Year: 1878

go cannot wait any longer, 7
must have my money, and il you can't
pay it. | must foreclose the mortgage
and sell the place, ," said Mr.. Mer-
ton.


In that case said Mr.. Bishop. it
will Of course, be sold at great sacri-
flee and, after all the struggles l have
made. my family will te again home
less. 1t is hard. l only wish you had
to earn your mouey as do mine you
might then know something of the
hard life of poor man. If you could,
only in imagination, put yourself in my
place. think you wsuld have little
mercy on me-


1t is useless talking. ! extended
this one year, and l can do so no
longer replied Mr. Merton, as be re-
turned t. his desk and continued to
write.


The poor AN rose from his seat and
walked sadly out OF MrMerton's office
His last hope was gone. He had
just rc)vered from q long illness,
which had swallowed up the means
with which he had intended to make
the last payment on his house. True,
Mr.. Merton had waited one year, when
ne had failed to meet the demand.
on account of illness in his family, and
he had felt very much obliged to him
tor 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 sup
port OF his family Again he failed,
and now he would again be homeless,
and have to begin the world anew.
Had Heaven for aken him, and given
him over to the mercy of the wicked ?


After he had left the Office. Mr.. Mer-
ton could not drive away from his
thoughts the remark to which tto poor
man in his grief had given uttcrance:
i wish you had to earn your money as
do mine


In the midst of row of figures, put
yourself in my place iutruded. Once
after it had crossed his mind, he laid
down his pen. saying: Well, l think
| | should find it rather hard. / Eave a
mind to drop in there this afternoon,
and see how it fares with his family;
that man has aroused my curiosity
! About five O'Clock he put on gray
wig and some old cast off clothes, aud
walked TO the door Mrs Bishop,
pale, weary looking woman, opened 1t.
The poor old man requested permission
to enter and rest while, saying he
was very tired with his long journey,
for he bad 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
elasticity in her step, nc hope in her
movements, aud pity for her began to
settle in his heart. When her husband
entered her features relaxed into q
smile, and she forced cheerfulness in
TO her manner. The traveller noted it
all, AID was forced to admire the wo-
man, who could assume q cheerfulness
she did not feel, for her husbands saAe.
After the table was prepared, there
was nothing on it but bread and butter
and ten. 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 the frugal meal, led
them, without seeming to do so, to
talking of their affairs.


| 4 bought this piece of land said
Mr. Bishop, at very low price. and
instead of waiting. as ought to have
done, until saved the money to build,
/ thought wonld borrow few hun
dred dollars. The interest on the mon
ey would not be near as much as the
rent / was paying. and would be saw
ing something by it, ! did not think
there would be any difficulty in pay
ing back the money; but the first year
nv wife and one of my children were
i'll, aud the expense left me without
money to pay the debt. Mr.. Merton
agreed to wait another year if / would
pay the interest, which / did. This
! year was for seven months unable to
work at my trade and earn anything.
and, of course, when payday comes
round-and that will he very sooa--I
shall be unable to meet the demand


But. said the stranger. will not Mr..
Merton wait another year. if you MAKE
all the circumstances known to him I


No. SIR replied Mr.. Bishop; i saw
him this morning, and he said he must
have the money, and should be obliged
to foreclosc.'


He must be very hard-hearted ? re-
marked the traveller


Not necessarily so.' replied Mr..
| Bishop. The fact is, these rich men
know nothing Of the struggle OF the
poor. They are meu, just like the rest
of mankind, and am sure that If they
had but the feintest idea Of what the
poor have to pass through. their hearts
and purses would open. You know 1t
has passed into proverb: When q
poor man needs assistance, be should
apply to the poor The reason is ob
vious. Only the poor know the curse
of poverty. They know how heavily
it falls, crushing the heart of man, and
Ito use my favorite expression) they
can at once put themselves ia ones
place aud appreciate his cificnlties,
and are therefore always ready to ren-
der assistance, as far as they are able.
II Mr.. Merton had the least idea what
/ and my family had to pass through,
/ think he would be willing 10 wait
several years for his money rather
thsn distress Us. 80.


With what emotion the stranger listen
cd may be imagined. A new world
WAS being opened to him. be was