Page:Ralcy H. Bell - The Mystery of Words (1924).pdf/157

 walks by loving words: poverty is turned into riches and wretchedness into gladness. This should give pause to hasty speech.

I can understand in a way how a man can be miserly with money. To him gold represents years of struggle for what he believes to be success. It assures him certain comforts and a kind of pleasure in the things that gold will buy. Going a step higher, it makes it possible for him to help others. It gives him power over misery—a power to suppress want—a power to kindle happiness—a power to protect the weak from the might of wrong—the only power that is prized by any worthy soul; but I can not understand the man who is grudging of generous words or one who is indifferent to the decent parts of speech.

I can understand how the madness of anger may sling a word as a dart to wound a foe or even to hurt a friend; and how vanity may sputter smarting words, scintillating in an artificial light, for the childish pleasure of being reputed witty. Anyone can under-