The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-03-20
POOR VERSUS RICH.
AStory WIthaMoraI.

AStOEy With Moral.
Published by request. sf
~ cannot waitany longer. l must hav
money, and II you cannot pay 1t, / mus
forcclose the mortgage and sell tho place, ;
said Mr.. Merton.
"In that case" said Mr. Bishop, at will
OF course, be sold at a great sacrifice, ant
after all the struggle have made, my fam
lily will DO homeless. It is hard. only
wish you had to earn your money as dc
mine-you might then know something
OF the lie of q poor man. II you could
only in imagination put yourself in my
place, | thinkyou would have a little mef.
cy on me-"
ut is useless talking; extended this
one year, and ] can do so no longer" re.
piled Mr.. Merton, rs he returned 10 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 re-
covered from a 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 mp
for seven months, during which time he
could earn nothing, and all the 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 over TO the tender mercies OF
the wicked?
After he had left the office, Mr.. Merton
could not drive away from him thoughts
to which the poor man in his grief had
given utterance. Il wish you had TO earn
your money as do mine"
In the midst OF q row OF figures, "Put
yourself in my place" intruded.
Once, after 1t had crossed his mind, he
laid down his pen and said, "well think
should find it rather hard. l have
mind to drop In this afternoon, and see
how 1t fares with his family; that man has
aroused my curiosity"
About five o'clock he put on gray wig,
and some old, cast.of 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.
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 the features
laxed into a smile, and she forced cheer
fulness into her manner. The traveller
noted 1t all and was forced TO admire this
woman who could assume a cheerfulness
she could not feel, for her husbands sake.
Alter the table was prepared, there was
nothing on it but bread and butter and tea.
They invited the stranger to cat 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 so, TO talk Of their
affairs.
- bought this piece OF land" said Mr..
Bishop, "at very low figure, and instead
OF waiting until had money enough to
build, as | ought TO have dono, thought
would borrow few hundred dollars. The
interest on the money would not be near
as much as the rent was paying, and
would be saving something by il. l did
not think there would be any difficulty in.
paying back the money, but the first year
mY,wife and one OF the children were i'll,
ald the expense left me without means to
pay the debt. Mr. Merton agreed to wait
another year II would pay the interest,
which l did This year l was for seven
months unable to work ut my trade and
earn anything, and, OF course, when pay
day comes around-and that will be very
soon-I shall DO unable to meet the de-
mand."
"But, said the stranger, twill not Mr..
Merton waitanother year, il you make all
the circumstances known to him."
mo, sir" replied Mr.. Bishop. ~ saw
him this morning, and he must have the
money"
HE must be very hard-hcarted," re-
marked the traveller,
mot necessarily So" replied Mr.. Bish-
OPP. 1.-THE fact is, these rich men know
nothing ofthe struggles OF the poor. They
are men Just like the rest OF mankind, and
am sure II they had but the faintest idea
Of what the poor had to pass through,
their hearts and purses would open. You
know it has passed into proverb, when a
poor man needs assistance he should up
ply TO the poor. The reason is obvious.
Only the poor know the curse Of poverty.
If Merton had the least idea ofwhat and
my family had TO 60 through, think he
would be- willing 10 wait several years for
his money rather than distress US.
With what emotions tho stranger lis
tened may DO imagined. A new world
was being opened to him. He was pass
ing through an experience that had never
been his before. Shortly after the con-
clusion OF the meal he arose 10 take his
leave, thanking Mr.. and Mrs. Bishop for
their hind hospitality.
Mr.. Merton did not sleep much that
night; he lay awake thinking. IIo had
received new revelation. The poor had
always been associated In his mind with
stupidity and ignorance, and the iirst poor
family he had found far in advance, in
intelligence, sympathy and politeness, oil
the exquisite and fashionable butterflies
Of the day.
The next day a boy called at the cottage
and left package In large blue cnvel.
ope, directed TO Mr.. Bishop.
Mrs. Bishop was very much alarmed
when she took 1t, for large blue envelope,
were associated In her mind with law and
lawyers, and she thought that il bodied nc
good. She put 1t away until her HUSBAND
came home from work, when she handet
1t to him.
tents, and said teTently, "Thank heaven!'
"What is 1T, John" inquired his anx
ious wife.
GOOD news, WIFE," replied John, "Sucl
news as never hoped for or even dream
ed Of"
"What is it?" Tell me quick-I want t
lhear, II It is anything good"
"Mr. Merton has cancelled the mort
/ 4 L ~