The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1879-04-03

aud siier al the struggles J have made,
my family will be homeless Il IL hard.
! only wish you bad TO earn your money
As ! do miBc--you might then know
something Of the life Of poor msn. II
you could only ia imagination put your
self 10 my place, tbiuk sou would have
little mercy on me.
Il Is useless talking; ! extended this
one year aud | cas- do 80 no longer, re-
piled Mr. Merton, az be turned 10 his
desk aud continued writing.
The poor man rose from bis scat aud
walked sadly ont OF Mr.. Merton's office.
His last hope was gone. lie bad just
recovered from long illness, which bad
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 be bad failed to
meet the demand, owing TO sickness in
bis family, aud he felt very much obliged
TO him for doing so, This year be had
been laid up for seven months, during
which time be could earn nothing, and
all his savings were needed tor lhe sup.
port Of bis family. Again be failed, and
now be 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 wickedg
A gfar ha haI g,f. III Ell Ne
could not drive away from him thoughts
to which the poor man la bis grief had
given ntleranee. | wish you had to earn
your money as do mine.
Ia the midst of row OF figures, put
yourself Ia my place inlruded.
OUce after 1t tad crossed bis mind, he
laid down his pen, and said, Well, |
think | should find IL rather hard. have
mind 10 drop in this afternoon, aud see
bow IL fares with his family; that mau
has aroused my curiosity.
About five O'Clock he put on gray
wig, and some old, cast of clothes, aud
walked to the door. Mrs Bishop, pale,
weary looking woman, opened IL. The
poor old man requested permission TO
enter and rest awhile, saying be was very
tired with his long journey, for he had
walked many miles that day.
The old gentleman watched her auen-
lively. He saw there was no elasticity ia
her step, no hope 10 her movements, aud
pity for her began to steal over bis heart.
Whom her husband entered the features
relaxed into smile, aud she forced
cheerfuness into her manner The
traveller noted II all, and was forced to
admire this woman who could assume
chseriulness she e0nld not feel for her
husbands sake. After the table was
prepared, there was nothing on il but
bread aud 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.
lie 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 bad money enough to
build, as ought to hsve done, ! 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 money by it. !
did not think there would be any difficult
ty in paying back the money, but the first
year my wife and one of the children
were III, and the expense left rue without
means TO pay the debt. Mr.. Merton
agreed 10 wait another year If | would
pay the interest, which did. This year
! was for seven months unable TO work
at my trade aud earn anything, aud, Of
course, when pay day comes around
aud that will be very soon-I shall be un-
able TO meet The demand.
But, said the stranger, will not Mr..
Merton wait another year, If you make
all the circumstances known to himS
No, sir, replied Mr.. Bishop, saw him
this morning, aud he must have the
money.
lie must be very hard hearted, remark
ed the traveller
Not necessarily so, replied Mr.. Bishop.
The fac, is, these rich men know nothing
Of tie struggles Of The poor. They are
men just like the rest OF mankind, and
am sure that II they had but The fain,est
idea what The poor have TO pass through
their hearts and purses would open. You
know il has passed into proverb, when
poor mau needs assistance be should
apply to the poor. The reason is obvious.
Only the poor know the cause Of poverty.
II Mr. Merton had the least idea Of what
aud my family had TO 90 through,
thlnk be would be willing TO wait several
years for his money rather than distress
Us.
With what emotion the stranger listen.
ed may be imagined. A new world was
being opeoed TO him. lie was passing
through an experience that bad never
been his before Shortly after the co.,
clusion Of the meal be arose TO take bic
leave, thanking Mr.. aud Mrs. Bishop for
their Kind hospitality.
Ar. Merton did not sleep much that
night; be lay Aw axe thinking. lie bad
received new fevelAtion.-The poor
bad always been associated 10 bis mind
with stupidity and ignorance, aud the
arsi poor family he had found far In ad-
vapoe, in Intelligence, sympathy sDd po-
liteBess, OF the exquisite and fashionable
f - "a. a. al A