The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-10-02
WOODSFIELD, OHIO, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 184z

you. You. certainly, carefully con
sidered, before you adopted it, the pro
posed basis Of a settlement, did yol
notp ... ......
'Of course | did,"
so the letter which ] have prepared
for you. states. Now, as an honest and
honorable man, you are, am sure
willing 10 grant to him the privilege
which you asked for yourself, viz: tha,
of proposing a plan Of settlement.-
Your proposition does not seem 10
please him: now it is but fair that he
should be invited to state how he
wishes the settlement to be made
And in giving such an invitation, a
gentleman should uss gentlemanly Ian
guage.'
But, he don't deserve to be treated
ike gentleman. In fact, he has no
claims to the tit'e," said the young man.
elf he has none, as you say you pr D
fess to be a gentleman-and all gen.
temen should prove by their actions
and their words tha! they are gentle
men,
Il can't say that | am convinced, by
what you say, but, as you seem so bent
on having it your own way, why, here,
ct me copy the thing and sign it, said
the young man, suddenly changing his
manner.
'There now,'h he added, passing across
the table the brief letter he had copied:
j suppose he'll call me a low-spirited
fellow, after he gets that. But he's
mistaken. After it's all over, III take
good care to tell him, that it didn't con-
tain my sentimentsn
Mr.. Trueman smiled, as he took the
letter, and went on to fold and direct
it.
'Come tomorrow afternoon, and ]
think we'll have things in a pretty fair
way he said, looking up with his usual
pleasant smile, as he finished the direc-
ton of the letter.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Singleton" he
said, as that gentleman entered his Of
fee on the succeeding day.
'Good afternoon,' responded the
young man. 'Well, have you heard
from that milk and water letter Of
yours? can't call il mine.'
'Yes. here is the answer. Take
seat, and | will read it to you,' said the
old gentleman.
sWell, let's hear it, ..-...
'DEAR GEORGE. haveoyour kind,
reasonable, and genIlemanly note Of
yesterday, in reply to my harsh, un
reasonable, and ungenllemanly one of
the day before. We have both been
playing the fool; but you are ahead of
me in becoming sane. have examin-
ed, since got your note, more care
fully, the tenor Of your proposition for
a settlement, and it meets my views
precisely. My foolish anger kept me
from seeing i, before. Let our mutual
friend, Mr.. Trueman, arrange the mat
ter, according to the plan mentioned,
and | shall most heartily acqulesce.
Yours, &C.
sHe never wrote that letter IN the
worldr exclaimed Singleton, starting to
his feet.
you kno W his writing, | presume"
said MIR. Trueman, handing him the
letter.
Its Thomas Williams own hand, as
liver calculated Singleton, on glanc-
ing at the latter. "My old friend,
Thomas Williams, the best natured fel.
low in the worldr he continued, his
feelings undergoing a sudden and entire
revolution. what fool have been!
sAnd what a fool have been! said
Thomas Williams, advancing from an
room, at tho same time ex.
tending his hand towards Singleton.
God bless you, my old friend! ex-
claimed Singleton, grasping his hand.
Why what has been the matter with
Us bothp
'My young friends,' said old Mr..
Trueman, one Of the kindest hearted
men in the world, rising and advancing
towards them; u have known you long,
and have always esteemed you both.
This pleasant meeting and reconciln.
ion, you perceive, is my arrangement.
Now let me give you o Precept that
will both make friends, and keep friends.
/, has been my motto through life; and
don't know that have an enemy in
he world. It's
"A sof answer turneh a,oay yrath,
nut grieuous words stir up anger"