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

haye my money and if yon cannot
pay It, / must foreclose the spertgage
and sell the place. = said Mr.. Mer-
tan.
In that case. = said Mr.. Bishop,
1T will be sold at a great sacrifice,
EaFld after all the hard struggles I've
rsafle, my family will be homeless.
It is hard. only wish yon had to
essrn your money as do mine-you
might then know something Of the
life ofa poor man. Ifyou could only
II Imagination put yourself in my
Place, think you would have little
mercy on me.
1T Is useless talking; Iextended
this one year, and / can do SO no
longer replied Mr.. Mertens as he
10 his desk and eAnfinued
Tie poor man rose to his feet and
walked sadly out of Mr.. Merton'S of
flee. He had Just swallowed up the
meals which he had intended to
rnakethe 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, and he felt very much obliged
to him fer doing so. This year he
had been laid up seven months, dur
ing which time he could earn moth
ing, 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 anew.
Had heaven fOrsaken him and given
him over to the tender mercies of the
wicked?
After he had left the Office. Mr..
Merton could notdriveaway 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 a row of figures
'put yourself in my place." in
truded.
Once, after it had crossed his mind
he laid down his pen and said, swell,
think | should find it rather hard.
I haye a mind to drop in this after
noon and see how it fares with his
family; that man has aroused my
curiosity"
AbOlt five o'clock he put on q
gray wig and sCSe' old cast of clothes
and walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop
p&le, Weary-Iooking 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 he had walked many
miles that day.
The old gentleman watched her at
tentively. He saw there was no elias
ticity in her step; no hope in hel
movements, and pity for her had be
gun to steal into his heart. Wher
her husband entered, the features re
aXed into a smile, and she forced {
cheerfuIness into her manner. Tht
traveller noted it all, and was forced
inyoIuntarly to admire this woman
who could assume cheerfulness sh
could not feel, for her husbands sake
After the table was prepared, ther
was nothing on it but bread and but
ter and tea. They invited the stran
ger to eat with them saying: "W
have not much to offer you, but Gu
of tea will refresh you after your Ion
Journey
He accepted their hospitality, an
as they discussed their frugal mea
led them, without seeming to do Sc
to talk of their affairs,
Il bought this piece OF Iand," sal
Mr.. Bishop, lat very low prce,a
instead of waiting until had none
enough to build, as l ought to haN
done, / thought | would borrow
few hundred dollars. The intere
on the money would not be near
much as the rent [ was paying, an
I would be saving something by
| diti not think there would be an
difficulty about paying back Il
money, but the first year my WI
and one of my children were i'll, al
the expense left me without means
=. pay the debt. Mr.. Merton agreed
y wait another year if | would pay Il
d interest, which l did. This year
e was for seven months unable to Wo
20 at my trade and earn anything, an
sc of course when the pay day comes
,e and that will he very soon-l shall
unable to meet the demand"
d. "But," said the stranger, "will r
Mr.. Merton wait another year if I
y the circumstances are made known
him?"
"No, sir" replied Mr.. Bishop.
I. saw him this morning and he M
Sc haye the money"
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