ter, I learned that a young lady whom I had unwillingly
offended, by declining to receive her as a room-mate, had spoken of me
disparagingly, and greatly misrepresented various little incidents of our
every-day intercourse. Surprised and indignant, I at once resolved to "have
a talk with her;" but first I made known my disquietude to Aunt Rachel.
"What shall I do?" asked I, in conclusion. "Not much," she answered. "Take
no notice of it. I see she has been talking ill of thee; but she can do
thee little or no real injury. Those who know thee won't believe her," "But
those who don't know me--" interrupted I. "Won't trouble themselves much
about it," she replied; "and if ever they become acquainted with thee,
they'll only have the better means of judging thee truly." "If I say
nothing about it, though," urged I, "she'll feel encouraged to talk on, and
worse." "If thou dost find she is really doing thee an injury," returned
Aunty, "I'll not dissuade thee from taking it in hand; but, as it now
stands, it is not worth disturbing thyself about." "I could make her feel
so ashamed," persisted I. "I don't doubt thee," replied she, laughing; "I
don't doubt thee in the least: but in doing so, won't thou get excited?
Won't thou sleep better, and study better, and waste less time, if thou
just 'let well enough alone?'" "That seems a favorite maxim with you,"
observed I. "I have found it a very useful one," she answered; "and, had I
known its value earlier in life, I might have escaped a good deal of
suffering. Ten years ago, I had a kind husband, and a promising son, and
slowly, yet surely, they were gathering a pretty competence. We thought we
could gather faster by going south; but the location proved unhealthy, and
in one season I lost them both by a bilious fever." Sympathy kept me
silent. "You would not discourage all attempts to better one's condition?"
I at length inquired. "By no means," answered Aunt Rachel; "for that were
to check energy and retard improvement. I would only advise
people--impulsive people especially--to think _before_ they act: for it is
always easier to avoid an evil than to remedy it. Thou art fond of
History," she continued, "and that, both sacred and profane, abounds with
examples of those who, in the day of adversity or retribution, have wished,
oh how earnestly, that they had let well enough alone. Jacob, an exile from
his father's house: Shimei, witnessing the return of David: Zenobia,
high-spirited and