Year: 1872

satisfy these claims, but TO meet them now is
impossible, and the acknowledgment Of my
inability would send us further on the down.
ward path"


We must do our best and trust in Provi.
dence, was the consoling remark of his wife.
as a second knock at the door aroused the
fear that another claimant was about to ap-
pear.


But the benevolent countenance of Uncle
Joshua, rare but very welcome visitor, pre-
santed itself Seating himself in the comfor-
table chair, which Mary hcsitated to hand
him, be said in his eccentric, but friendly
manner


Well, good folks, understand the world
docs not 90 on as well with you as formerly.
What is the trouble2"


There need be no trouble was the reply,
IL men would not try to add to the afilic.
iions which the Almighty sees to be necessary
Tor us. The winter was trying one. We
met with sickness and misfortune, which we
endeayorcd to bear with patience. All would
now 60 well, If those around us were not de.
termiued to push us in the downward path. 50


=" But there lies the difficulty, friend
Thompson. This is a selfish world. Every.
body, or at least a great majority care only
for number one. If they see poor neigh.
Dor going down hill, their very first thought
is whether it will affect their own interest.
Ind 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 going behind hand and all
will not 60 well with you"


Aarv
this to be done Bills which did not ex.
pect to be called upon to meet for the next
three months are pouring in on 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 90


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
them 2"


They do not exceed one hundred dollars, -
replied the shoemaker and with my usual
run ofwork, 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 dol
lars. Pay every cent you owe aud with the
remainder Of the money make some slight addi.
ton 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 il has
upon our worthy neighbors. No, no, never
mind thanking me, am only trying little
experiment on human nature know you
Of old and have DO 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 shoemakers prospects was
indeed wonderful lie was now spoken Of
as one Of the most thriving men of the viii
lage, and many marvellous stories we're told
to account for the sudden alteration in his af.
fairs


1t was generally agreed that distant rel.
ative had bequeathed to him a legacy, which
had entirely relieved him of his pecuuiary
difficulties. They had never before realized
the beauty and durability Of his work The
polite butcher selected the best piece of meat
for his inspection, as he entered and was to.
tally indifferent as to the time OF payment
The teacher accompanied the children home
to tea, and spoke IN high terms Of their lm-
proyement, pronouucing them among his best
scholars The dressmaker very suddenly found
herself free from the great press of work, and
in friendly note expressed her desire to
oblige Mrs. Thompson, in any way in her
power.


"Just as | expected" exclaimed Uncle
Joshua, rubbing his hands exultingly, as the
grateful shoemaker called upon him at the ex.
1 lpiraiion Of six months, with the money
! which had been loaned 10 the hour or neeu.


Just as | had expected. A strange world
They are ready to push man up hill when
he seems to be ascending, and just as ready to
push him down, if they fud that his face is
turned that way. Ia the future, neighbor
Thompson, let everything around you wear an
air Of prosperity, and you will be sure to
prosper


Andwith a satisfied air Unce Joshua placed
his money in his pocket book, ready to meet
some other claim upon his benevolence while
he, whom he had thus befriended, with cheer.
ful countenance, returned to his happy home.