The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-01-21

any other mau might profit by the Wis
dom of his maxim ..
'Better hear all sides and say nauth-
ing"
When the case was laid before Mr.. |
Twinzy, he agreed entirely with Mr..
Vo2ndcrstaun. 70 say nothing was
the height Of wisdom in this wicked
world, in which words are constantly
liable to be misunderstood, misreprc-
scnted. The rule Of saying nothing
was the only safe rule, and 1t was one
from which he, Eir. Twinzy, never de-
parted. He was greatly surprised that
Mr.. Summcrield could have supposed
he had, on any occasion, violated thi:
| rule Of his life, the ralc of saying 10th
ing and especially with reference to
this girl. Careful as he was on ordinary
occasions to say nothing, on this par
ticular subject he had been especially
cautious, and had said a great deal of
nothing.
"Do you not remember he asked
pacing the floor with unusual rapidity,
with hands clasped and eyebrows cle-
waited to their sharpest curve, "do you
not remember how careful l was lest
anything might transpire that would
injure her ? How l warned you not
to speak oft to Thompson, for fear OF
his wife? Did suppose I could not
speak in confidence, the strictest conf
deuce to a friend, without being
blazoned abroad as one capable of be-
traying the secrets of a lady who had
honored me with her preference ?"
Bobby's heart smotc him at thought
Of the light in which he had placed his
honorable friend, and he begged pardon.
After some hesitation, some profound
sighs, and other manifestations of dis
tress, the pardon was granted and the
martyr added: ...
! "In future, must be more careful
must deny myself the sacred pleasures
Of friendship. I did think that at last
1 had found friend, one worthy of the
name, one who loved me, but it is my
lot to be alone in this word; yes, alone;
and I may we'll say with the poet:
''Oh for lodge in some vast wilderness
Where rumorof oppression and deceit might neve1
! reach ME n!ore'
His tone and manner we're so woc-bc.
gone that his poor little friend hung on
his arm and with tears, entreated for.
givcncss. With the air of an irrepaca-
bly, injured but magnanimous sovereign,
Mr. Twinzy gradually descended from
his high place OF injured innocence,
gave assurances Of entire pardon, and
encircling his little adorer with his lon E
arm drew him into his walk, and har.
mony was restored. He then especially
commended Voonderstaun for his pru.
dence in saying nothing; and Dick
flattcred by this notice, was better able
} TO remember what he had before for.
gotten, that Mr.. Twinzy had said nosh-
ing; and as Summor6c)d had given .
very liberal ..trauslation Of the words
and pantomine in which his prirclpa
had conveyed his ideas, he. felt quite
responsible for the story aud anxious ia
aid his friend out Of any difficulty. it
might occasion. That evening he in
formed Mr.. Windermcre that he had
quite misunderstood Mr.. Twinsy, about
} the young lady, who was very like :
dead sister of that gentleman, ane
therefore, an object Of especial Interest
to him.
Thus, by what General Twinzy con
sidered skillful flank movement, h
avoided disaster, and set about plan
ming his next campaign. fle knew. tha
an evil story is not killed by contradic
ton. He could let this one lie Gors de
combat until he could make another
when it was only necessary to remark,
"such things have before been said,'
aud it sprang to life and vigor. The
humiliating nature of lis defeat in his
well-planncd assault upon her honor had
aroused his vindictivcncss. Her cal II,
contempt since, had nurtu :cd this into
a.scttled hate, and FIR the time being,
the small object Of lis small lite was &c
humble her, to ruin her reputation, and
see her cast out as unclean. -.
While. Sumerfeld was making his
explanations in one place, he was in an.
otuer, picking his steps carefully owe,
the: parlor carpet, beating time, and
talking, soto uooc to Mr.. Twinzy
eyes, that young person shall find
that I have her in position from
which she will find it difficult to extri.
cate herself: I have the facts, and
documents, and c'n bidc my time
That young person shall know what is
due to myself, as a gent,cman.'' Step
ping up to mirror, he placed his hand
upon his head, thumb in the quirl of his
top knot, and studying the grace of his
attitude and proper expression for tie
occasion, when adopting the "propricty"
made for his lips, he repeated: eyes,
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