Middletown transcript., 1875-02-20

! LDOugnt WOuiu DOFFOW Two uuHuTeo
dollars. The interest on the money
would not be nearly as much as the
rent | was paying, and would be saw
ing something BY doing it. did not
think there would be any difficulty in
paying back the borrowed money. But
the first year my wife and one Of my
children were i'll. and the expense Jeff
no means to pay the debt. Mr.. Mer-
ton agreed to wait another year, if !
would pay the interest. did that
This year was seven months unable
to work at my trade and earn anything;
and Of course when pay day comes
round, and this is very soon..I shall
again be unable to meet the demand !"
"But," said the stranger, "will not
Mr.. Merton wait another year, if you
make all circumstances known to him?''
"No, SIR" replied Mr.. Bishop. II
saw him this morning. and he said be
must have the money, and should be
obliged to foreclose.
He must be very hard-hearted, "
replied the traveller.
"Not necessarily SO" said Mr.. Bishop.
.sThe fact is, these rich men know
nothing Of the struggles Of the poor.
They are men just like the rest Of man
kind, and I am sure if they had the
fainteat idea Of what the poor have to
pass through. their hearts and their
purses would open. You know it has
passed into proverb, when poor
man needs assistance, he Should apply
to the poor 2 The reason is obvious.
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 IN
fortune ones place and appreciate diff
culties, 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, think he would be sill
| ing to wait several years for his money,
rather than distress us"
With what emotion the stranger list
ened 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, be rose to
take his leave, thanking Mr.. and Mrs
Bishop for their kind hospitality They
invited him to stay all night, telling
him he was welcome to what they had.
He thanked them and said, II will
trespass on your kindness no longer. I
think I 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 q new revelation. The
poor had always been associated in bis
mind with stupidity and ignorance. and
the first poor family be had visited be
had found far in advance, in intelli.
gence, sympathy and real politeness, Of
the exquisites and fashionable butter.
flies Of the day.
The next day boy called at the cot.
tage, and left package in large blu'
envelope. addressed to Mr.. Bishop.
Mrs. Bishop was very much alarmed
when she took it; for large blue envel
opes were associated in her mind will
law and lawyers, and thought it boded
20 good. She put it away until be-
husband came home from bis work
when she handed it to him.
He opened it in silence, read its con
tents, and said fervently, 'Thanl
Heaven ~
"What is it, john" inquired hi
anxious wife.
GOOD news, wife," replied John
"auch news that | had never hope'
for, or even dreamed Of
.What is it-what is it? Tell N
ouick-I want to hear it if it is any
thing good
"Mr. Merton has cancelled the mort
gage, released nae from the debt, bot
the principal and interest, and says an
time need any further assistance if
will let him know I shall have it."
Il am so glad, it puts new life int
J me" said the now happy wife. "Bu
what can have come over Mr. Merton?
II do not know. 1t seems strang
after the way he talked to me yesterda
J morning I will 60 right over to hi
Office and tell him how happy be ha
made u.s."
. He found Mr.. Merton in, and ez
g pressed his gratitude in glowing terms
g "What could have induced you,'
r asked, ssto show US so much kindness?
Il followed your suggestion" r.
: piled Mr.. Merton, "and put myself
q your place. | expect that it woul
g surprise you very much to learn th'
E the strange traveller to whom you show
Q ed so much kindness yesterday WI
i myself"