THE ADVANTAGES OF SILENCE.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 147, 21 May 1879, Page 3

THE ADVANTAGES OF SILENCE.

Ishael P. Inman, who died in Utica recently, had uttered scarcely a word for more than lia’f a century. Ho was not dumb ; he could talk well enough ; but he became convinced at an early stage of his life that more harm than good was wrought by speech, and remained true to his principles ever after. When his first child was born he rode seven miles in quest of a physician. He carried slate and pencil, wrote a statement of the situation, returned with the medicine man, and received the announcement of his paternal responsibilities in silence. His wife, who survives him, says no woman ever had a kinder husband. The relations between the couple wore always pleasant, and Mrs. Inman has remarked to her neighbours ; “ If Ishael talked as much as I do, the Lord knows what might happen.” Borne of his written replies to the questions of acqaintances who wore curious to know why he preferred silence to speech are worthy of mention. One retort was: “ A good listener is to be preferred to a poor talker.” Another was: “ I want to prove that a man can be happy and hold his tongue,” Another: “I am trying to think of 'something good enough to say out loud.” A clergyman once asked Inman whether he didn’t think the Lord gave him his tongue to

ho used. The penciled reply was : "The Lord gave me a mind, that tells me when to use my tongue,” In 18 i2, while ho was travelling with his wife in a stage between Syracuse and Rochester, the vehicle was halted in front of a country tavern. A child was sleeping on the porch. Inman, looking out, saw a large black snake crawl to the side of the infant. Grasping his wife’s arm, he shouted, “ See !” and, pointing to the snake, sprang from the stage, pursued the reptile some distance, and finally killed it. He left a snug fortune, which his son inherits. His last written message was: “ Silence is golden.” His oft-penciled admonition to his son was: “ Keep your mouth shut.” — 4 Syracuse.’