Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-11-09
PUT YOURSELF In MY PLACE"

fUI foukSbhF I'm my fhAuh'"
II cannot wait any longer. l must
have my money, and if you cannot pay it
must 'fOreclose the mortgage and sell the
place. I" said Mr. Merton. e.a
"In that case, ~ said Mr.. Bishop cit
viii, Of course, be sold at a great sacri-
fee, and, after all the struggles have
made, my family will again be homeless
tits hard. 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 i'm
agination, put yourself in my place, l
think you would have little mercy on
me."&~ l'r
"It is useless talking; extended this
one year, and ] can do SO no longer" re-
piled Mr.. Merton, as he turned to his
desk and continued writing. H4
The poor man rose from his seat and
walked sadly out of Mr.. Mertons office
Hisiast hope was gone. He had just re-
covered from long Illness, which had
swallowed up the means with which he
had intended to make the last payment
on his house. 10 True, Mr., Merton had
waitedsyone year when he had failed to
meetSthe demand, owing to illness in his
faniFyS and he had felt very much
obliged to him for doing so. This year
he had been laid up for seven months,
during which time he could earn moth
ing, and all his savings we're then needed
forihe mpport of his family Again he
failed, and now he would again be home.
less, and have to begin the world anew.
Had Heaven forsaken him, and given him
over to, the tender merces of the wicked2
After he had left the office, Mr. Merton
could not drive away from his thoughts
the remark to which the poor man in his
grief gave utterance: " l wish you had to
earn your money as do mine"
In the midst of a row of figures, "Put
Yourself In my place" intruded. sf
Once after it crossed his mind he laid
down his pen, saying: "Well, l think |
should find it rather hard. have a
mind to drop in there this afternoon, and
Seehow it fares with his family; that man
has aroused my curiosity"
About five o'clock he put on gray
wig and some old, cast.off clothes and
walked to the door. Mrs, Bishop, pale,
wearylooking woman, opened it. The
poor old manrequested permission to en-
ter and rest awhile, saying he was very
bllCO WIN hlo lOuH lOl uO uuN
walked many miles that day.
Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him in
and gave him the best seatith room af-
forded. She then began to make prepa-
rations for tea.
The old gentleman watched her atten-
uRely.A He saw there was no elasticity
in her step, no hope in her movements,
and pity for her began to steal into his
heart. When her husband entered, her
features relaxed into smile, and she
forced q cheerfulness into her manner.
The traveller noted it. all, and he was
forced to admire this woman who could
assume a cheerfulness she did not feel,
for her husbands sake. After the table
was prepared, there was nothing on it
but bread and butter and tea They in
vited the stranger to cot with them say
ing; 1--WE have not much to offer you,
but cup of tea will refresh you after
your long journey"
He accepted their hospitality, and, as
they discussed the frugal meal, led them,
without seeming TO do so, to talk of their
affairs. ,siist.
kiHqI bought this piece of land,p said
Mr.. Bishop, at very low price, and, in.
stead of waitingas ought 70 have done
until l saved the money to build,
thought would borrow few hundred
dollars. The interest on the money would
not be near as much as the rent was
paying and / would be saving something
byit' 't1' did not think there would be
any difficulty in paying back the money;
but the first year my wife and one of my
children were i'll, and the expense left
me without means to pay the debt. Mr.
Merton agreed to wait another year if
would pay the interest, which | did
This year I was for seven months una.
BILE TO work at my trade and earn any
Thing, and, of course, when pay day
comes round-and that will beVery soon
-4lsshali' be unable to meet the demand"
But" said the stranger, twill not
Mr.. Merton wait another year, if you
make al the circumstances known to
'sHOS sirsp replied Mr.. Bishop; :" l saw
him this smUrning and he said he must
nave the money and should be obliged
to foreclose."
He must be very hard.hearted," re.
marked the traveller. 0u
Not necessarily So" replied Mr.
Bishop. The fact is, these rich men
know nothing Of the struggles of the
poQr 4heyare men just like the rest of
mi Wf,nd, and am sure, if they had but
thf faintest idea of what the poor had TO
pass through, their hearts and purses
would open. You know it has passed
intp.sProYerbs j When a poor man needs
assistance he should apply 10 the poor
Tie reason Is obvious, Only the poor
know the curse of poverty, They know
howiheaEily Il falls, crushing the heart
of man, and TO use my favorite expires.
sidpJ they can At once put themselves in
thu unfortunate mans place and appre-
ci4e1difioultieS and are therefore al
ways ready 20 render assistance as far as
hSysate able. II Mr., Merton had the
leabtidea what and my family had TO
PADS through think he would be willing
to wait several years for his money
rather than distress us"
With what emotion the stranger lis.
teqfd1 ~ ~ be imagined. A new world
wd ~ Qpensd v lin BE wac pass
ing through an experience that had never
been his before. Shortly after the con-
Slusion Of the meal he rose to take his