The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-04
SCELLAN EOUS.
us.aa 5s Ea From the Lady's Book.
THE SOFT A ANSWE r.
t aa3 BY +. S. ARTHUR.

walking backwards and forwards, IN a
state Of angry excitement.
Don't call harsh names, Mr.. Single
ton, said Lawyer Trueman, looking up
from the mass of papers before him, and
smiling, in quiet benevolent way, that
was peculiar to him.
/. "Every man should be known by his
true name. Williams is scoundrel, and
so he ought to be called !" responded the
client, with increased warmth.
"Did you ever do reasonable thing in
your life, when you were angry" asked
Mr. Trueman, whose age and respecta-
biity gave him the license to speak thus
freely to his young friend, for whom he
was endeavoring to arrange some business
difficulty with a former partner.
g can't say that ever did, Mr.. True
man. But now, have good reason for
being angry !; and the language use in re-
ference to Williams is But the expression
of sober and rational conviction" replied
Singleton, a little more calmly.
"Did you, pronounce him scouhdrel
before you received his reply to your last
letter, " asked Mr. Trueman.
.sNo, did not. But that letter confirm
ed my previously formed impressions Of his
character" f!t. M
,oass But cannot find in that letter any evi-
dence proving your late partner TO be a dis
honest man. He will not agree to your pro-
posed mode of settlement, because he does
not see it to be the most proper way. :"
/ &c He won't agree to il, because it is an
honest and equitable method Of settlement,
that is all He wants to overreach me, and
is determined to do so ifhe can" /" respond
ed Mr.. Singleton, still excited.
Il /" There you are decidedly wrong, said
the lawyer. g You have both allowed your,
selves to become angry,and are both un-
reasonable, and, if ! must speak plainly, ]
think you the most unreasonable in the pre-
sent case. Two angry men can never set
tie any business properly. You have very
unnecessarily increased the difficulties in
the way Of speedy settlement, by writ
ing Mr.. Williams an angry letter, which he
has responded TO in like unhappy temper.
Now, if am to settle this business foryou,
must write all letters that pass to Mr..
Williams in future"
ssBut how can you properly express my
views and feelings I"
!" That do not wish to do, if your views
and feelings are to remain as they now are,
for any thing like an adjustment OF the diff
ficulties under such circumstances, should
consider hopeless, replied Mr.. Trueman.
Well, let me answer this letter, and af-
ter that, | promise that you shall have your
own way" 1
"No, ] shall consent TO no such thing.
1t is the reply to hat letter which is to mo-
dify the negotiation for a settlement in such
way as to bring success or failure and i
have no idea of allowing you, in the present
state of your mind, to write such a one as
will most assuredly defeat an amicable ar
rangement.
Singleton paused for some time, before
making reply. He had been forming in
his mind most cutting and bitter rejoinder
to the letter Just alluded to, and be was
very desirous that Mr.. Williams should
have the benefit ofknowing that he thought
him az tricky and deliberate scoundrel, "
with other opinions of similar character.
He found it, therefore, impossible to make
up his mind to let the unimpassioned Mr..
Trueman write this most important eplstle.
Il 6 Indeed ! must write this letter, Mr..
iTrueman,D he said "There are some
things that i want to say to him, that j
know you won't write. You don't seem
to consider the position in which he has
placed me by that letter, nor what is obli-
,gatory upon me as a man of honor. ne
yer allow any man,to reflect upon me, di-
rectly or indirectly, without prompt re-
sponse."
" There is, in the Bible, said Mr.. True
man, passage that is perfectly applica-
BILE ia the present case, 1t is this "a soft
answer turneh aaoay ,crath, bm grierous
aDords SIR up anger. have found this pre-
cept, in life that has numbered more than
double your years, to be one that may be
safely and honorably adopted, in all cases
You blame Mr.. Williams for writing you
an angry letter, and are indignant at certain
expressions contained therein. Now, is it
any more right for you to write an angry
letter, with cutting epithets, than it is for
him 4"
"But, Mr.. Trueman---"
Z" do assure you, my young trend,
said the lawyer, nterrupting him, +" that
i am acting in this case for your benefit,
and not for my own, and, as your legal