The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-12-02
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fBast fereeiose toc tB0FtEaEs aaa $751; sse
place, sAla Mr. Merton.
IL thai case. said Mr.. Bishop, i will Of
course be soid at great sacrifice, and Af.
ter al tie slzGgRle2 have made ny fam
ily will again be homeless. II i very
hard, only Wish yoa bad to cara yonT
money As / DO miae; you might tbea
kuoW something Of the hard lie OF 4 poer
rnaD. II you oonld only, In Imagination,
pa, yourself In my place, think yoa
would have httle mercy on me.
!. II Is useless talking. extended this one
year, and can DO so no longer, replied
Mr.. Merton, ~ he turned 10 bis desk and
continued writing.
The poor man arose from bic seat and
walked sadly out Of Mr.. Merion's Office.
Ills last hope ives gone. lie had just re-
covered from q lOng illness, which had
swallowed up the means with which be
had intended 10 make the last pay ment
90 bis house. True, Mr.. Merton had
waited one year, when be had failed TO
meet the demand owing 10 illness In bis
family, and he had felt very much obliged
10 him for doing so. This year he had
been laid up seven months, during which
time be could earn nothing, aud theu his
savings were all needed for the support
Of bis family, Again be bad failed, and
now be would agaid be homeless, and
have TO begin the world anew. Had
Heaven forsakeD him, given him over TO
the mercy Of the wickedS
Amer be had left the Office Mr.. Merton
could not drive away from his thoughts
the remark to which the poor man had
given uttersnce, wish you had TO earn
your money as do mine. In the midst
Of row of figures, Put ourself in my
place, appeared.
Once, alter II had crossed bis mind, he
laid down bis pen, saying, Well, think
| should find il rather hard. have a
mind to drop In there this afternoon and
see how II fares with his family; that
man has reused my curiosity.
About O'Clock be put on gray wig
and some old cast-ofr 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 entered, aud requested permission
to rest awhile, saying he was very tired
with bis long journey, for he had walked
many miles that day.
Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him in,
end gave him the best seat the room af-
forded. She then began 10 make prepa-
ratlons for tea.
The old gentleman watched her atten-
lively. He saw there was no elasticity
in her step, no hope in her movement,
and pity for her began TO steal into bis
heart. When her husband entered her
features relaxed into a smile, and she
forced q cheerfulness into her manner.
The traveller noted il all, aud he was
forced to admire this woman, who could
assume cheerfulness she did not feel for
her husbands sake. After the table was
prepared there was nothing upon it but
bread and butter and tea. They invited
the stranger to eat with them, saying, we
have not much to offer you, but cup of
tea will refresh you after your long jour.
ney.
lie accepted their hospitality, and as
they discussed their frugal meal, led
them, without seeming to do SO, to talk
OF their affairs.
bought this piece of land, said Mr.
Bishop, at very low price, and instead
OF waiting, as | ought to have done, until
| had saved money to build, thought
would borrow a few hundred dollars.
| The interest on the money would not be
near as much as the rent was paying,
and would be saving something by it.
/ | did not think there would be any diff.
Guilty In paying back the borrowed
I money; but the first year my wife aud
one of my children were III, and the ex-
pense left me without the means to pay
the debt. Mr.. Merton agreed to wait,
which be did. This year for seven months
was unable to work at my trade and
earn anything, and Of course when pay
day comes round-and that will be soon
Il shall again be unable TO meet the de-
I mand.
But, said the stranger, will not Mr.
Merton wait another year IL you make
known all the circumstances
No, sir, replied Mr.. Bishop, saw him
this morning, and be said be must have
the money aud should be obliged to fore
close.
lie must be very hsrd-hesrted, replied
the stranger.
Not necessarily so. said Mr.. Bishop.
The fact Is, these rich men know nothing
Of the struggles Of the poor. They are
men just like the rest OF mankind, aud |
sm sure If they had but the faintest idea
OF what the poor have to pass through,
their hearts and their purses would be
open. You know Il has passed into a
proverb--When poor man needs assist.
Ance be should apply TO the poor. The
reason Is obvious. Only the poor know
the cure Of poverty. They know how
boavily Il fails, crushing the heart out o.
man, and TO use my fsyorite expires.
sion) lbey can st once put themselves in
the unfortunate ones place and appreci
ate difficulties, and are therefore Away
ready TO render assistance A. far as thel
are able. II MFR. Merton bad the leas
idea Of what me and my family have Il
pass through, think be wsuld be will
Ing 70 wait seyeral YEAR for Bis none