Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-12
"Put Yourself in My Place."

L CdluOb Wdlt any lOuSCI. hAoHe
have my money, and if you cannot pay
it must foreclose the mortgage and sell
the place." said Mr.. Merton.
"In that case" said Mr.. Bishop, sit
will, of course, be sold at great sacri-
flee. and after all the struggles [ have
made, my family will again be homeless.
1t is hard. I only wish you had to earn
your money as do mine; you might
then know something of the hard life OF
poor man. Ifyou could. only in inn
agination, put yourself in my place, l
think you would have little mercy On
me.n
IF is useless talking extended this
one year, and I can do so no longer
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 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 bad 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 need
ed for the support of his family. Again
he failed, and now he would again be
homeless, 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.. Mer-
ton could not drive away from his
~ NV - fnl, fEo
man in his griefgave utterance, ~ wish
you had to earn your money as I do
mine"
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, "Well, I
think 1 should find it rather hard. I
have mind to drop in there this after
noon, and see how it fares with his
osity.n =. .U
About five O'Clock he put on gray
wig and some old cast-off clothes and
walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop, pale,
weary looking 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 af-
forded; she then began to make prepa-
ratiOns for tea.
The old gentlemen watched her atten-
lively. He saw there was no elasticity
In her step, no hope in her movements,
ana pity for her began to steal into his
heart. When her husband entered, her
features relaxed into a smile, and she
forced cheerfullness into her manner
-The traveller noted it all, and he was
forced to admire this woman who could
assume cheefuiness she did not feel
1or her husbands sake. After the table
was prepared, there YVES nothing on it
but bread and butter and tea. They TO-
vlted the stranger to atwith them, say
ing, "We have not much to offer you
out 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 50, to talk of their
affairs.
bought this piece of land" said Mr..
Blsnop, lat very low price, and in
. stead OF waiting, as [ ought to have
zone, until saved the money to build
1 thought would borrow few hundred
dollars.-The interest on the money
would not be near as much as the rent
was paying, and I 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 ill, and
the expense left me without means to
pay the debt. Mr. Merton agreed to
wait another year if L would pay the in
terest, which / did.-This year L was
for seven months unable to work at my
trade and earn anything, and of course
when pay day comes round-and that
VIII oe very soon-I shall be unable to
meet the demand" 81.
But" said the stranger, twill not
MT: Merton wait another year, if you
make all the circumstances known to
him?n
No sir" replied Mr.. Bishop ~ saw
him this morning, and he said he must
have the money and should be obliged
to foreclose.',
"He must be very hard-hearted, y re-
marked the traveller
mot necessarily So" replied Mr.. Bish-
op. 1.-The fact is. these rich men know
nothing of the struggles of the poor
They are men just like the rest of man.
kind, and am sure, if they had but the
faintest idea Of what the poor have to
pass through, their hearts and purses
would open. You know it has passed
into proverb-'When poor man needs
assistance, he shout 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 favorite express
SION they can at once put themselves
in the unfortunate ones place and APP
preciate difficulties, and are therefore al
ways ready to render assistance, as far
as they are able. If Mr.. Merton had the
least idea what and my family had TO
pass through, I think he would be will
ing to wait several years for his mon