Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-17
A SOFT ANS w Il Il.
BY r. S. ARTHUR.

on, walking backwards and forwards
n state of angry excitement. sDon'
all harsh names, Mr.. Singleton sale
lawyer Trueman, looking up from the
1ass of papers before him, and smiling
quiet, benevolent way, that was pc
uliar to him. Every man should be
nown by his true name.' Williams
scoundrel, and so he ought to be
allede responded the client, with in,
'eased warmth. Did you ever do a
'asonable thing in your life when you
ere angryP asked Mr.. Trueman,
hose age and responsibility gave him
e license to speak thus freely to his
'ung friend, for whom he was at,
mpting TO arrange some business diff
ulty with former partner. Il can't
ythat ever did, Mr.. Trueman. But
w have good reason for being an
y; and the language | use in refer
ce to Williams is but the expression
a sober and rational conviction,' re-
ed Singleton little more calmly.
id you ever pronounce him a scoun-
Il before you received his replyao
ur last letter 2 asked Mr.. Trueman.
D, | did not. But that letter con-
ned my previously formed impress
n of his character But | cannot
in that letter any evidence proving
lr late partner 10 be dishonest man
lie will not agree to your proposed
dc OF settlement, because he does not
1t to be the most proper way? He
Mt agree TO it, because it is an ho>
and equitable method of settlement,
is all /! He wants to overreach me,
is determined to do so if he can y
bonded Mr.. Singleton, still excited.
ere you are decidedly wrong said
lawyer. you have both allowed
rselves to become angry, and are
unreasonable, and if | must speak
My, | think you the most unrcasona-
in the present case. Two angry
can never settle any business pro-
y. You have very unnecessarily
eased the difficulties in the way of
,dy settlement, by writing Mr.. Will
is an angry letter, which he has re-
ided 10 in like unhappy temper
N V, if | am TO settle this business for
u must write all letters that pass
,nh you TO Mr.. Williams in future.'
ut how can you properly express my
ews and feelings ? That | do not
ish TO do, if your views and feelings
e to remain as they now are, for any
ing like an adjustment of the difficult
IS under such circumstances, ! should
'nsider hopeless replied Mr.. True>
an. well, let me answer this letter,
I'D after that promise you shall have
our own way No, | shall consent
no such thing. 1t is the reply to that
tier which is to modify the negotia-
on for settlement in such a way as
} bring success or failure; and have
idea Of allowing you, in the present
ate of your mind, to write such a one
S will most assuredly defeat an AMIGA
lc arrangement
Singleton paused for some time, be,
ire making reply. He had been for
'me time forming in his mind a most
ltting and bitter rejoinder to the letter
'st alluded to, and he was desirous that
lr Williams should have the benefit Of
moving that he thought him a tricky
nd deliberate scoundrel,' with other
pinions of similar character. He
'und it, therefore, impossible to make
p his mind to let the unimpassoned
lr. Trueman write this most important
pistle. Indeed must write this let
,r, Mr.. Trueman,' he said, there are
ONE things that want to say to him,
nat | know you won't write. You
ont seem to consider the position in
which he has placed me by that letter,
or what is obligatory upon me as a
nan of honor. | never allow any man
0 reflect upon me, directly or indirect.
y, without prompt response There
S in the Bible said Mr.. Trueman, "a
passage peculiarly applicable to the pre-
'ent case. 1t is this, A soft answer tur.
leth away wrath, but grievous word:
iir up anger. | have found this pre-
:ept, in a life that has numbered more
han double your years. 10 be one thai
nay be safely and honorably adopted
n all cases. You blame Mr.. William.
or writing YOU All angry letter, and art
indignant at certain expressions con
tained therein. Now, is it any mor'
right for you to write an angry letter
with cutting epithets, than it is for him
.But Mr.. Trueman-- u do assur
YOU, my young friend said the lawye
interrupting him, that am acting
hi. case for your benefit and not m