The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-02-06
Select Storp.
fHE MORTGAGE FoREOLosED.

The MORTGAGE EURbULUShD
al cannot wait any longer. must have
1poney, and if you cannot pay it, must
orecloso the mortgage and sell the place,
lid Mr. Merton,
" In that case, said Mr.. Bishop, Z" il
nill, of course, be sold at great sacrifice
md after all the struggles | have made
ny family will again bo homeless. Ii is
rery hard | only wish you had to earn
ycur money as | do mine you might then
now something of the hard life Of poor
snan. Ifyou could only in imagination
ppt yourself in my place, | think you
Hould have little mercy on me.
" II is useless talking / extended thi:
ope year, and can do $50 no longer, replied
Mr. Merton, as he turned to his desk aud
discontinued writing
The poor man rose from his seat and
Talked sadly out Of Mr. Mertons Office
BE last hope was gone. He had just re-
severed from long illness, which had
zwallowed up the means with which he
bad intended to make the last payment on
his house. True, that gentleman had
Naited one year, when he had failed to
meet the demand, owing to illness in his
family, and he had felt very much obliged
10 hime for doing SO. This year he had
been laid up for several months, during
which he could earn nothing aud his sav.
ings were then needed for the support Of
himself and family. Again he failed, and
now he 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. Mer.
ton could not drive away from his
thought, that remark to which the poor
man in his grief had given utterunce, 81
wish you had to earn your money as do
mine. In the midst Of a row Of figures
d" Put yourself in my place" intrudcd.
Once nfler it had crossed his mind, he
laid down his pen, saying, Well, | think
should find it rather hard. have a
mind to drop in there this afternoon, and
see how it fares with his family that man
has reused my curiosity" "
About Eve o'clock he put on a gray wig
aud some old cast-off clothes, walked to
the residence of Mr.. Bishop, and knocked
at the door Mrs. Bishop, pale, weary
looking woman, opened il the poor old
man requested permission to enter and
rest awhile, saying he was very tired with
his long journey, for he had walked many
miles that day.
Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him in
and gave him the best seat the room af.
forded. She then began to make prepa-
rations for tea. The old gentleman watch
ed her attentively. He saw there was no
elasticity in her step, no hope in her move
mems and pity for her began to steal in
to his heart. When her husband entered
her features relaxed into a smile, and she
forced cheerfulness into her manner.
The traveller noted it all and he felt
himself forced TO admire this woman, who
could assume cheerfulncss she did not
feel for her husbands sake. After the
table was prepared, there was nothing up
on ii but bread, butter and tea. They
invited the stranger to cat with them say
ing We have not much to offer You,
but cup Of tea will refresh you after yoar
long journey"
He accepted their hospitality, and as
they discussed their frugal meal, he led
them, without seeming 10 do so, to talk of
their Affairs.
!" bought this piece Of land, said Mr..
Bishop, Sat very low price, and instead
of waiting as ought to have, until / had
saved the money to build, | thought
would borrow two hundred dollars. The
interest on The money .wonla,no be nearly
as much as the rent | was paying, aud
would be saving something by doing ii.
did not think there would be any diff
Guilty in paying back the borrowed money,
But tho first year my wife and one of my
children were i'll, and the expense left no
means 70 pay the debt. Mr.. Merton
agreed to wait another year, if ! would
pay the Interest," Z 4 did chat 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 soons shall again be unable to meet
the demand"
saBut 4'said the stranger, "will not Mr..
Merton wait another year, if you make all
circumstances known to him p
No, SIR replied Mr. Bishop, 81 saw
him this morning, and he said he must
have the money, and should be Obliged 70
foreclosc. .
lie must be very hard-hearted, replied
the traveller.
Not necessarily so said Mr. Bishop.
'fhc fact is, these rich men know nosl<
ing of the STRUGGLES az The Moor TAxz