St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-16
Put Yourself In My Place."
WHAT CAME OF DOING so.

'T cannot wait any longer. | must
have my money, and if you cannot pay
it must fOreclOse the mortgage and
sell the place." said Mr.. Morton.
'In that case" said Mr.. Bishop, E'it
will, of course, be sold at a great sac
rifice, and after all the struggles have
made, my family will again be home
less. 1t is very hard. | only wish
yOu had to earn your money us | dc
mine yOu might then know something
of the hard life of poor man. If you
could, only in imagination, put your
self in my place, | think you would
have little mercy on me-"
at is useless talking | extended
this one wear, and | can do SO nc
longer" replied Mr.. Morton, as he
turned to his desk and cOntir ued writ
ing.
The poor man rose from his seat and
walked sadly out of Mr.. MOrtOn's office
His last hope was gone. He had just
recovered 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..
Morton had waited one year when he
had failed to meet the demand, owing
to illness in his family, and he had
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 then 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 wicked9
After he had left the office, Mr.. Nor
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 a row of figures,
put yourself in my place" intruded.
Once after it had crossed his mind
he laid down his pen, saying: "Well,
| think | should find it rather hard.
! have a mind TO drop in there this after
noon, and see how it fares with his
family; that man has reused my curl
osity."
About five o'clock he put on gray
wig and some old cast-off clothes,
| walked to the residence of Mr.. Bishop,
and knocked at the door. Mrs. Bish-
| op, IA pale, weary looking woman,
| opened it. The poor old man request
ed 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
preparations for tea.
The old gentleman watched her at
/ tentively. He saw there was no elias
ticity in her step, no hope in her move
/ ments, and pity for her began to steal
entered, her features relaxed into a
smile, and she forced a cheertulness
into her manner. The traveller noted
it all, and he was forced to admire this
| woman who could assume a cheerful
ness she did not feel, for her husbands
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
cup of tea will refresh you after yOul
long journey"
He accepted their hospitality, and
as they discussed the frugal meal, led
| them, without seeming TO do so, to talh
of their affairs.
Il bought this piece of land" saiC
Mr.. Bishop, Eat a very low price, anC
instead of waiting, as | ought to have
done, until | saved the money to build
| thought | would borrow few hund
red dollars. The interest on the money
would not be near as much as the rem
| was paying, and | would be saving
something by it. did not think there
would be any difficulty in paying bach
the money; but the first year my wife
and one of my children were i'll, anC
the expense left me without means tC
pay the debt. Mr.. Morton agreed tC
wait another year if | would pay the
interest, which did. This year | wa,
fQT seven months unable to work at my
trade and earn anything, and of cours,
when payday comes round-and tina
will be very sOOn-I shall be unable t,
meet the demand"
But" said the stranger, "will no
Mr.. Morton wait another year if yoI
make all the circumstances known t,
him :"
mo, SIR" replied Mr.. Bishop 81 saw
him this morning, and he said he mus
have the money and should be obliged
to foreclOse."
"He must be very hard:hearted," re
marked the traveller.
''Not necessarily So" remarked MI
Bishop. "The fact is, these rich mel
know nothing of the struggles of tn
' poor. They are men just like the res
\ of mankind, and am sure if they ha'
but the faintest idea of what the poo
have to pass through, their hearts AM
purses would open. You know it ha
passed into proverb when a poo
man needs assistance he should appl
!. to the poor The reason is ObviOu,