Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-05-15
AT.AWYER's DISGUISE


LAWYERS DISGUISE.
81 cannot wait any longer. I must
have my money; and if you cannot pay
it must foreclOse the mortgage and
sell the place." said Mr.. Merton.
I'm that case it will of course be sole
at great sacrifice, and after all thu
struggles have made, my family will
again be homeless. 1t is very hard.
only wish you had to earn your money
as do mine; you might then know some.
thing of the hard life of poor man. Ii
Won could only, in imagination, put
Yourself in my place, 1 think you would
have little mercy on me-, said MI
Bishop.
at is useless talking extended the
time one year, and can do so no long
err" replied Mr.. Merton, as he turned to
his desk and continued his writing.
The Door man rose from his seat and
went sadly out of Mr.. MertOn's Office
his last hope gone. He had just recOv.
cred from a long illness, which had
swallowed up all the means, with which
he had intended to make the last pay
ment upon his house. True, that gen
tleman had waited one year, when ne
failed to meet the demand, owing 10 III
ness in his family. and he had felt very
much obliged to him for doing so. This
year he had been laid up for several
months, during which he could earn moth
ing, and all of his savings were then
needed fOrithe support of his family.
After he had left the Office, Mr.. Merton
could not drive away from his thoughts
that remark to which the poor man in
his grief had given utterance. Il wish
you had to earn your money as L do
mine."
In the midst of row of figures, "Put
yourself i'm my place." would intr1de.
Once after it had crossed his mind, he
laid down his pen, saying. well, lthlnk
| should End it rather hard. l have a
mind to drop i'm there this afternoon and
see how it fares with the family. The
man has aroused my curiosity.
About five o'clock he put on gray
wig, and some old, worn, cast-Of clothes,
walked to the residence of Mr.. Bishop.
and knocked at the door. Mrs. Bishop, a
pale, weary looking woman, opened 1t;
and the poor old man requested permits
sion to enter and rest awhile. saying he
was tired with his long journey, for he
had walked many miles that day.
Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him In.
AMI gave hin the best seat the room Of
fered. She then began to make prepar-
ations for tea. After the table was pre-
pared, there was nothing upon 1T 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 be refreshing after your
long journey.
He accepted their hospitality, and as
they discussed the frugal meal he led
them, without seeming to do so, to talk
of their affairs.
Il bought this piece of land" said Mr..
Bishop, lat avery low price; and instead
of waiting. as ought to have done, until
/ had saved the money to build, thought
/ would borrow two hundred dollars.
The interest on the money would not be
nearly as much as the rent was paying,
and thus should be saving something
by doing it. did not think there would
be any difficulty i'll paying back the Dor
rOwed money; but the first year my wife
and one of the children were I'LL, and
the expenses left me without the means
to pay the debt. Mr.. Merton agreed to
wait another year if would pay the in
terest. did that. This year l was ill
for seven months, unable to work at my
trade and earn anything; and of course
when pay day comes around, and that is
very soon. / shall be unable to meet the
demand"
But" said the stranger, will not Mr..
Merton wait another year, if you make
all the circumstances known to him?"
mo. SIR replied Mr.. Bishop; II saw
him this morning, and he said he must
have his money, and should be obliged to
fOreclOse."
He must be very hard-hearted," re-
piled the stranger.
"Not necessarily sO," replied Mr.
Bishop. "The fact is, these rich men
know nothing of the struggles of the
DOOR; and if Mr.. Merton had the least
idea of what and my family have to
pass through, think he would be viii.
ling to wait several years for his money
rather than distress u.s."
George Bishop. bright eyed boy OF
ten. had up to this time sat listening
very attentively. Now his eyes sparkled
and he said: II hope one day shall be
a rich man and Mr.. Merton poor man
and come to me just as my father went
to him this morning..
"Why, George, what an idea?' said thu
mother; "and what would you do In sucf
a caSeY'
Il would say" said the boy. 81 am rict
and have plenty of money, and | can al
ford to give you that amount. 1t is M
more than spend in the course OF yea
on dresses and jackets for my wife, ant
if YOU want any more help let me know
and you shall have it"
"Why, George" said his mother, laugh
ing, you would be very magnanlmOus,
but would you really buy your wife sucf
expensive jewelry and dressesT
Now, mother" said George, 1T IS
fact that Mr.. Merton does buy just such
expensive things. | know he does
while we can get hardly enough to eat.
With what emotions the stranger list
ened may be imagined. A new world
was being opened TO him. He was pass
ing through an experience that wa:
never his before. Just after the con
clusion of the meal he arose to take his
leave, thanking Mr.. and Mrs. Bishop fol
their kind hospitality. They invited
him to stay all night, telling him N
was welcome to such as they had. :,
He thanked them and said; Il VII
trespass on your kindness no longer.
think can reach the next village befor'
dark, and be so much further on m.
journey" - = q