The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1882-10-13
PUT YOURSELF In MY
PLACE.
Or the Way q Rich Man Visited
the Poor.

81 cannot wait any longer. j
must have my money, aud IT you
cannot pay it, must toreclose the
mortgage aud sell the place. said
Mr. Merton.
"In that case,r said Mr.. Bishop
ait will, of course, be sold at a
great sacrifice; and, after all the
struggles I have made, my family
will again be homeless. IL is hard.
/ only wish you had TO earn your
money as | do mine, you might
then know something of the lite OF
a poor man. If you could, only in
Imagination, put yourself IN my
place, | think you would have a
little mercy on me-"
at is useless talking; extend
ed this one year, aud | can do so
no longer replied Mr.. Merton, as
he turned to his desk and continu.
ed writing.
The poor man rose from his seat
and walked sadly out of Mr.. Mer-
toms office. His last hope was
gone. lie had just recovered from
a long illness, which had swallow.
ed ND the means with which he had
intended to make the last pay
| ment Oh his house. True, MIR. Mer-
ton had waited one year, when he
failed to meet the demand, owing
to illness in his family, and he had
felt very much obliged to him tor
| doing so. This year he bad been laid
ND tor several months, during
which time he could earn nothing,
aud all his saving were then need
| ed for the support of his family.
Again he failed, aud now he would
again be homeless, aud have to be-
gin the wo,ld anew. Had heaven
forsakeu him, and given him over
| to the tender mercy of tbe.wicked ]
After he had left the office, Mr.
Merton could not drive away from
his thoughts, the remark to which
the poor man in his grief gave ut
terance, al wish you had to earn
your money as do mine.'
In the midst of row of figures
"put yourself in my place" intrud-
ed.
Once after II crossed his mind,
hs laid down his pen, and said.
Well think | should find it rath-
er hard. | have a mind to drop in
there this afternoon, and see how 1t
iares with his family |; that man has
aroused my curiosity"
| About FIVE o'clock he put on a
gray wig and some old cast of
clothes aud walked to the door.
Mrs. Bishop, pale, weary looking
woman, opened it. The poor old
man requested permission to enter
aud rest a while, saying be was
very tired with his long journey
for he had walked many miles that
day.
The old gentleman watched hel
attentively. He saw there was nc
elasticity in her step, no hope III
her movements, and pity tor hel
began to steal into his heart. When
her husband entered, the features
relaxed into her manuer. The trav
eler noted it all, and was forced tc
admire this woman WHO could as
sume cheerfuluess she could moi
feel for husbands sake. After the
table was prepared there was moth
| ing on it but bread aud butter aud
ten. They invited the stranger to ea,
with them saying; "We have moi
much to offer you, but cup of tea
will refresh you after your long jour
ney.n
He accepted their hospitality, and
as they discussed the frugal meal
led them, without seeming to do so
to talk OF their affairs.
IL bought this piece of land, ,hsaid
Mr.. Bishop, "at very low figure,
and instead of waiting, until | had
the mouey to build as ought IL
have done, thought that | would
borrow "a few hundred dollars. The
interest on the meney would not
be near as much as the rent | was
paying, aud would be saving some
thing by it, l did not think there
} would be any difficulty in paying
back the money, but that year, my
wife anu Que of my children were
i'll, and the expense left me without
means to pay tue debt. Mr.. Mer
ton agreed to wait another year
If | would pay the interest, which
| did. This year l was for sever
months unable to work at my trade
aud earn anything, aud, Of course
when pay day comes round -ant
that will he very soon--I shall b'
unable to meet the demaud.'
"Bat said the stranger, "will no
Mr.. Merton wait another year, /
!, YOU make all the circumstances
known to him 7"
"No, ,sir,p replied Mr.. Bishop; 81
saw hiin this morning,and be musl
have the money, and should bs
obliged to foreclose.'