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

NO, slf, replleu MI. DlSnOp. II
saw him this morning and he must
have the money"
"He must be very hard hearted"
remarked the traveller.
Not necessarily So replied Mr..
Bishop. "The fact is. these rich
men know nothing about the strug-
giles of the poor. They are men just
like the rest Of mankind, and | am
sure if they had the faintest ldea OF
what the poor have passed through,
their hearts and purses would open.
You know it has passed into II pro-
verb, that when poor man needs as
sistance he should apply to the poor.
The reason is obvious. Only the poor
know the curse Of poverty. If Sir.
Merton had the least idea of what |
and my family had to go through, l
think he would be willing to wait
several years for his money, rather
than distress u.s."
With what emotion the stranger
listened, may be imagined. A new
world was being opened to him. He
was passing through an experience
that had never been his before.
Shortly after the conclusion of the
meal he arose 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.
lie had received a revelation. The
poor had always been associated in
his mind with stupidity and ignor-
ance, and the first poor family visited
he had found far in advance in intel
ligence, sympathy and politeness Of
the exquisite and fashionable butter
flies of the day,
The next day a boy called at the
cottage and left u package in a 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 BODIED no good. She
put it away until her husband came
home from work, when she handed it
to him.
He opened it in silence, read tie
contents, and said fervently, "thank
heaven!'
"What Is it, John ?" inquired his
anxious wife.
"Good news, wife," replied John.
"Such news as | never hoped for or
ever dreamed Of"
"N-hat is it? Tell me quick-I
want to hear it, if it is anything
good"
"Mr. Merton has cancelled the
mortgage--releasel ne from debt,
both interest and principal-and says
any time | need further assistance, if
[ let him know ! shall have it."
"i'm so glad! 1t puts new life
into me-" said the happy wife. "But
what can have come over him."
81 do not know, 1t seems strange
after the way he talked to ne yester-
day morning. | will 90 right over
to Mr.. Merton's and tell him how
happy he has made US
lie found Mr.. Merton III, and ex'
pressed his gratitude in glowing
terms.
"What could have induced you,"
he asked, 'to show us so rauch kind
ness -
81 followed your suggestion" re-
piled MIR. Merton, ''and put myself
in your pla"e. | expect it will sur
prise you very much to learn that the
strange traveller to whom you show
ed SO much kindness was myself
"IndeedD' exclaimed Mr. Bishop.
"Well, it is a good iokc-good in
more senses than one. 1t has ter
minated very pleasantly for me-"
Il was surprised" said Mr.. Mer-
ton, cat the broad, liberal views you
expressed Of men and their actions
generally. l supposed I had greatly
the advantage over you in means
and education yet how cramped and
narrow have been my views beside
yours. That wife Of yours is an es-
tmnable woman, and that boy of yours
will be an honor to any man. | tell
You, Bishop" said the lawyer, be-
coming animated, "you are rich-rich
beyond what money could make you
You have treasures that gold will not
buy. Somehow | seem to have