South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-04-19
Put Yourself in MY Place.

Il cannot wait any longer. must
have my money. and IL you cannot pay
1t must foreclose the mortgage and
sell the place. said Mr.. Merton.
In that case said Mr.. Bishop, 1T
viii, LOT course. be sold ut great sacrifice
& after all the struggles have made, my
family will again bchomelcss. 1t Is hard.
1 only wish you had to earn your money
as do mine: you might then know
something Of the hard fife OF poor
man. lfyou could, only In imagina.
ton, put yourself in my place. think
You would have little mercy on me-,
1t is useless talking 1 extended this
one year, and 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 AMI
walke,i sadly out of Sir. .Mertou,s ONCE.
fiis last nope ~as 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 hal failed to
meet the demand, owing to illness in
his family; and lie had felt very much
obliged to him for doing so. This year
he had been laid up seven months, dur.
ing. which time he could earn nothing,
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 left the Office, Mr.. Merton could
not drive away from his thoughts the
remark TO which the poor man IN his grief
gave uttcrance, Il wish you had to earn
money as 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, |
think should fnd it rather hard. I
have mind to drop in there this after.
| noon, and see how it fares with his
family; that man has aroused by curio.
sitv.
About five o'clock he put on a gray
wig and some old cast off clothes and
walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop, a
pale, weary looking woman. opened it.
The poor old man requested permission
| w Shtct ouN ECSI hWuttC, tC y" 90
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 az.
forded; she then began to make prepa
rations for tea.
The old gentleman watched her at
tentively. He saw there was no elasti-
city in her step, no hope in her moves
rnents, & pity for her began to steal into
his heart. When her husband entered her
features relaxed into q smile, and she
forced a cheerfulness into her manner
The traveller noted it all, and he was
forced to admire this woman who coul,l
assume n cheerfulhess she did not fee J.
for her husbands sake. After the Ia.
ble'was prepared, there was nothing on
it but bread and butter an tea. They
invited the stranger to cat with them,
| saying, 'Ne have not much to offer you
but a cup Of tea will refresh you after
you: long journey.
lie accepted their hospitality. and as
they discussed the frugal meal, led them
without seeming to do 80, to talk Of
their affairs.
L bought this piece Of land said Mr.
Bishop at very low price, and instead
of waiting, as ought to have done. unit
| saved the money to build, Thought
would borrow few hundred dollars. The
interest on the money would not be-
near as much as the rent I was paving
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
IL would pay the interest, which did
This year i was for seven months unable
to work ut my trale and earn an yIhing
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, viii not Mr.
Merton wait another year, il you make
all the circumstances known To- himS
No, sir replied Mr.. Bishop, Il saw
him this morning, and he said he mus
have the money and should be obi iged
10 foreclose.
He must be very hard-he arted,' re-
marked the traveller.
Not necessarily So. replied Mr.. Bish
op. The fact is, these rich men know
nothing Of the struggles Of the poor
They are men just like the rest Of man
kind, aud am sure, IL they had but the
faintest idea Of what the poor have u
pass through, their hearts and purses
would open, You know IL has passed
into proverb When n poor man
needs assistance. be should apply to the
poor. The reason is obvious. Only
the poor know the curse Of POVERTY
They know how heavily it falls. crush.
ing tho heart or man, and 10 use my
tavori:e expression)they can at once put
themselves in the unfortunate ones
place and appreciate difficulties. and
are therefore always ready tn render
assistance, as far az they are able. II
/ Mr.. Merton had the least idea what 7