“THE BEWITCHED TONGUE.” IIs

adage, “Think before you speak,” or that other
excellent saying, « Second thoughts are best.”

“« Her disposition was far from unamiable or

malicious, yet the mischief of which she was

the cause was indescribable. Every servant in
the household dreaded to hear the sound of her
voice, for many had she involved in trouble
and disgrace; and as her temper was naturally
quick and impetuous, and she never attempted
to check her first expressions of provocation,
small and even trifling disagreements were by
her foolish tongue exaggerated into lasting dis-
cord, long after all real cause of offence had
passed from her mind.

““«« My brother will not forgive me,” she con-
fessed one day to her mother, with many tears ;
“and the quarrel was only that he had broken
the vase of flowers that stand on my table. J
forgave Am, —I would rather lose twenty vases
than his affection, — and yet he will not speak
to me, and passes me by with indignant looks,”

“<«« And did you at once express your forgive-
ness to him, Elizabetha?” said her mother,