The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-10-16

have to pass through, their hearts and
their purses would open. You know it
has passed into a proverb, when a
poor man needs assistance, he should
apply to the poor The reason is OBJ
vlous. The poor only know the curse
of poverty. They know how heavily it
falls, crushing the spirit out of man :;
and to use my favorite expression, they
can at once put themselves in the un-
fortunate ones place and appreciate his
difficulties, and are therefore always
ready to render assistance as far as they
are able and if Mr.. Merton had the
least idea of what and my family had
to pass through, I think he would be
willing to wait several years for his
money, rather than distress us"
With what emotion the stranger lis
tened may be imagined. A new world
was being opened to him. He was
passing through an experience that had
never been his before. Shortly after
the conclusion of the meal, he rose to
take his leave, thanking Mr.. and Mrs.
Bishop for their kind hospitality. They
invited him to stay all might, telling HIM
he was welcome to what they had.
He thanked them and said, '' / will
trespass on your kindness no longer.
1 think can reach the next village be-
| fore dark, and be SO much further on
my journey"
Mr.. Merton did not sleep much that
| night. He lay awake thinking. He
had received new revelation. The
poor had always been associated In his
mind with stupidity and ignorance, and
the first poor family he had visited he
| had found far in advance, In intelligent
sympathy and real politeness, of the ex-
loV1<f Of
the day.
The next day a boy called at the cot
tage, and left package in large blue
envelope, addressed to Mr.. Bishop.
Mrs. Bishop was very much alarmed
when she took it for large blue en-
velopes were associated in her mind
with law and lawyers, and thought that
it boded no good. She put it away
until her hushapd came home from his
work, when she handed it to him.
He opened it in silence, read its con-
tents, and said frequently, "Thank
heaven y
What is it, John?" inquired his
anxious wife.
"Good news, replied John; "sueh
news that I had never hoped for, or
even dreamed of"
what is it-what is it? Tell me
quick-I want to hear If it is anything
good.
"Mr. Merton has Cancelled the
mortgage, released me from debt, both
the interest and principal, and says
any tine / need any further assist
ance, il I viii let him know I shall
have II.
Il an SO glad, it puts new life
into me- said the now happy wife.
g But what can have come over Mr..
Merton >"
Sc do not know. It seems strange
after the way be talked to me yesterday
morning. viii go right over to his
office and tell him how happy he has
made u.s."
He found Mr. Merton in, and ex-
pressed his gratitude in glowing terms.
What could have induced you,
he asked, {" to show US 50 much kind
ness ?"
"I followed your suggestions re-
| piled Mr.. Merton, '' and put myself
in your place. I expect that it would
surprise you very much to learn that
the strange traveller to whom you
showed SO much kindness yesterday was
myself"
| " Indeed p exclaimed Mr.. Bishop,
60 can that be true Fow did you dis
guise yourself SO well p
'' I was not SO much disguised after
| all, but you could not very readily as
sociate Mr.. Merton, the lawyer, with 8
poor wayfaring man-ha! ha ha !!
laughed Mr.. Merton.
'fWell, it is good joke" said Mr.,
Bishop; "good in more senses thar
one. 1t has terminated very pleasantly
for me-"
CT was surprised" (" said Mr.. Merton
at the broad and liberal views you ex
pressed of men and their actions gener.
ally. supposed I had greatly the ad
vantage over you in means, education
and culture yet how cramped and mar
row minded have been my views beside
yours That wife of yours is an esti
mable woman, and that boy of yours
will be an honor to any man. 1 tel
you, Bishop" said the lawyer, becom
ing animated, ''you are rich-rich be
yond what money can make you. YoJ
have treasures that gold will not buy
I tell you, you owe me no thanks
Somehow, I eeem to have lived years
since yesterday morning. have go
into new world. What I learned a
your house is worth more than you owe
me, and am your debtor yet. Here
after, shall take as my motto, Pu
yourself in his place, and try to regu
late my actions by it. 2"