Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-02-06
Put Yourself in My Place.

"I cannot wait any longer. I must
have my money, and if you cannot pay
it must foreclose the mortgage and
sell the place." said MIR. Merton. .a
"In that case" said Mr.. Bishop, it
will of course be sold at a great sacri-
fee, and after all the struggles I have
made, my family will again be home
less. 1t is very hard. I only wish you
had to earn your money as do mine,
you might then know something of the
hard life Of poor man. If you could
only in Imagination put yourself in my
place, 1 think you would have a little
more mercy on me-"
" 1t is useless talking; ! extended
this one year and can do so no longer" !"
replied Mr.. Merton, as he turned to
his desk and continued writing.
The poor man rose from his seat and
walked sadly out of Mr.. Merton's Of
fee; his last hope was gone. He had
Just recovered from q long fit of sick
ness, which had swallowed up the
means with which he intended to make
the last payment on his house. True,
that gentleman had waited one year,
when he had failed to meet the de-
mand, owing to illness in his family,
and he had felt very much obliged to
him for doing so. This year he had
been laid up for several months, dur
ing which he could earn nothing, and
all his savings were then needed for
the support of himself and family.
Again he had 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
thoughts that remark to which the poor
man in his grief had given utteranoe,
I wish you had to earn your money as
do mine.
In the midst of o row of figures, I" Put
yourself in my place." intruded.
Once after it had crossed his mind,
he laid down his pen, saying, "Well, 1
think / should find it very hard. I have
mind to drop in there this afternoon,
and see how it fares with his family,
the man has reused my curiosity"
About five o'clock he put on gray
wig and some old, cast-of clothing,
walked to the residence of Mr.. Bishop
and knocked at the door. Mrs. Bishop
o pale, weary-looking woman, opened
it, the poor old man requested per-
mission to enter and rest awhile, saying
lie 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
afforded. She then began to make
preparations for tea. The old gentle
man watched her attentively. He saw
there was no elasticity In her step, no
hope in her movements; and pity for
her.- Degan 10 steal into his heart
When her husband entered, her fea-
lures relaxed into o smile, and she
forced cheerfulness into her manner.
The traveller noticed it all, and felt
himself 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 ON it but bread, butter and
tea. They invited the stranger to eat
with. them, saying, We have not much
to offer you, but cup of tea will re-
fresh you after your tedious journey" "
He accepted. .th0ir hospitality, and as
they discussed thier frugal meal, he
led them, without seeming to do so, to
talk of their own affairs.
"I bought this piece of land" said
MIR. Bishop, at very low price, and
instead of waiting as ought to have
done, until I have saved the money to
build, I thought would borrow two
hundred dollars. The interest on the
money would not be nearly as much as
the rent I vas paying, and I would be
saying something by doing it. I 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 expenses
had left me without the means to pay
the debt. Mr.. Merton agreed to wait
another year, if would pay the inter
est 4 did that. This year I was for
seven months unable to work at my
trade and earn anything; and Of course
when pay day comes around, and that
is very soon, I shall again be unable TO
meet the demand sl9mpt n ieaffs
LIS But, 4 said the stranger, will not Mr..
Merton wait another year, if fyou make
all the circumstances known to him. u
\" NO. sir" replied Mr.. Bishop. saw
him this morning, and he said he must
have the money, and should be obliged
to forclos8. =" a91' Z 5i'9i-''',l' y -
"He must be very hard-hearted," )" re.
piled the stranger. = = 'i-h' ''''''' -
ElisNot necessarily 90, :. said MIR. Bishop.
The fact Isl these rich men know moth.
ing Of the struggles Of fthe poor. They
are bud, just like the rest Of mankind,
land / Am sure il they had but the faint
est idea Of what the poor have to pass
through. their hearts and their purses
would open Yoni know that i jk /,
passed into 10 proyerb, when pool
4 L. - u X ..,y~