Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-10-17

SELECT STORY.
HIS BROTHER MAN.
A Story Of Ararice that uas Cured.

have my money, and II you cannot
pay it. | must ioreclose the mortgage
and sell the place." said MIR. Dier-
ton.
"in that case" said Mr., Bishop, sit
will be sold at Il great sacrifice, and
after all the struggles have made,
my family will be homeless. 1t is
hard. / only wish you had to earn
your money as ! DO mine-you might
then know something of the life of Il
poor man. If you could only in
Imagination put yourseIfin my place,
think you would have little
mercy on me-"
''lt is useless talking; | extended
this one year, and | can do so no
longer replied Mr.. Merton, as he
turned to his desk and continued
writing.
The poor man rose to his feet and
walked sadly out OF Mr.. Merton S Of
flee. He had just swallowed up the
means which he had intended to
make the last payment on his house.
True, Mr.. Merton had waited one
year, when he had failed to meet the
demand, owing to sickness in the
family, aud he felt very much obliged
to him for doing so, This year he
had been laid up seven months, dur
ing which time he could earn
nothing, and all his savings were
needed for The support of his family.
Again he failed, and now AGAIN he
would be homeless and have TO begin
the world anew Had heaven for
sakcn him and gwen him over to the
tender ,ncrcieS OF the wicked
After he had left the office, Mr.
Merton could not drive away thoughts
to which the poor man IN his grief
had given utterance, 81 wish you had
to earn your money as | do mine"
In the midst of row of figures,
''put yourself in my place" intruded.
Once, after it had crossed his mind,
he laid down his pen aid SAID, We'll,
| think | should find it rather hard.
| have Il mind to drop in this after
noon and see how it fares with his
family; that man has aroused my
curiosity"
About five O'Clock he put on Il
gray wig and some old cast-otf clothes
and walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop,
a pale, wcary-looklng woman opened
it, The poor old man requested per-
mission to enter and rest awhile, say
ing that he was tired with his long
journey, for lie had walked many
miles that day.
The old gentleman watched her
attentiyely. lie saw there was no
elasticity IN her step; no hope i'll her
movements, and pity for her had be-
gun to steal into his heart. When
her husband entered, the features re-
laXed into Il smile, and she forced Il
cheerfulness into her manner. The
Traveller noted it all, and was forced
inyoIuntari!y to admire this woman,
who could assume 4 cheerluIness she
could not feel, for her husbands sake.
After the table Was prepared, there
was nothing on it but bread and but
ter 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"
He accepted their hospitality, and
as they discussed their frugal meal,
led Them, without seeming 10 do so,
to talk of their affairs.
q bought this piece Of land" said
Mr.. Bishop, sat Il very low price, and
instead Of waiting until | had money
enough to build, as | ought to have
done, | thought | would borrow IL
few hundred dollars. The interest
on the money would not be near us
much us the rent | was paying, and |
would be saving something by it, !
did not think there would be any
difficulty III paying back the money,
but the first year my wife and one Of
my children were i'll, and the expense
left me without means to pay the
debt. Mr.. Merton agreed to wait
another year if | would pay the in
terest, which did This year | was
for seven months unable to work al
my trade and earn anything, and. of
course when the pay day comes
arounG-and that will be very soon
i shall be unable TO meet the de-
mand.'
Gut" said the stranger" "will