The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-02-22

HOt WHdt 10 UuiSalOlJ uPUh NC 40 mhn ~
honor. ! never allow any man to reflect
upon me directly or indirectly without
prompt response"
"fhere is in the Bibles" said Mr.. Trueman,
"a passage that is peculiarly applicable in the
present case. II is this -" A soft answer
turneth away wrath but grevious words stir
up anger" have found this precept in a
life that has numbered more than double your
years, to be one that may be safely and hon
orably adopted, in all cases. You blame
Mr.. Williams for writing you an angry let
ter, and are indignant at certain expressions
contained therein. Now, is it any more
right for you to write an angry letter. with
cutting epithets, thon il is for him I"
But. MIR. Trueman-"
81 do assure you, my young friend" said
the lawyer. interrupting him. !" that am act
ing in this case for your benefit, and not for
my own; and. as your legal adviser, you must
submit to my judgment, or | cannot consent
to 60 on"
"lf will promise not to use any harsh Ian
guage, will you not consent 10 let me write
the letter. urged the client
!" You and |. in the present state Of your
mind. could not possible come at the same
conclusion in reference TO what is harsh and
what is mild" said Mr.. Truenan !" therefore
| cannot consent that you shall write one
word Of the proposed reply. must write
it."
"Well. suppose then, shall have to sub.
nit. When will it be ready"
"Come this afternoon, and will give you
the draft, which you can copy and sign"
In the afternoon, Mr.. Singleton came. and
received the letter prepared BY Mr.. True
man. 1t ran thus, alter the date aud formal
address:
!" | regret that my proposition did not meet
your approval. The node Of settlement which
| suggested was tie result Of careful con.
sideration Of our mutual interest. BE kind
enough to suggest to Mr. Trueman, my law
yer, any plan which you think will lead to
an early and amicable adjustment Of nur bn-
siness. You may rely upon NY consent to
it, if it meets his appreciation.
is IT possible, Mr.. Truemau, that you ex-
pect me TO sign such cringing letter as
that y said Mf. Singleton, throwing il down,
and walking backward and forward with great
irritation OF manner"
Well. what is your objection to it - re-
piled Mr.. Trueman, mildly. for he was
prepared FOR just such an exhibition Of feel
ing.
"objection How can Won ask such
question: Am ! to go on my knees TO him.
and beg him to do me Justice No. Ia sac
rifce every cent I've got in the world FIRST,
the scOundrel -
"You wish to have your business settled.
do you not :" asked Mr.. fruem.n, looking
him steadily in the face.
"0i coure do-honordbly settled"
Well, LET me hear what yOa mean by an
honorable settlement"
Why, mean"
The young man hesitated a moment, and
Mr.. Trueman said:
You mean a settlement in which your in
terest shall be equally considered with that
Of Mr.. Williams"
Yes, certainly. And that"
"And that" continued Mr.. rrneman. "Nr.
Williams. IN the settlement, shall consider
and treat you as gentleman"
Certainly | do. But that is more than
lie has done"
Well, never mind. Let wh,t is past 20
for as much as il is wurth. The principal
point Of action is in the present"
!" But Ill never send that mean, cringing
letter. though"
:" You mistake its whole tenor. ,lo assure
you, Mr.. Singleton. You have allowed yoar
angry feelings to blind you. Yop, ccrialnly.
carefully considered, before sou adopted II,
the proposed basis Of settlement, did you
not. 7"
" OF course did,"
So the letter, which have prepared for
you. ststes. Now, as an honest aud hunora.
bic man. you are, am sure. willing to grant
TO him the same privilege which you asked lDr
yourself. namely, that Of proposing plan oI
settlement. Your proposition does not srrm
to please him now Il Is but lair that he should
be invited 10 state how he wishes the settle.
ment to be made. And 10 giving such an in.
vitation, gentleman should use gentleman.
y language"
/" But lie don't deserve IL be treated like a
gentleman. In fact he has no claim to the
tltle," said the young man.
/" II he has none, as you saw, you profess
TO be a gentleman, and all gentlemen should
prove by their actions and their words that
they are gentlemen"
/" cant say that am convinced by what
sOu say but, as you seem 80 bent On having
il your own way. why, here, let me copy the
thing anil sign IT, said the young man. sud.
denly changing his manner.
"rhere, nos," he added. passing across
the table the brief letter he had copied. - !
suppose he'll think me low-spiriIrd fellow,
after he gets that but he's mistaken. After
its all over. I'll take goud sate to tell him
that Il didn't contain NV sentiments.
/ Mr. Trueman smiled, a. he took the letter,
and went on to told and direct it.
"Come 10 morrow afternoon. and think
we'll have things Ia pretty fair way he
said, looking up With his usual pleasant
smile, as lie finished the direction Of the let.
Ter.
"Gnod afternoon, Mr.. Singleton" Ne said.
as that gentleman entered his Uilise on the
succeeding day.
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