The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-02-08
Put yourself in my Place ,

Il cannot wait any longer. Unjust have
my money, and If you cannot pay it / must
foreclose the mortgage and sell the place"
Said Mr.. Merton.
I'm that case" said Mr.. Bishop. ait
viii, of course. be sold nc n great sacrifice,
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 ns
| do mini you might then know something
of the hard life Of n poor man. II you
oould, only in imagination. put yourself in
my place. i think you would have n little
mercy on me"
1t is useless talking; ] extended this
one year, and ! can do 80 no longer" replied
Mr.. Merton, rs no turned 10 his desk and
continued writing.
The poor man rose from his seat and
walked sadly out Of Mr.. Mcrton's office.
Ills last hope was gone. lie had just re.
covered from n long illness which had swat
lowed up the means with which he had in
tended to make the last payment on his
house. True, Mr.. Merton had waited one
wear when he had failed to meet the de.
nand, owing to illness in his family, and
&c had felt very much obliged to him for
'!Oing so. This year he had been laid up
for seven months, during which time he
could earn nothing, and all his savings were
-AANh tthtu - wv huHlo'l Vi MS MIL
Again he failed, and now he would again
re homeless, and have to begin the world
anew. Had heaven forsaken him, and
given him over to the tender mercies of tho
wicked
After he had left tho Office, Mr.. Merton
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
our money rs l do mine"
In the midst of n row of figures, Put
Yourself in my place " iutruded.
Once after it had crossed his mind he
laid down his pen. saying, well, l think
| should find it rather hard. have a mind
20 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 n gray wig
and seine old cast off clothes and walked to
the door. Mrs. Bishop, a pale, wenry-look-
ing woman opened it. The poor old man
requested 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 atten.
lively. 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 n smile, and she forced a cheer.
fulness into her manner. The traveller
noted it all, and he was forced to admire
This woman who could assume n cheerful
ness she did not feel, for her husbands
k After the table was prepared, there
vas nothing on it but bread and butter and
ga. They invited the stranger to eat with
them, saying. 1--WE have not much to cfer
you, but n cup of tea will refresh you after
your long journey"
He accepted their hospitality, and, rs
they discussed the frugal meal. led them.
without seeming TO do so, TO talk Of their
affairs.
~ bought this piece OF land" said Mr..
Bishop. " ut n very low price, and instead
OF waiting, us | ought 70 have done. until !
saved the money TO build. ] thought would
borrow a few hundred dollars. The interest
on the money would not be near as much
as the rent / was paying, md / would be
saving something Ly i. / did not think
there would be AIRY liG:rrlty in paving back
the money but the fr.: year my wife and
one Of my Children We're i'll, and the ex-
pense left me witlioi:t means to pay the
debt. Mr.. Motion agreed T." wait another
year IL [ woull pay the interest, which ]
did. This year ] was for scvcn months un.
able to work at my trade and earn anything.
and of course when payday comes round
and that will I've very snnn-I shall be
unable to moot TIE drTard."
But" said the stranger. will not Mr..
Merton wait another ycir, il You make all
the circumstances Known 10 him ?"
"No, sir" replied Mr.. bishop =" ! saw
him this morning, and hn said he must
have the money and should be obliged to
forcclose."
He must be very hard-hcartcd," remark
cd the traveller.
"Not necessarily So" replied Mr.. Bishop
The fact is, these rich men know nothing
Of the struggles of tho poor They are mel
Just like the rest OF mankind, and l am
sure, If they had but the faintcst idea o.
what the poor nave 10 pass through, then
hearts and purses would open You kno"
It has passed into a provcrb--' When Il poo
man needs assistance. he should apply TO til.
moor The reason Is obvious. Only til.
poor know the curse of poverty. The,
know how heavily it falls, crushiuo III,
heart of man, and Ito use 10y fayoritn eSpre,
sion) they can ut once put themselves i,
The unfortunate ones place ard appreciat.
difficulties, and arc therefore always read,
to rende assistance as far rs they ore able
II Mr.. Merton had tho least idea what ]
and my family had to pass through. / think
he would he willing to wait several year
for his money rather than distress us
With whnt emotion the stranger listened
may be imagined. new world was being
opened to him lie was passing through Al
experience that had never been his before
Shortly after the conclusion Of the meal ht
rose to take his leave, thanking Mr.. and
Mrs. Biahop for their kind hospitality. The,
invited him to stay all night, telling him he
was welcome to what they had