The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-06
GrievOus Words.

But grievous words stir up anger
but grievous words stir up an ger. A
soft answer turneth away wrath but
grievous words stir up anger"
Little Flossie Latimer was sitting on
the calco.covered lounge, busily
studying her "verse for the Sabbath.
Over at the table, Belle, Flossie's older
sister. was wiping the dinner dishes
Bellies lips were grimly compressed,
and there was an angry gleam in the
blue eyes that were so like Flossie's.
There was so sound in the room eX-
cept the soft, moDotonous voice of the
child's repeating the verse. And the
words seemed to Belle to be set to sad,
mournful music. The impatient look
gradually faded from the girls face,
and when she had finished the dishes
and swept the floor, she went and
stood by Flossie's side.
"I've got it learned" the child cried,
triumphantly, pulling Belle down on
the lounge and nesting her golden
say it," And once more the childish
voice repeated the words.
"What does it mean, Belle 2" she
asked abruptly. "What are grievous
words, and how do they stir up anger?"
"It means cross words, DEAR" and
Belle srnoothed the bright hair. "And
they stir up cross feelings in the heart
of the person to whom they are spoken,
and the result is quarrel"
Like you and Ralph, to-day"
Flossied interrupted. They must
have been grievous words you said !;
weren't they, Bellem
Belle did not reply. After mo-
ment, she laid the head of the child
who was half asleep, upon the pillow,
and went softly up 10 her room. Flos-
sie's question had stnng her. and as
she stood before the glass, brushing
her hair, she reviewed the Gene to
which the child had referred. "
Mrs. Latimere was away on visit,
so Belle was house-keeper. She had
gone to the sitting-room a half nour af-
ter dinner and found disorder reigning
there. Ralph had carried the cush-
ions from the chairs to the couch scat
tered the papers over the table, and
overturned his sisters work-basket.
Belle scoded. II wish you would
stay out Of here" she said, by way of
conclusion. "You are always making
work.
"Just giving your tongue exercise.
Ralph replied, teasingly, "Say, Belle,
do you like to scold ?"
"That is all you care. You are the
worst boy know, and L am ashamed
of YOU"
Ralph sprang up from the couch at
that. II don't claim to be goody-
goody, like you," he cried, holtly.
YOU'RE pretty Christisn, Belle Lati-
mere" and Ralph slammed the door
after him.
Eyes, Flossie, dear, they were griev-
Gus words" and Belle leaned against
the window frame, letting her eyes
wander over the gaily tinted October
woods> II wish l could be better
sister to Ralph, 1 love him, but oil, my
horrid temperW And she brushed
away the tears.
She finished her simple toilet. AS
she descended the stairs she MUIR
INJURED: "I've proved the last part of
Flossie's verse, now I'll try the first"
and quick prayer winged its way to
where no cry for help is ever un-
needed.
Belle went straight to the sitting
room, and began to put 1t in order.
In a few minutes Flossie came in,
bright, and CHEEKY, after her nap.
please, sis, can't l go out where papa
and Ralph are"'
Papa has gone to town, but you
can 60 down to the west barn, where
Ralph is packing apples" Belle said,
kissing the pink cheek. "Get your
hat, Blossom"
Ppm hungry, sister, hungry for
crullers."
Belle laughed and hurried to the
pantry. Coming back. she gave the
child, besides her own crullers, three
wrapped in paper.
"Give them to Ralph, say your verse
to him, and tell him Belle said she
wished she had studied the first part of
it this afternoon"
Gall right" and Flossie ran away.
An hour later, when she came in,
Belle, who was filling the shining
copper tea kettle, preparatory to begin
ming supper, asked, soft. What did
Ralph say ?"
He said to tell you the crullers were
jolly, and he'd learn the verse too.
Won't that be funny, though, for US
all to learn it?"
Ralph was washing at the kitchen
sink when Belle came from the cellar.
She placed the pitcher of cream and
the ball of golden butter she carried on
the table and hesitated moment.
You know how hard it is to confess
fault, and it was no easier for Belle
than for you or me. But help came to
her n that moment of silence-shall
we say in answer to the prayer of
few hours before?
"Forgive me, Ralph, for my hasty
words; )" her voice trembled little.
81 am ashamed of myself for"
"Now, don't say anything more,
Belle" and blush burned its way
through the tan on the boyish cheeks.
II was the one to blame, and sister,
Pm sorry l said what l did about
we'll you know"
eyes, l know, Ralph and 1 don't
blame you. / am faulty Christian,
but | am going to try to be better
one. You know I have a dreadful
temper"
"Well, you are not alone there.
That is family possession of the
Latimere's; Belle, We'll fight it togeth-
er after this"
"Yes,n and a pleasant smile fingered
around the girls lips, "We'll prove
that a soft answer turneth away
wrath, as well as 'grievous words stir
up anger"