The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-02-06
81 PER ANNUM.

| am sure If they had the faiptest idea Of
what tho poor have to pass through, their
hearts aud their purses would open. You
know it has passed into proverb, "When
a poor man needs assistance, he should
apply to the poor" The reason is obvious.
The poor only know the curse of poverty.
Thcy know how heavily it falls, crushing
the spirit out of man. and to use my
favorte expression, they can at once put
themselves in the unfortunc ones place
and appreciate difficulties, and are there
fore 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 willing to wait several years for
his money, rather than distress us.
With what emotion the stranger listened
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 conclu-
sion of the meal, he 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, ~ will tres
pass on your kindness no longer. think
| 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 bad
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 intelligence, sympathy and
real poiteness, of the exquisites and fash
ionable butterflies of the day.
The next day boy called at the cot
tagc, aud left a package in a large blue
envelope, addressed to Mr.. Bishop.
Mrs. Bishop was very much alarmed
when she took it; for large blue envelopes
were associated in her mind with law aud
lawyers, and thought it BODIED no good
She put il away until her husband came
home from his work, when she handed 1t
to him.
lie opened it in silence, read its contents,
aud said frequently, "Thank Heavenl''
"Whot is it, John p inquired his anx-
ious wife.
"Good news, wife" replied John; 'such
news that had never hoped for, or even
dreamed Of.
what is it-what is it2 Tell me
quick-I want to hear it IL it Is anything
good"
" Mr.. Merton has cancelled the mort.
gage, released me from the debt, both the
principal and interest, and says any time
| need any further assistance il will let
him know | shall have 1t"
g | am so glad, 1t puts new life into
me" said the now happy wife. "But
what can have come over Mr. Merton?"
~ do not know. 1t seems strange
after the way he talked to me yesterday
morning. I will go right over to his Office
and tell him how happy he has made us"
lie found Mr.. Merton in, and expressed
his gratitude in glowing terms.
"What could have induced you" l
asked, "to show us so much kindness p
al followed your suggestion" replied
Mr.. Merton, "and put myself in your
place | 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 T. exclaimed Mr.. Bishop, "can
that be true? How did yoa disguise your
self so well ?"
=" | was not so much disguised after all,
but you could not very readily associate
Mr. Merton. the lawyer, with poor way
faring man--ha ha LA = laughed Mr.
Merton.
"Well, it is a good joke" said Mr.,
Bishop; good in more senses than one.
1t has terminated very pleasantly to me-
I" | was surprised" said Mr.. Merton,
sat the broad and liberal views you ex-
pressed Of men and their actions generally.
| supposed | had greatly the advantage
over you in means, education and culture;
yet how cramped and narrow-minded have
been my views beside yours That wife
of yours is an estimable woman, and that
boy Of yours will be an honor to any man.
| tell you, Bishop said the lawyer, be.
coming animated, ''you are rich-rich be-
yond what money can make you. You have
treasures that gold viii not buy. / tell
you, you owe me no thanks. Somehow, l
seem 10 nave lived years since yesterday
morning. l have got into a new world.
What ! learned ut your house is worth
more than you owe me and / am your
debtor yet. Hereafter, | shall take the
motto, "Put yourself in his place." aud
try to regulate my actions by it,"
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The following beautiful allegory is trans
lated from the German :-Sophronius, a
wise teacher, would not suffer his daughter
TO associate with those whose conduct was
not pure and upright "Dear father"
said the gentle Eulalia to him one day,
whca he forbade her, in company with her
brother, to visit the volatile Lucinda ayou
must think US very childish if you imagine