The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-08
"PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE.,

'PUI IOURSELF IN MY PLACE,
81 cannot wait any longer. I must
have my money, and if you cannot pay it
must foreclose the mortgage and sell the
place, said Mr.. Merton.
g In that case" said Mr.. Bishop, ait
will, of course, be sold at a great sacri-
fee, and, after all the struggles l have
made, my family will again be homeless.
1t is hard, only wish you had to earn
your money as l do mine; you might
then know something of the hard life of
a poor man. If you could, only in i'm
agination, put yourself in my place, l
think you would have little mercy on
me-" 80
at is useless talking; extended this
one year, and l can do so no longer" re-
piled 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 office.
His last 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. True, Mr.. Merton had
waited one year when he had failed to
meet the demand, 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 seven months,
during which time he could earn moth
ing, and all his savings were then needed
for the support 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 mercies of the wicked?
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 row of figures, "Put
yourself in my place" intruded.
Once after it crossed his mind he laid
down his pen, saying: "Well, l think l
should find it rather hard. l have
mind to drop in there this afternoon, and
see how it fares with his family; that man
has aroused my curiosity"
About five o'clock he put on gray
wig and some old, cast-otf clothes and
walked to the door, Mrs. Bishop, pale,
weary-looking woman, opened it. The
poor old man requested permission to en-
ter and rest awhile, saying he was very
tired with his long journey, for ne 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 watched her atten-
fiup1u He Of -
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 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 eat with them, say
ing: We have not much to offer you,
but cup of tea will refresh you after
your long journey"
He accepted their hospita and, as
they discussed the frugal me them,
without seeming to do so, to Of their
affairs.
&C. bought this piece of land" said
Mr.. Bishop, at a very low price, and, in
stead of waiting as l ought to have done
until l saved the money to build, |
thought l 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
by it. | 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 l
would pay the interest, which | did.
This year / 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 be very soon
i shall be unable to meet the demand"
"But," said the stranger, evil not
Mr.. Merton wait another year, if you
make all the circumstances known to
him?"
"No, sir" replied Mr.. Bishop; "I saw
him this morning and he said he must
have the money and should be obliged
to foreclose."
He must be very hard-hearted" re-
marked the traveller.
mot necessarily So" replied Mr..
Bishop "The fact is, these rich men
know nothing of the struggles of the
poor. They are men just like the rest Of