Middletown transcript., 1875-02-20
Srlett Storp.
The Mortgage Foreclosed.

Oouuoo "oAs "ny A"o5e''
have money, and if you cannot pay it,
| must foreclose the mortgage ana sell
the place. said Mr.. Merton.
ssIn that CASE said Mr.. Bishop,
lit 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 yoor money as |
do mine: you might then know some
thing Of the hard life Of poor man.
If you could only in imagination put
yourself in my place, I think you would
have little mercy on me"
1T is useless talking; l extended
this one year, and can do SO no longer
replied Mr.. Merton, as he turned to his
desk and discontinued writing.
The poor man rose from bis seat and
walked sadly out Of Mr.. Merton's
office; his last hope was gone. He
had Just recovered from long illness.
which had swallowed 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 his family, and be
had felt very much obliged to him for
doing so. This year he had been laid
up for several months, during which
be could earn nothing and his savings
were then needed for the support Of
himself and family Again he failed,
and now be 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, Mr..
Merton could not drive away from his
thought that remark to which the poor
man in bis grief had given utterance,
II wish you had to earn your money
Is do mine. II the midst Of row
Of 6gures-''Put yourself in my place
intruded.
Once after it had crossed his mind
he laid down bis pen, saying, "Well
l think | should find it rather hard
| have a mind to drop in there thil
afternoon, and see how it fares with hi.
family; that man has reused my curl
osity
About FIVE o'clock be put on a gray
wig aud some old cast-off clothes, walk
ed to the residence Of Mr.. Bishop, ant
Knocked at the door. Mrs. Bishop,
pale, weary looking woman, opened it
the posr old man requested permission
to enter and rest awhile, saying be wa
very tired with his long journey, for b
had walked many miles that day.
Mrs Bishop cordially invited him i
and gave him the best seat the roor
afforded. She then began to make pre-
parations for tea. The old gentlema
watched her attentively. He saw ther
was no elasticity in her step. no hop
in her movements and pity for be
began to steal into his heart. Whe
her husband entered her features RI
laxed into a smile, and she forced
cheerfulness into her manner. Th
traveller noted it all and he felt hin
self forced to admire this woman, VII
could assume cheerfulness she did NJ
feel for her husbands sake. After th
table was prepared. there was nothin
upon it but bread, butter and tea. The
invited the stranger to eat with thel
saying-"We have not much to offt
you, but cup Of tea will refresh 70
after your long journey
He accepted their hospitality, and !
they discussed their frugal meal, be le
them, without seeming to do 50, to tai
Of their affairs.
II bought this piece Of land, sol