The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-01-02
MR.. MERTON'S RUSE.
by MRS. N. WYNCOOP.

BY MRS. NJ. WYNCOOP.
II cannot wait any longer. l must
have my money, and if you cannot pay
it | must foreclose the mortgage and sell
the place." said Mr.. Merton.
In that case it will of course be sold
at q great sacrifice, and after all the
struggles / have made, my family will
again be homeless. 1t is very hard. /
only wish you had to earn your money
as | do mine. You might then know
something of the hard life of poor
working man. If you could only in
imagination, put yourself in my place,
think you would have little mercy on
me- said Mr.. Bishop.
ut is useless taking, / extended the
time one year. and [ can do so no long
err" replied Mr.. Merton as he turned
to his work and resumed his writing.
The poor man rose from his seat and
walked sadly out of Mr. Merton's Office,
his last hope gone. He had just re
COZ cred from long siege Of illness,
which had swallowed up all the means
with which he had intended to make
the last payment upon his homo. True,
that gentleman had waited one year
when he failed to meet the demand,
owing to sickness in his family, and he
had felt very much obliged to him for
doing SO. This year he had lain sick
for several months, during which he
could earn nothing, and all his sayings
we're needed for the support Of himself
and family. Again he had failed, and
again he would be homeless and have to
begin the world anew. Had the Lord
torsaken him and given him over to the
tender mercies of the wicked?
After he had left the Office Mr.. Mer-
ton could not drive away from his
thoughts that remark, to which the
poor man, in his grief, had given utter
ance Il wish you had to earn your
money as do mine" In the midst of
row of figures put yourself in my
place" would intrude. Once, atser 1t
had crossed his mind, he layed down his
pen. saying, well, | think l should
find it rather hard l have q mind to
drop in there this afternoon, and see
how it goes with his family. That man
has aroused my curiosity"
About ti,e o'clock he put on Q grey
wig and some cast of clothing, walked to
the residence of Mr.. Bishop, and knock
e1 at the door. Mrs. Bishop, q pale,
weary looking woman, opened it, and
the poor old old man requested permits
sion to enter and rest awhile. saying he
was very tired with his long journey, for
he had walked many miles that day.
Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him In,
and gave him the best seat the house
afforded: She =. then .S. began "a to make
man watched her attentively. He saw
there was no elacticity to her step, no
hope in her movements, and pity for
her began to steal into bis heart. When
her husband entered. her features re-
Taxed into smile, and she forced a
cheertulness into her manner. The
traveller noted it all, ard he felt himself
compelled to admire this woman, who
could assume cheerfulness she did not
feel, for her husband 8 sake. After the
table was prepared there was nothing on
= but bread and butter and tea. Thew
invited the stranger to eat with them,
saying I'VE have not much to offer you,
but cup of tea will be refreshing after
your journey"
He accepted their hospitality, and as
they discussed their frugal meal he led
them, without seeming to do so, 20 talk
Of their affairs.
L bought this lot, said Mr.. Bishop.
'at very low price, and instead of
waiting as | ought to have done, until
had saved the money to build, | thought
| would borrow three hundred dollars.
The interest on the money would not be
rs much as the rent | was paying, and
should DO saving something by it. l
did not think there would be any diff
Guilty in paying back the borrowed mon
sy, but the first year my wife and one of
my children were sick, and the help with
other expenses, left me without the
means to pay the debt. Mr.. Merton
agreed to wait another year if l would
pay the interest. / did that. This
year was sick for seven months, unable
TO work and earn anything, and of course
when payday comes, and that is very
soon, ] shall be unable to meet the de
mand.
But" said the stranger, will not
Mr.. Merton wait another year if you
make all the circumstances know to
him p
mo. SIR" replied Mr.. Bishop. 81
saw him this morning, and he said he
must have his money, and he should be
obliged to forecl cse.'
He must be very hard.hearted, said
che traveller.
mot necessarily So" replied Mr..
Bishop. ''rhe fac. is these men know
nothing of the struggles of the poor
They arc men just ike the rest of man
kind, and NJ sure If they had the faint
est idea of wha. the poor have to pass
through, their hearts and their purses
would be open. You know it has pas.
cd into q proverb, When q poor man
needs assistance he should 20 to the
poor" The reason of this is obvious.
The poor only know the curse of poverty.
They know how heavy i; falls, crushing
the spirit out of man, aud knowing, or
TO use my favorite expression, they can
Ut ooG put theusefes in the uuAtHtu-