Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-09
"His Brother Man."


"His Brother Man."
ST cannot wait any longer. I must
have my money, and IL you cannot pay
it I must foreclose the mortgage and
sell the place" said Mr.. Merton.
" In that case" said Mr.. Bishop, " it
will, Of course, be sold at great sacri-
fee, and after all the struggles / have
made, my family will be homeless. 1t
is hard. I only wish you had to earn
your money as do mine--you might
then know something Of the life Of a
poor man. If you could only in imag-
ination put yourself in my place, /
think you would have little mercy ON
me-"
at is useless ticking; I extended
this one year, and can do so no long
en-" 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 Of
hce. 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
had failed TO meet the demand, owing to
sickness in his family, and he 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
needed for the support Of his family.
nnsx, he s.:la5 ccl vo.> L. 1890
again be homeless and havo to begin
the world anew. Had heaven forsaken
him and given him over to the tender
mercies Of the wicked?
After be had left the Office, Mr.. Mer-
ton could not drive away from him
thoughts to which the poor man in his
grief had given utterance. "I wish
you had to earn your money as I do
NINE"
I'm the midst of row Of figures.
:. Put yourself in my place intruded.
Once, after it had crossed his mind,
he laid down his pen, and said, " Well,
/ think ! should find it rather hard. 1
have mind to drop in this afternoon.
and see how it fares with his family !;
that man has aroused my curiosity. !"
About five o'clock he put on a gray
wig, and some old, cast-off clothes, and
walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop. pale.
weary looking woman, opened il. 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.
The old gentleman watched her at
tentively. He saw there was no elas-
ITCHY in her step, no hope in her move
nients, and pity for her began to steal
into his heart. When her husband en-
tered the features relaxed into q smile.
and she forced a cheerfulness into her
manner. The traveller noted it all. and
was forced to admire this woman who
could assume cheerfulness sne could
not feel, for her husband's sake. After
the table was prepared, there was moth
ing on it but bread and butter and tea.
They invited the stranger to eat with
them, saying. We have not much to
offer You, but cup of tea will refresh
you after your long journey
He accepted their hospitality, and as
they discussed the frugal meal, led
them, without seeming to do 90. to talk
Of their affairs.
bought this piece Of land" said
MIR. Bishop, .ata very low figure, and
instead OF waiting until / had money
enough to build, as I ought to have
done, ] thought ] would borrow q few
hundred dollars. The interest on the
money would not be near as much as
the rent I was paying, and I would be
saving something by it. Ibid not think
there would be any difficulty in paving
back the money, but the first wear nv
wife and one Of the children were iii
and the expense left me without means
to pay the debt. Mr.. Merton agreed I'd
wait until another year II would pay
the interest, which / did. This year /
Was for seven months unable to work at
my trade and earn anything, and. Of
course. when pay day comes around
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 Won
make all the circumstances known IA
him?''
No, sir" replied Mr.. Bishop, q l
saw him this morning, and he must
have the money" !,
He must be very hard.hearted, )" re-
marked the traveller.
Not necessarily So" replied Mr..
Bishop The fact is, these rich men
know nothing Of the struggles Of the
poor. They are men Just like the rest
81 mankind. and I am sure il they had
put me faintest idea Of what the poor
mad 70 pass through, their hearts and
purses would open. You know Il hag
passed into proyerb, when q poor man
needs assistance be should apply to The
poor. The reason is obvious. Only
the poor know the curse of poverty.
Il M. Merton had the least idea 81
what and my family had to 60 through,