The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-07-14

Mrs. Dalton paused, looking steadily
at the young man. He did not answer;
but his brow was knit in perplexed way.
The expression of his face said, "What
does all this mean"
"Did it ever occur to you, MIR Wilder,'
resumed the lady, "that in our attempts
to hurt others by hard words, We gener-
ally get the worst of itT'
"You speak in riddles, my dear mad
am; or else / am especially dull to day
Wilder's perplexity of manner increased
"You tried to hurt Mr.. Grover
"That is putting the question rather
strongly, Mrs. Dslton," he answered.
"No; it is stating the case exactly
What you said Of him was not only meant,
by you, to hurt him III the estimation of
his friends, but will have that effect with
those not well acquainted with him. You
did him a serious wrong; and Why
Now, this why involves all that wish to
set forth Why did you seek to injure
him? Was he assau!ting you as an enc
my? And were you simply acting under
the justifable law of self defence? Or,
were you, really, assaultiug him going
out Of your way to do him an unprovoked
wrongY
Wilder dropped his gaze to the floor,
and sat very still for ashort time lsaw
the light go out of his face as conviction
touched his mind. lie was beginningto
see through the riddle that at first per-
picked him.
"Suppose," went on Mrs Dalton, "you
had been able to maintain perfect guard
at your lips, so that not single word, in
betrayal Of your unkind feelings toward
Edward Grover, could ind its way out,
what then? Simply this: Through trou
blcsome care and watchfulnees, you wo'd
have been able to keep, in your heart, as
a cage of hurtful beasts, evil thoughts
aud bad passions. How much better to
cast them ou'. To turn the miserable
crew adritt! How much better to have,
in their places, good and kind thoughts
Of Others generous wishcs--tender emo
tions. No need to set guard over these.
No occasion for bolt, bar, and scntineI.-
Whether they kept in your heart, or
went forth through speech or act, they
would be always doing good. Love think.
eth no evil; is not unkiud; vauntcth not
itself. Do you understand me now, Mr..
Wilder"
"In part" he answered.
"Shall go on?"
"3y all means. As said before: bet
ter the wounds of friend, than the kiss
of an enemy"
"Am | not correct 10 the inference
that your detraction of Mr.. Grover sprung
from a simple dislike, and was not based
on any facts prejudicial to his charac-
teri" -,..
Il think him narrow and selfish, said
Wilder.
"On evidence?'
'Yes."
care you free to give the evidence?"
"I have seen him do little and mean
things: and have seen him refuse to do
things generous
"According to your Standard" said
Mrs. Dalton.
"According to any liberal standard"
"That is speaking vaguely, my friend
Standards are relatlve.'
"Not always, Mrs. Dalton. There are
common standards, by which all may be
judged"
ale is close, I presume, in his money
matters?'
"Close The word don't express it,
said Wilder, with reviving warmth of
manner. Gle is mean-miserl y-sor-
did,
take carc" Mrs. Dalton spoke, in
warning. "OG your guard again.
"But know, ma'au! I've seen him
tested"
$50 have T.
"Well, and how do you read him?'
asked the young man, little curiously.
GAS generous, almost beyond example. .
Mrs. Dalton spoke iu firm voice, as one
who knew just what she was saying.
"Theu he is hiding his candle under {
bushel; that is all that have to say, y
answered Wilder ......
"He may hide it from the world" re-
turned the lady; "but could take YOU
to where it shines perpetually, giving no
only light, but warmth and comfort.
could take you into sick room, where a
pale, wasting invalid is slow y, but surely
going down toward the river Of death -
The waters already touch her feet.
think, if it had not been for Edward Gro
yer, these last days of her mortal lif'
would have felt the oppression of publi'
charity. She bs no special claim on Ed
ward; but she had been his mother,
friend, and all his early memories are, il
some way, associated with her Yo,
know that his income is small, and | know
that he has been, for over year, engag
ed to be married, and is only waiting un
til he can feel sure of his ability to sup
port wife But for the cost of thi
good work to which have referred, h
would feel himself able to marry. Will
it is continued, and his income remain
as it is now, he and the sweet girl, VIII
loves him all the better for his good deeds
must be content to wait
eIs this SOP" exclaimed Mr.. Wilder
with considerable warmth of manner.
at is just as have said. And now