Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-31
INEssEE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 81, 1874

make all the circumstances known to
him2
'No, sir" replied Mr. Bishop, 81
saw him this morning, and he said he
must have the money, and should be
obliged 70 foreclOse."
He must be very hard-hearted, >
replied the traveller.
ANot necessarily 50, said Mr. Blsh-
op. ''The fact is, these Hch men know
nothing of the struggles Of the poor.
They are men just like the rest Of
mankind, and / am sure If they but
had the faintest idea of what the poor
have to pass through, their hearts and
their purses would open. You know
/ it has passed into a provcrb, ''When
a poor man needs assistance, he should
apply to the poor" The reason Is
obvious The poor only know the
curse of poverty. They know how
| heavily It falls, crushing the spirit out
Of a man; and, to use my favorlte ex-
precision, they can at once put them
selves in the unfortunate ones place
and appreciate his difficulties, and are
therefore always ready to render as
sistance as far as they are able; and if
Mr.. Merton had the least idea OF what
l and my family had to pass through, L
think he would be willing TO wait sew
erai years for his money, rather than
distress US"
With what emotion the stranger
/ listened may be imaged- a new
world was being opening to him. He
was passing through an experiene that
hed never been his before. Shortly
after.the conclusion of the meal, he
rosefo take his leave, thanking Mr..
and Irs. BiakoP for their kind hOspi-
fality, They invited htIa Il stay an
night, telling him he was welcome to
what they had.
He thanked them aud said, 81 will
trespass on your kindness no longer.
think I can reach the next village
before dark, and be so much further
on my journey"
Mr.. Merton did not sleep much that
night. He lay awake thinking. He
had received a new revelation The
poor had always been associated in his
mind with stupidity and ignorance,
and the first poor family he had visit
ed he had found far in advance, in in
telligent sympathy and real politeness,
of the exquisites and fashionable but
terfies of the day.
The next day a boy called at the cot
tage aud 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 it
boded no good. She put it away until
her husband came home from his
Il.
He opened 1t In silence, read its
contents, and said frequently. Thank
heavenp'
"Yhat is it, Johnr' inquired his
anxious wife.
"Good news" replied John; "such
news that L had never hoped for, or
even dreamed Of"
''What is it-what is it? Tell me
quicx--I want 10 hear if it is anything
good.|
MI. Merton has Cancelled the mort
gage released me from debt, both the
interest and principal, and says any
time I need any further assistanee, if
l viii let hun know ] shall have it."
Tam so-glad, 1t puts new life into
me, said the now happy wife. ''But
what can have come over Mr.. Mer-
tonY'
81 do not know. 1t seems strange
after the way he talked to me yester-
day morning. 1 will 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 so much kind
ness?"
81 followed your suggestions, re-
Mr.. Merton, "and put myself in your
place. 1 expect that it would surprise
you very much to learn that the
strange traveller to whom you showed
SO much kindness yesterday was m4-
'Indeedi7 exclaimed Mr.. Bishop.
scan that be true? How did Won dis.
guise yourself TO weIf?'-
4 was not so much disguised after
all, but you could not very readily
associate Mr.. Merton. the lawyer.
with poor wayfariDg man-hai haP'
laughed Mr.. Merton.
''Welli 1t is good joke" said Mr..
Bishop; "eood in more senses than
one. 1t has terminated very pleas !
antly for me-"
81 was surprised" said Mr.. Merton,
sat the broad and liberal views you
expressed of men and their actions |
generally. supposed 1 had greatly |
the advantage over you in means, ed |
ucation and culture, yet how cramped |
and narrow-minded have been my |
views beside yoursl That wife of yours
is an estimable woman, and that boy /
of yours Will be an honor to any man. |
I tell you, Bishop" said the lawyer,
becoming animated, ''you are rich
rich beyond what money can make /
you. Yo have treasures that g0hd
will not buy. tell you; you owe me
no thanks. Somehow, seem to have
liFed years since yesterday morning.
Ihave got into new world. What I
harmed at your house is worth more
tlan you owe me, and am your
dbtor yet. Hereafter, shall take as
m. motto, ''Putyourself in his place."
anil try to regulate my actions by it"