The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-01-23
MISCELLANY.
pUr YOURSELF IN MP PLACE.

\ cohaAos M1tt Nhf tonScks AHuSt unft
my money, and If you can not pay ii must
foreclose the mortgage and sell the place, 7
said Mr.. Merton.
In that case, said Mr.. Bishop, 1t will
of course, be sold at great sacrifice, and af-
ter all the struggles have made, my family
will again be homeless. 1t is very hard l
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.
l think you would have little more mercy
on me.''
cit Is useless talking l extended this
one year, and can do SO no longer" replied
Mr.. Merton, as he turned to his desk and con-
tinued writing
The poor man rose from his seat and walk.
ed sadly out of Mr.. Merton's office. His last
hope was gone. He had just recovered from
long illness which had swallowed up the
means with which he had intended to make
the last payment on his house. True, Mr..
Morton he'd waited one year when he had fail
ed to meet the demand owing to illness in the
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 nothing, and all his savings were
then needed for the support of his family -
Again he failed, and now again he would be
homeless, and have to begin the world anew.
Had Heaven forsaken him, and given him ov-
er to the tender mercies Of the wicked9
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 1t had crossed his mind he laid
down his pen saying, " Well, I think should
find it rather hard. I have mind to drop in
there this afternoon, and see how It fares with
his family that man has reused my curios-
ityo
About five o'clock he put OH gray wig
and some old cast-off clothes, walked to the
residence of Mr.. Bishop, ard knocked at the
door, Mrs. Bishop, PALE weary-looking
woman, opened it. The poor old man request
ed 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 afforded -
She then began to make Preparations for tea
The old gentleman watched her attentively.
lie saw there was no elasticity in her step, no
hope in her movements, and pity for her be-
gan to steal into his heart. When her hus-
band entered her features relaxed into a
smile, and she forced cheerfulness into her
manner. The traveller noted it all, and he was
forced to admire this woman who could as
slime cheerfulness she did not feel for her
husbands sake. After tile table was prepar-
ed, there was nothing on it but bread aud but
ter and tea. They invited the stranger to eat
with them, saying, "W We have not much to
offer you, but cup OF tea will refresh you
after your long journey"
lie accepted their hospitality, and, as they
discussed the frugal meal, led them, without
seeming to do so, to talk of their affairs.
81 bought this piece of land" said
Mr.. Bishop, cat very low price, and,
instead of waiting as l ought to have
Oouc Until odfcu tuc iHouCy W ouiiu,
thought would borrow a few hundred dol
lars. 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 ex-
pense left me without means to pay the debt
Mr.. Morton agreed to wait another year If /
would pay the interest, which l did. This
year / was for seven months unable to work
at my trade and earn anything and of course
when payday comes round-and that will be
very soon--I will be unable to meet the de-
mand."
Merton wait another year, if you make all
the circumstances known to him2"
"No sir" replied Mr.. Bishop 81 saw
him this morning, and he said he must have
the money and should be obliged to FORE
close"
!" He must be very hard-hearted," remark
cd the traveller.
'tNot necessarily SO, replied Mr.. Bishop.
i" The fact is, these rich men know nothing
of the struggles ofthe poor. They are men
just like the rest of mankind and am sure
if they had the faintest idea Of what the poor
have to pass through, their hearts and purses
would open. You know it has passed into a
proverb-s When poor man needs assistance
he should apply to the poor The reason is
obvious. Only the poor know the curse Of
poverty. They know how heavily it falls,
crushing the heart of man, and Ito use my ia
yorite expression) they can at once put them
serves In the unfortunate ones place and APP
preciate difficulties and are therefore always
ready torender assistance as far as they are "a
BILE. If Mr.. Merton had the least idea what
and my family had to past through, / think
he would be willing to wait several years for
his money rather than distress u.s.
With what emotion the stranger listened
may be imagined. A new world was being
opened to him. He was passing through an
experience that had never been his before
Shortly after the conclusion Of the meal, he
rose to take his leave, thanking Mr. and Mrs.
| fnxytf oI