Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1841-03-25
MSSCeEE(yale0aES.
From the Lady's Book for February.
THE SOFT ANSWER.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

of angry excitement.
DON'T call harsh names, Mr.. Single
ION, said lawyer Trueman. looking up
from the mass of papers before him, and
smiling, in 7uiet benevolent way, that
was peculiar 10 him.
Every man should be known by his
true name. Williams is a scorudrel, and
so he ought 10 he calledn responded the
Client with increased warmth
Did you ever do reasonable thing in
your life, when you were angry 2 asked
Mr.Truman, whose age and responsibility
gave him the license to speak thus freely
to his young friend, for whom he was en-
deavoring TO arrange some business diff
Guilty with former partner.
i cant say that ! ever did, Mr.. True
man. But now | have good reason for
being angry; and The language | use in
reference to Williams is bur The expression
oc sober and rational convi' ton, replied
Singleton, little more calmly.
Did you pronounce him scoundrel
before you received his reply TO your last
letter?' askeI Mr.. Truemau.
No, did no. But that leIcr con-
frmed my previously formed Impressions
of his character
Bu / cannon find in that letter any evil
dence proving your Iale partner to be "A
dishonest man. He will nor agree 10 your
prop ,serl mode Of settlement, because he
dues not see it 10 be the most proper way
4 He Won, agree To it because il is an
honest aud equitable method ofselt!emrnt
-Jrfat is al1l He wants to oprreach me,
and is determined to do il if he can = res
ponded Mr.. Singleton. still excited.
There you are decidedly wrong said
the lawyen You have both allowed
yourselves TO become angry, and are both
unreasonable; aud, if | may speak plain
Iy, think you the most unreasonable in
The present case. Two angry men can
never settle business properly. You !. -,
very unnecessarily increased The diffic
ties ia the way Of a speedy settlement,
writing Mr. Williams an angry lein
which he has responded 10 in a ike-u
.BaqilYs tetppe at'asseI1
iIiis businrss for ynn. must write all le
rers that pass TO Mr.. William in fnlurc.'
But how eau YOU properly express III.
views and feeings!'
That do not wish 10 do. If your view.
and feelings are TO remain as they are {;
for any thing like An adjustment of the
should consider hnpeess,' replied Mr..
Trueman.
I well, let me answer :his letter. and
after thar. I promise that you shall have
your own way
No, | shall consent 10 no such thing.
II is the reply to that leller which is to
modify the nesociaiou for a settlement in
such way AS 10 bring success or failure !;
aud have no itlea of allowing you, in he
present slate Of your mind. to write such
a one as will most assuredly deiealan am
cahIe arrangement.
Singleton paused snme time, before ma
king reply. lie had hccn forming in
his lnind most cutting and hitter reioin.
der to the letter uSt alluded TO, AMI he
was very dcsirons tina, Mr.. Williams
should have the benefit of knowing HAT he
though, him Il "ricky and deliberate
scoum,lrel." with nlher opinions of a sini-
lar character. lie found it therefore, I'M
D>sible To make up his mind o let the I'M.
npassioned Ar. Truenau write lIIis i'm
portant epislle.
Indeed | must write his letter. Mr.
Trueman,' he said; '1herr ure sn'rr things
that want TO say TO him. that know you
won, write. YOU don't consider lhn posi-
ton in which he has placed me by that
letter, nor what is obligatory upon me, as
man of honor. never allow any man
to reflect upon me, directly or indirectly,
without a prompt response
There is. in the Bible said Mr.. True
man, "a apasSage that is peculiarly applica-
bile in the present case. II is this: 4
SO ans,cer 'urneth a'r0y 'crutt, INT .grier.
Gus ,rords STIR up anger" have found
this preccpt, in life That has numbered
more than double your years, 10 he one
that may be safely and hdhor;lbly adopt
ed, in all cases. You blaine Mr.. Williams
for writing you an angry letter, and are
indignant at certain expressions contained
therein. Now, is ii any more right for you
to write an angry letter, with cutting epl-
rhets, than it is for him 2
But, Mr.. Trueman--'
Il do assure yoni my young friend,
said The lawyer, interruptius him, that |
am acting in this case for your beneft and
not my own; and as your legal adviser,
you must submit To my judgment, or ]
caDuot consenr To go on.'
If will promise not 10 use any harsh
language. will you MOI consent 10 lc, me
write the letter 2 urged the client.
You aud and |, in the present state Of
your mind, could not possibly come 10 the
same conclusion in reference 10 wha, is
harsh and what is MIDI said Mr.. True
man; therefore | cannon consent that
you shall write one word Of The proposed
reply. ! must write it,
We'll. J. suppose then. shall have TO
submit. When will it be ready?'
Come this afternoon, aud will give
you the draft, which you can copy and
sign
IL tho afternoon, Mr., Singleton came,