For my part I would rather be
outspoken in the cause of right, even if plain speech did offend, than
be a coward and a woolly mouth. Somebody once lived upon earth, the
example of whose thirty odd years of mortal environment we are taught
to pattern our own lives close upon. How about his politeness when he
talked with the hypocrites and rebuked the pharisees? How about his
policy when he drove the money-changers before a stinging whip, and
championed the cause of the sinful woman? Oh! I tell you, the soul
that is always looking out for the chance to score one for the winning
cause, and throw up its hat with the crowd that makes the most noise,
is poor stock to invest in. In the time of need such a friend would
turn out worse than a real estate investment in a Calumet swamp.
XXVI.
THE MOST DANGEROUS WOMAN.
Shall I tell you plainly, and without any mincing, what type of woman I
think the most dangerous? It is not the virago, the wounds of a sharp
tongue are hard enough to bear, but there is a balm for them. Mother
may be overworked, or sister may be fretted; something is the matter
with the digestion, often, when the one we love scolds and is
excessively disagreeable in manner and speech. The harshest word is
soon excused and overlooked by the smile and the caress that are sure
to follow. So, bad as a scolding, nagging tongue may be, it has its
alleviations, and somewhere there is an excuse made to fit it.
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