Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-01-27

Its out OF tie abundance OF the
heart the mouth speaketh. If we fee
unkindly We viii be sure in some un.
guarded moment 10 speak unkindly-
if We think evil We will speak eyil-
Lip sentinels are apt TO sleep at their
posts. What then?''
Mrs. Dalten paused, looking steadily
at the young man. He did not answer,
but his brow was knit in a perplexed
way. The expression of his face said,
"What does ali this mean?"
did it ever occur to you, Mr.. Wild
err" resumed the lady, 'thst in our at
tempt to hurt others by hard words,
We generally get the worst of it"
"You speak in riddles, my dear
madame, or else am especially dull
to-day" Wilder's Perplexity of man
ner increased.
"You tried to hurt Mr.. Grover"
That's putting the question rather
strongly, Mrs. Dalton" he answered.
mo; it is stating the case exactly.
What You said of him was not only
meant by you, to hurt him in the es-
timation of friends, but will have that
effect with those not well acquainted
with him. You do him q serious
wrong; and why? Now, this why in
wolves all wish to set forth. Why
do you seek to injure him? Was he
sssaulting you as an enemy? and you
simply acting under the justifable law
of self-defence? Or, were you, really,
assaulting him-going out of your
way TO do him unprovoked wrong?"
Wilder dropped his face to the floor.
and sat very still for a short time. l
saw the light go out of his face as the
conviction touched his mind. He was
beginning to see through the riddle
that at first perplexed him.
Suppose, went on Mrs. Dalton you
had been able to maintain a perfect
guard on your lips, SO that not single
word, in betrayal Of your unkind feel
ings toward Edward Grover, could find
its way out, what then? Why simply
this: Through troublesome care and
watchfulness, you would have been
able to keep, in your heart, as cage
of hurtful beasts, evil thoughts and
passions. How much better to east
them out! To turn the miserable crew
adriftl How much better TO have, in
their places, good and kind thoughts
of others-generous wishes - tender
emotions. No need to set guard over
these. No occasion for bolt, bar and
sentinel. Whether they keep in your
heart, or went forth through speech
and act, they would always be doing
good. Love thinketh no evil; is not
unkind; vaunteth not itself Do you
understand me now, Mr.. Wilder?"
''In part" he answered.
"Shall l go on?'
"By all means. As said before;
better the wounds of friend, than the
kisses of an enemy"
Gam / not correct in the inference
that your detraction Of Mr.. Grover
sprung from simple dislike, and was
not based on any facts prejudicial to
his character?'
81 think him narrow and selfish"
said Wilder.
"On evidence?"
"Are you free to give the evidence?"
81 have seen him do little mean
things; and l have seen him refuse to
do things generous"
According to your standard" said
Mrs. Dalton.
"That is speaking rather vaguely,
my friend. Standards are relative"
"Not always, Mrs. Dalton. They
are common standards by which all
may be judged"
"He is close, presume, in his mon
ey matters?"
"Close! The word don't express
it," said Wilder, with reviving warmth
of manner. "He is mean - miserly--
sordid!"
"Take carer' Mrs. Dalton spoke in
warning, "Off your guard again"
"But l know, ma'am! I've seen
him tested"
so have l."
"Well, and how do you read him."
asked the young man, littlecuriously.
GAS generous, almost beyond ex
ample" Mrs. Dalton spoke in a firm
voice. as one who knew just what she
was saying.
''Then he is hiding his candle under
a bushel; that is all l have to say"
Wilder.
"He may hide it from the world"
the lady; "but l can take you
to where it would shine perpetually,
giving not only light, but warmth and
comfort l could take you into sick
room, where a pale, wasted invalid is
slowly, but surely going down toward
The river of death. The waters al
ready touch her feet. l think, ii 1t
had not been for Edward Grover,
Lhese last DAYS of her mortal life would
have felt the pressure of public charity.
She had no special claim on Edward; /.
but she had been his mothers friend;
and all his early memories are, in some
way, associated with her. You know
hat his income is small, and | know
hat be has been, for over year, en- +.
ragged to be married, and is only wait
ne until he can feel sure OF his ability
% support wife. But for the cost of
his good work to which | have refer
-ed, he could feel himself able to mar
". While it is continued, and his in
come remains as it is now, he and his |
sweet girl, who loves him all the better
or his good deeds, must be content to
vait."
.Is this so?" exclaimed Mr.. Wild '
It, with considerable warmth of man
Ter. r
at is Just as l have said. And now, t
nv friend, do you know anything in i
lis life, secret or before the world, !
hat can be said against this to justify '
Tour assertion that he is mean, sordid +
md miserlv9v