The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-10-31

they had the fainteSt idea Of what the
poor have passed through, their hearts
and purses would open. You know
it has passed ito a proverb, that
when poor man needs assistance he
should apply to the poor. The reason
is obvious. Only the poor know the
curse Of poverty. IfMr. Merton had
the least idea of what | and my fam
lily had to go through, think he
would be willing to wait several
years for his money, rather than dis
trpss us"
With what emotion the stranger
listened may be imagined. A new
world was being opened tD him. He
was passing through an experience
that had never been his before
Shortly after the conclusion of the
meal hearose to take his leave, thank
ing Mr.. and Mrs. Bishop for their
kind hospitality.
Mr.. Merton did not sleep much
that night: he lay awake thinking.
He had received revelation, The
poor had always been associated in
his mind with stupidity and ignoi-
ance, and the first poor family visited
he had found far in advance in intel
Iigence, sympathy and p0liteness Of
the exquisite and fashionable butter
flies of the day.
The next day boy called at the
cottage and left a package in large
blue envelope, directed to Mr.. Bish-
Op.
Mrs. Bishop was very much alarm
ed when she took it, for large blue
envelopes were associated in her
mind with law and lawyers, and she
thought that it bOded no good, She
put it away until her husband came
home from work, when she handed ii
to him.
He opened it in silence, read the
contents, and said ferventiy, "thank
heaven !"
"What is it, John ?" inquired hi,
anxious wife.
Good news, WIFE" replied John
"Such news as l never hoped for ol
ever dreamed of"
"What is it? Tell me quick
want to hear it, if it is anything
good"
"Mr. Merton has cancelled th(
mort rtgage-released me from debt
both interest and principal - anC
says any time | need further assis
tance, if let him know l shall have
/ it,"
"I'm so glad! II puts new life in
to me-" said the happy wife. "Bu
what can have come over him ?"
81 do not know. 1t seems strang
after the way he talked to me yester
day morning. l will 60 right owe
/ to Mr.. 'Ierton's and tell him hoV
happy he has made u.s."
He found Mr. Merton in, and eX
pressed his gratitude in CLOWN!
terms.
"What could have induced you,
he asked, "to show US so much kind
ness ?n
81 followed your suggestion" re
piled Mr.. Merton, "and put mysel
in your place, | expect it will SUI
prise you very much to learn tina
the strange traveller to whom y0
showed 50 much kindness was my
self"
"Indeed I" exclaimed Mr.. Bishop
"Well, it is a good joke-good i
more senses than one. 1t has term
mated very pleasantly for me-"
~ was surprised" "said Mr.. Merton
"at the broad, liberal views you e.
pressed of men and their actions gel
orally. Isupposed | had greatly IL
advantage over you in means and ct
ucation; yet how cramped and narro
have been my views beside your,
That wife of yours is an estimab
: woman, that boy Of yours will be q
honor to any man. | tell you, Bis
op," said the lawyer, becoming al
mated, "yOu are rich-rich beyor
: what money could make you "
have treasures that gold will not bu
Somehow | seem to have lived yea
! since yesterday morning. What
= have learned at your house is more
. me than you owe me, and l am yo
- debtor yet. Hereafter | shall taI
as my motto, put yourself in
!, place, and try to regulate my actic
, by it,"
OII