Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-02-21
HIS BROTHER MAN."
story Of Ayarice that Was Cured.

will, of course, be sold at n great sacri-
fee, and after all the struggles l have
made, my family will be homeless. 1t
is hard. / only wish you had to earn
your money as do mine--ycu might
then know something Of the life Of q
poor man. II you could only in mag
nation put yourself III my place. /
think you would have little mercy on
me-"
at is useless talking; ! extended
this one year. and can do 80 no long.
err" replied Mr.. Eertop. us 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. lie had just
recovered from a long illness, which
had Swallowed up the means with
which he had intended 10 make the
last payment on his home. True, Mr..
Merton had waited one year, when he
had failed to meet the demand, owing
TO sickness IN his family, and he felt
very much obliged TO him for doing 80.
This year he had been laid up Tor seven
months, during which time he could
earn nothing. and nil his savings were
needed 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 to the tender mer
cies Of the wicked2
After he had left the Office, Mr.. Mer-
ton could not drive away from him. the
thoughts to which tho poor man in his
grief had given utterance, " wish
you had TO earn your money MS 40
mine"
In the midst Of i row OF figures,
"Put yourself in my ,lacc," intruded.
Once, after it had crossed his mind,
he laid down his pen, and said,
"Well, | think | should find it rather
hard. have " mind to drop in this
afternooon and see. how IL fares With
his family; that man has aroused my
curiosity"
About 5 o'clock he put on gray
wig, and some old, castoh clothing,
and walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop,
a pale, wcafy-looking woman opened IT,
The poor old man requested perms-
sion to enter and rest awhile, saying he
was very tired with his long Journey
for he had walked many miles that
day. e.ua
TIE old lgentlenian watched q her at
tentivcH. He saw there. was no, olas-'
ITCHY IN Her step, no hope IN her move
ments, and pity for her began To steal
into his heart. When her husband
entered tho features relaxed into II
smile, and sho forced u chccrlulness IN
to her manner. The traveller noted il
MI, and was forced TO ADMIRE this
man who could assume ~ cheerfulness
she could not feel, for her husbands
sake. After tho table waa prepared,
there wus nothing on IL but bread and
butter md ten. They invited the etran-
ger TO eat with them, saying, " We
have not much to offer you, but II cup
Of ten will refresh you after your long
journey"
lie accepted their hospitality, and ms
thoya discussed thu frugal meal,. led
them, without seeming to'do 30, toitalk
Of their affairs.
~ bought this piece of land" said
Mr.. Bishop, Mt II very low figure, and
instead OF waiting till had money
enough TO build, M ! ought to have
done, tliQtlght would aborrpwq few
hundred dohnra. The INTEREST On the
money would not be near NJ much as
tho rent was paying, and ! would be
saving something by IL. ! did not
think there would be any difficulty i'll
paying back tho money, but the first
year my vito and ono of tho children
were i'll, und the expense left mo with
out my means to pay tho debt. Mr.,
Merton agreed to wait nnothorycnr ii |
would pay the interest which | did.
This year was for seven months I'M
able to work ut my trade and Darn
anything, and, Of course, when payday
comes around and that will be very
soon-,I shall be unable 10 meet tho
demand
But, said. tho stranger, will not
Mr.. Merton wait another year, ii you
mako all tho circumstances known TO
himP r. tt
mo, sir" replied Mr.. Bishop, I"
saw him this morning, and he must
have the money"
lie must be very hard-hearted, >
responded the traveller.
"Not necessarily So replied Mr.
Bishop. Tic fact is, these rich men
know nothing Of tho struggles Of the
poor. They are men just like the rest
of mankind, and am sure if they had
but the faintest idea of what tho poor
had To pass through their hearts and
purses would open. You know it
has passed into n proverb, when poor
man needs assistance he should apply
to the poor. The reason is Obvious.
Only tho poor know the curse of power
ty. Ii Mr.. Merton had tho least idea
Of what | and my family had to 60
through, | think no would DO willing 70
wait several years for his money rather
than distress us.
With what emotion the stranger list
oncd may be imagined. A now world
was being opened To him. lie was
passing through M experience that had
never been his before. Shortly after
the conclusion of the meal he arose to
take His leave, thanking Mr.. and Mrs,
Bishop for their kind hospitality.
Mr.. Merton did not sleep much that
night; hc lay awake thinking. lie had
received u new revelation. The poor
Ind always been associated il his mind