The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-04-11
"pur YOURSELF IN NY PLACE. "

it, | must foreclose the mortgage and
sell the place. said Mr.. Merton.
ain that ease" said Mr.. Bishop, sit
will, of course, be- sold ut great sac.
ridce, and, after all the struggles |
have made, my family will again be
homeless. IL is hard. only wish
you had to earn your money rs l do
mine; you might then know something
of hard life Of poor man. II you
could, only in imagination, put yoanelt
in my place, think you would have a
little mercy on me-
1T is useless talking; extended
this one year, and can do 30 no lon
ger" replied MIR. Merton rs he returned
To his desk and continued writing.
The poor man rose from his scat and
walked sadly out of Mr.. Merton'a of
lice. lis last hope was gone. lie had
just recovered from long illness,
which swallowed up the means with
which he had iVtended to make the last
payment ON the house. True, Mr..
Merton hal waited one year, when ho
failed to meet the demand, owing to ill
ness in his family, aud 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.
Again he failed, and now he would
be homeless, and have to begin tho
world anew. Had Heaven forsaken
him, and given him over to the tender
meIcies of the wicked
After he had left the office, Mr.. Mer
ton could not drive away from his
thoughts the remark to which the poor
man In his grief gave utterance, 81
wish you had to earn your money as !
do mine"
In the midst Of row of figures,
Put yourself in my place" intrpled.
Once after it had crossed his mind
he laid down his pom, saying, We'll |
think l should find it rather hard. l
have q mind to drop in there this after
noon and see how il fares with his fam
lily; that man has aroused my eurios-
ity"
About Eve O'Clock lie put on gray
wig and some olt cast-oT clothes, and
walked to the door. Mira. Bishop, a
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
afforded she then began to make prep
rations for tea.
The old gentleman watched her at
tentively. lie saw there was no elias
ITCHY in her steps, no hope in her
movements, and pity for her began to
steal in her heart When her husband
entered, her features relaxed into "a
smile, and she forced a checfulnsss
into her manner The traveller noted
it all. and WAS forced to admire this
woman who could assume cheerful
ness she did not feel Tor her husband $
sake After the table was prepared.
there was nothing on it but bread and
butter and tea. They invited the
stranger to eat with them, saying, 1--WE
have not much to offer You, but a cup
of tea will refresh you after your long
journey =
He accepted their hospitality. and l..
as they discussed the frugal meal, led
them, without seeming to do 50, to talk
Of their affairs.
al bought this piece OF lnnd.' said
Mr.. Bishop, "at very low price. and
instead Of waiting, as ought t. i,,s.
done, until / saved money enougi u
build, thought would borrow Il few
hundred dollars. The interest on the
money would not be near AS much as
the rent was paying, aud l 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 with
out means to pay the debt. Mr.. DIer-
ton agreed to wait. another year, if |
would pay the interest, which / did.
This year / was for seven months I'M
able to work at my trade and earn any
thing, and, of course, when payday
comes round-and that will be very
soon-I shall be unable to meet the de.
mand."
"But," said the stranger, "will not
Mr.. Merton wait. another year if you
make known tho circumstances to
him y
"NO, sir, "ssaid Mr.. Bishop, 81 saw
him this morning, and he said he must
have the money, and should be obliged
) to foreclose."
"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 mon. Just like the rest
, Of mankind, aud am sure had they
but the faintest idea of what the poor
have to pass through, their hearts and
purses would open. 1t has passed
, into proverb-"Whe poor mar
needs assistance, he should apply tc
the poor" The reason is obvious
Only the poor know the curse of pov
erty. They know how heavily it falls
crushing the heart of man, and Ito us,
my favorite expression) they can a
once put themselves in the unfortunate
ones pace and appreciate his Difficult
ties, and are therefore always ready Il
; render assistance, as far as they ar,
able. If Mr.. Merton had the leas
idea what / and my family had to pas
through, I think he would be willin;
t to wait several years for his none,
rather than distress us"
With what emotion the stranger lis
tened may be imagined. A new worl.