The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-05-04
THE SOFT ANSWER.
by T. S. ARTHUR.

DY 7. S.
an give him law to his hearts con-
tent, the sceundren" said Singleton, walk
ing backward and forward, in an angry
state of excitement.
Don't call harsh names, Mr.. Single
ion," said lawyer Trueman, looking up
from the mass of papers before him, and
smiling in a quiet, benevolent vav that
was peculiar TO him.
Livery man should be known by his
true name. Williams is a scoundrel, and
SO he ought 10 be calledy' responded the
excited client, with increasing warmth.
did you ever DO a reasonable thing in
your life when you were angry!" asked
Mr.. Trueman, whose age and respecta-
biIity gave him the license 10 speak thus
freely to his young friend, for whom he
was e~ndeavoring to arrange some busi-
ness difficulties with his former partner.
81 can't say that | ever did, Mr.. True
man; bui now, | have good reason forbe-
ing angry, and the language that | use, in
reference TO Williams, is but the express
sion Of a sober and rational convictions"
replied Singleton, a little more calmly.
"Did you pronounce him a scoundrel
before you received this reply to your last
letter." asked Mr.. Trueman.
mo, / did not; but that letter confirm
ed my previously formed impressions of
his character"
but | cannot find, in that letter, any
evidence proving your late partner 10 be a
dishonest man. He will not agree TO
your proposed mode of settlement, be-
cause he does net see it TO be the most
proper way"
ale won't agree TO il, because it is an
honest and equitable mode CT settlement,
that is all! He wants to over-reach me,
and is determined TO do so If he can!"
responded Mr.. Singleton, still excited.
"There Won are decidedly wrong,''
said the lawyer. "You have both allow
ed yourselves TO become angry, and are
both unreasonable; and if | must speak
plainly, | think you are the most unreal
Fenable, in the present case. Two angry
men can never settle any business pro-
perly. You have unnecessarily increas-
ed the difficulties in the way of a speedy
settlement, by writing Mr.. Williams an
angry letter. which he has responded TO
in the like unhappy temper. Now, if |
am to settle this business for you. | must
write all the letters that pass to Williams
in future"
"But how can you properly express
my views and ~feelings!"
"That l do not wish to do, if your
views and feelings are TO remain as they
now are-for any thing like an adjust
Inent of the difficulties, under such cir
c~umstances, / should consider hopeless"
replied Mr.. Trueman.
"Well, let me answer this letter, and
after that, | promise that you shall have
your own way"
mo, | shall consent TO no such thing.
Il is the reply TO that letter which is to
modify the negotiation for a settlement,
in such a way as to bring success or fail
ure; and | have no idea of allowing YOU,
an the present state Of your mind, to
write such an one as will most assuredly
defeat an amicable adjustment"
Singleton paused for some time before
making a reply. He had been forming in
his mind a most cutting and bitter rejoin-
der to the letter just alluded to. and was
DESTROYS that Mr.. Williams should have
the benefit of knowing that he thought
him a "tricky and deliberate ~scoundrel,"
with other opinions Of similar character.
He found il, therefore, impossible TO
make up his mind to let the unimpassion-
ed Mr.. Trueman write this most impor-
tant epislle.
Indeed, | must write this letter, Mr..
Trueman," he said. s'There are some
things that want to say to him, which |
know YOU won't write. You don't seem
reconsider the position in which he has
placed me By that letter, nor what is OBJ
ligatory upon me as man of honor. l
never allow any man to reflect upon me,
directly or indirectly, without a prompt
response
.There is. in The Bible," said Mr..
Trueman, "a passags that is peculiarly APP
piIcable in the present case. 1t is this
"A soft answer mrneth away wrath, but
sr'evous words stir up anger" have
iodad his prccapt, ina life that has out