The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-04-16
Selert Storp.
Put Yourself in Ny Place. =

nave my IDOutyS auu u you SoHhos Poy
it must forecose the mortgage and sell
the place." said Mr. Merton.
"In that case" said Mr. Bishop, cit
will of course, be sold at great sscri-
fee. and after all the struggles have
made, my family will again be homeless
Il is hard. I only wish you had to earn
your money as l do mine; you might
then know something OF the life of
poor man. II you could only in imagi.
nation put yourself in my place, think
YOU would have little mercy on me"
at is useless talking; extended the
time one year, and | can do so no Ion
GER" 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 Office.
His last hope was gone He had just
recovered from long illness which bad
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 iu his
family, and he had felt very much oblig.
ed to him for doing so. This year he
had been laid up for seven months, du.
ring which time he could earn nothing,
and all his earnings were then needed
for the support of his family Again be
failed, and now be would again be home
less and have to begin anew Had heav-
en- forssken him and given him over to
the tender mercies of the wicked2
Alter he had left the Office, Mr.. Mer-
ton could not drive away from his
thoughts the remark to which the poor
man in his grief gave utterance. 81 wish
you had to earn your money as I do
mine."a 4eas j
In the midst of row Of figures, Put
yourself in my place" intruded
Once after it had crossed his mind he
laid down his pen, saying, swell / thinb
/ should ind it rather hard. ] have 9
mind to drop in there this afternoon and
see how it fares with his family thai
man has aroused my curiosity"
About FIVE o'clock he put or gTa,,.
wig aud some cast-off clothes and walket
to the door; Mrs Bishop, pale, weary
looking woman opened it. The poor ole
man requested TO enter and rest awhile
saving he was very tired with his Ions
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, and then began to make prepa
ration for tea.
The old gentleman watched her attent
lively. He saw there was no elasticity il
her step, no hope in her movements, ant
pity for her began to steal into his heart
When her husband entered her feature.
relaxed into smile, and she forced ,
cheerfulness into her manner; the trav
eler noted it all, and was forced to ad
mire this woman who could assume
cheerfulness she did not feel for her hus
bands sake After the table was pre-
pared there was nothing on it but breat
and butter and tea. They invited tn
stranger to eat with them, saying. "W
have not much to offer you, but cup q
tea will refresh you after your long jour
ney"
He accepted their hospitality, and a
they discussed the frugal meal led them
without seeming to do soto talk OF thei
affairs.
Il bought this piece of land" said Nj
Bishop, sat very low price,and instea'
of waiting, as ought to have done, ur
til saved the money to build I though
/ would borrow a few hundred dollars
The interest on the money would not b
as much as the rent was paying, and
would be saving something by it I di
not think there would be any difficulty |
paying back the money; but the irs
year my wife aud one of my childre
were i'll, and the expense left me withor
means to pay the debt. Mr. Merto
agreed to wait another year if l woul
pay the interest, which did. This yea
| was for seven months unable to wor
at my trade and earn anything, and c
course, when pay day comes around
and that will be very soon-I shall h
unable to meet the demand"
| "But," said the stranger, "will not Nj
Merton wait another year, if you max
the circumstances known to him ?"
1 mo, sir" replied Mr.. Bishop; 81 sa,
him this morning, and be said he mus
have the money or he would be obiige
to foreclose.
HE must be very hard-hearted," RI
marked the traveller. H
"Not necessarily so,' replied Mr. Bist
op. "The fact is, these rich men kno
nothing of the struggles of the poor :
They are men, just like the rest Of mar
kind and ! an sure II they had but tn