The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-11-17
MR.. MERTON's LESSON.

the place." said Mr.. Merton.
"In that case," said Mr.. Bishop, sit
will Of course be sold at 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 man.
If you could only in imagination put
yourself in my place, think you would
have little mercy on me.''
at is useless talking; extended this
one year, and cannot do so any longer"
replied Mr. Merton, as he turned to his
desk and continued writing.
The poor man rose from his seat and
walked sadly out of Mr.. Merton's office
his last hope was gone. He had just re-
covered from a fit of illness, which had used
up the means with which he had intended to
make the last payment on his house. True,
that gentleman had waited one year, when
he had failed to meet the demand, owing
to illness in the family, and he had felt
very much obliged to him for doing so.
This year he had been laid up for several
months, during which he could earn moth
ing, and all his savings were then needed
for the support of himself and family.
Again he had failed, and now he would
again be homeless, and have to begin the
world anew. Had Heaven forsaken him
and given him over to the tender mercies
of the wicked?
After he had left the office, BIr. Merton
could not drive away from his thoughts
that remark to which the poor man in his
grief had given utterance: 81 wish you
had to earn your money as do mine"
In the midst of row of figures, "Put
yourselfin my place" intruded.
Once after it had crossed his mind he
laid down his pen, saying "Well, / think
l should find it rather hard. have mind
to drop in there this afternoon and see how
it fares with his family that man has
aroused my curiosity"
About five o'clock he put on gray wig
and some old, cast off clothes, walked to
the residence of Mr.. Bishop and knocked
at the door. Mrs. Bishop, pale, weary
looking woman, opened it; the poor old
man requested permission to enter and rest
awhile, saying he was very tired with his
long journey, for he had walked many
miles that day. o
Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him in, and
gave him the best seat the room afforded.
She then began to make preparations for
tea. The old gentleman watched her at
tentively. He saw there was no elasticity
in her step, no hope in her movements and
pity for her began to steal into his heart
When her husband entered, her features
relaxed into smile, and she forced
cheerfulness into her manner. The travel
Ter noted it all; and he felt himself forced
TO admire this woman who could assume
cheerfulness she did not feel for her hus-
bands sake. After the table was prepared,
there was nothing upon it but bread, butter
and tea. They invited the stranger to eat
with them, saying: eve have not got
much to offer you, but cup Of tea win re-
fresh you after your long journey"
He accepted their hospitality, and as
they discussed the frugal meal, he led them
without seeming to do so, to talk Of their
own affairs. s4at,3. ,.r.f5
81 bought this piece Of land, said Dir.
Bishop, cat very low price, and instead
of waiting as ought to have done, until ]
had saved the money TO build, ] thought !
would borrow two hundred dollars. The
interest on the money would not be nearly
so much as the rent was paying, and !
would be saving money by so doing. l did
not think there would be any difficulty in
paying back the borrowed money. But
the first year my wife and one Of my chill
dren were i'll, and the expenses left me
without the means to pay the debt. Mr..
Merton agreed to wait another year, IL
would pay the interest. did that. This
year ] was for seven months unable to
work at my trade and earn anything and
of course when pay day comes around and
this is very soon, I shall again be unable to
meet the demand" .ssaisi 4 gi.gtti. .
"But, " said the stranger twill not Mr..
Merton wait another year, if you make all
circumstances known to him? ?'
"No, sir" replied Mr., Bishop, "Isaw
him this morning, and he said he must
have the money, and should be obliged TO
foreclose the mortgage" (" 1a7
He must be very hard-hearted," re-
piled the traveller.
''Not necessarily So" said Mr.. Bishop.
"The fact is, these rich men know nothing