Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1867-03-14
GA SOFT ANSWER" ;"
BY BESSIE MORGAN.

] In a room OF a country house, overlooking
broad green lawn, young lady sat at table
twining into boquets profusion of flowers and
evergreens, which had evidently just been gath.
cred, as dew gems were still sparkling amid theil
bright leaves. Asmile occasionally fitted acros.
her gentle face, as the bursts OF merrjment from
group of children on the lawn reached her,
Suddenly a loud "whoa," and an answering
shout from the little ones, caused her to hasten
to the window.
GAIL going on this train will please step aboard
Immediately" called out a jovial voice from a
large wagon which had just been driven up at a
| flying rate. fgT. .. .#.. ...
"It is charming morning TO take q ride, ~
nurmured the lady, as she again gathered up
the flowers. 'Gfit were not for these boquets I
should join the party.
The door opened hastily, and quick step
moved toward the dressing stand. ,...
''Is that you, sister," inquired the lady with
out looking around.
ri'Yes, have come in great haste for my gloves
would be sorry to keep them waiting"
"You will find them in the upper drawer; I
laid them there this morning."
@The drawer was opened, but the gloves were
not there. ft.
"Are you quite sure, Jeanette, you returned
them to the drawer2 IT'S too provokingl"
The tones were sharp, and the face of the
speaker, rs she tossed aside impatiently the piles
she had so carefully arraigncd but the day pre-
vious, wore threatening aspect and desire to
annhilate the offender should the search prove
fruitless.
III should not have said so, sister, had not :"
Though the reply was spoken quietly, a bright
glow on the check and the sudden kndling of
the dow ncast eyes, plainly denoted struggle
Within tea ,n.rl'u .. .... .....-
~ am strongly inclined to believe you are
mstaken! You know any article you borrow is
seldom returned, - retor.ed the sister, her voice
and eountenance not in the least mo lifying.
7''It is delightful to have ones word doubt
ed. told You positively, Julia, that they were
returned othe dawer.'
The storm WIS fast gathering. The demon
Anger bad FASTENED, with fendish delight, to
the conflict.
"a s'ft answer" whispered, with tender cern-
estnes0, the good angel.
'You are bearing gross imposition. Will
you tamcly submit to so vile an insult?'' came
Kissing to the ears of the sisters.
"a soft answer" again, with winning accents
whispered the gooi angel, while tear of sorrow
trembled in her loving eye.
But there was strange fascination in the
words of the demon, aud the sisters yielded to
the tempter's spell.
"Your assertions are not worth much, for the
gloves al not here" continued Julia, overturn
ing, angrily, collars, ribbons, sleeves, etc. s'It
is always the wayl You are so certain about
matters of which you have no recollection. You
have about as much memory, Jeanette, as a dolr.
AS for your intentions. tie lower region is paved
with &C cd intentions"
"And inhabited by people blessed with dis
positions lovely as your ownl'' returned the 9TH
er with contemptous sneer. 81 care not groat
if.'your gloves are never seen and shall not
trouble you again for anything, though / may
he dying for the want of it."
"Ah hem very prettily said! sincerely hope
ysu will remember your promise. 1t is an old
story and am fearful your reformation will not
last Now, don't quite destroy me with those
lightning glances," she added, while tantali-
zing smile played over her features. Greatly,
while in rage yoa are positively handsome!-
do wish Aunt Mary could see you now, she
thinks you such paragon Of amiability, and
just the disposition to be mother | tn ink her
opinion would slightly change All, me!' she
sighed, shaking her head, as she closed the
drawer and hastcned from the room, 'the trail
of the serpent is over US all.''
A mother! You start, reader. Surely the ac-
tors in..this unhappy drama could not have borne
the sacred name ofmotherl Surely they did moi
presume to become guides of youthful impressbilc
minds, upon whose fair tablets every angry ex-
ri css ion. every uugentls word, would be forever
epg<aven and whose influence would extend to
ter they had never been born. SO thought Jea.
net,e MS the name sent sharp pang to her heart
filing it with tumultuous tears. But crushing
back her emotion rs her sister entered the room
for articles she had in her anger forgotten, she
exclaimed, bitterly.
80, Julia, how foolish VIC were to come to the
same place for our summer enjoyment. We should
nave kHOWH bettcT. tOu NEc utCOmluR tOO iuSO-
lent and overbearing to endure.
~ agree with you, Jeanette, we were foolish;
and permit me to thank you for discovering at
last my true character. Ireturn the compliment
Oe all the irritable, odious people whom ever
met, you exceed them all. I should have been
far happier had you remained in the city; but
shall not listen to your quarreling any longer" I"
and Julia commenced humminC lively air with
provoking Indifference. But cutting words and
an offensive manner were i'll calculated TO end
the strife. The demon reigned triumphantly as
the storm grew fercer, and sharp and bitter
words followed, the memory Of which in calm
reflection, could but bring the keeuest remorse.
ssyIamma, dear mamma! please hurry" ex-
claimed a sweet voice beneath the window. Julia
Immediately hurried from the room.
g"Good-bye, mammal shouted another little
voice; ~ wish you were going too" ..
Jeanette looked down at the smiling face,
flushed with joyful excitement, and strove to re-
turn pleasant "gooi.bye." AS the party drove
away sle walked to the door and drew the bolt.