homo to tea, and spoke in
high terms Of their improvement, pro.
noaucing them among her best scholars.
The dress-maker suddenly found herself
free from the great press for work, and
in friendly note expressed her desire
to oblige Mrs. Thompson in any way in
her power.


"Just as expected" exclaimed I'm.
Gle Joshua, rubbing his hands exulting.
ly, as the grateful shoemaker called
upon him at the expiration of six
months, with the money which had
been loaned in the hour of need. Just
as | expected. A strange world They
are ready to push a man up hill if he
seems to be ascending, and just as ready
to push him down, if they find that his
face is turned that way. In future,
neighbor Thompson, let everything
around you wear on air of prosperity,
and you will be sure to prosper" And
with satisfied air, Uncle Joshua
placed bis money in his pocket book,
ready to meet some other claim upon
his bcnevolence, whilst he, whom he
had thus befriended, with cheerful
countenance, returned to his happy
home.


A GooD-NIGHr KIss.--Always send