Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-05-12

so yN0E.
VI alI propcnsnics, scandal is the
most insidious and destructive. Un-
known 10 its propaga.ors, its destroying
power IS felt by its victim ere the detrac-
tor is aware that he has been doing mis-.
chief; and there nre many who would
not ralingiy inJure any person, who have,
from want OF II proper course Of convcr-
sailon, wounded their best friends, with
desire TO make themselves agreeable. -
They give all the nems they hsar, both
bad and good, Of every body; thus friend
and foo share alike in the general ruin.
Miss Smith was a lady somewhere
about loity years of age, who superiuten-
ded the affairs of VII her nsig ghbors, To
the neglect of her own. She could tell
the name, occupation, and means Of
every body, for squares around her.
Miss James was not backward in the
same department, bnt she was young and
thoughtlcss, and whatever she heard Of
n person she would he sure to repeat, so
that she was always in difficulty, aud
kept every one around her likewise in
trouble. Miss Green was an amiahlc
girl, who was always cndravoring To con-
ciiiate The troubles which the DISPOSE
tions Of the two lormer ladies' created.
\ party wns given by Miss Smith. -
Many ladies' were assembled, amongst
whom were The above named persons,
and Mrs. Milton. Conversation con
nnued sprii' :! for some time, ill nj length
II Jagged, and scandal crepi in by Miss
jams observing
Mrs. NliItnn,.l hear Mr. Milton is
very much struck with the beauty of
your cousin, Maria Morton. | should
not like his visits there if | were ,ou,
particularly as hc is going 10 set her up
m business"
"is hei" answered Mrs. Milton, who
felt rather chagrined at her husband for
not having mentioned any thing about it
90 her. Il heard nothing OF it,"
"No :" exclaimed Miss Smith "why,
every booy is talking of it,"
Mrs. Milton cndeuvorcd to laugh the
matter of, saying -" every body has
taken il IN hand, there is 10 necessity Tor
my interference"
SWELL" observed Miss James, 81
don't know what the world IS coming TO. |
Last Sunday Miss Lawson was al Church
dressed just as iashIonably as she used
10 before her la,her failed"
"That may be-lor her dresses could
not be old fashioned already, considering
1t was only the week before last that the
failure happened" added Miss Green
Besides, Miss Lawson is very handy
nj her needle, very economical, and very
Industrious /; SO ihat while thread Of
them remains, SHE can alter them with
the iasbIolIs."
THAT may be-" exclaimed Miss
James, "but II don't look well, now that
she is obliged I" take IN sewing"
81 should have supposed" continued
Miss Green, "the sanctuary she was IN
ought to have protected her from crili-
cis,n. We might employ our thoughts
better Oh the Sabbath, than commenting
Oh one another's dress"
"Not at ALL" Interrupted Miss Smith,
"ur get most ol my fashions at church,
and so do many others"
That does not make it right" con-
iinued Miss Green, "and HE sooner such I
unchrsiian like conduct IL lrowned down,
the better for the purity Of religion and
the cause OF morality"
Many OF the ladies' agreed that il was
usual thing, so 1t was voted that Nj Iss /.
Lawson was very lmprudent girl, al \
though no one could define exactly in I
what her inpudence consisted.
"But don't think she is half as bad /
as Mrs. Morley" said Miss Smith. =
"ilcr husband Is to be tred Tor perjury,
in enGeavoring to delraud his creditors
mud declare saw her riding down
Walnut street in cab, with lawyer
james Jones'"
Mrs. Morley was scarcely known TO
my Of the party present. Her husband /
had been unfortunate, aud lost his prop
crty IN speculn,ions. Friend alter friend
had torsaken him, tIll al length none .
remained 10 care for him, save her
who, with woman's love, clung To him in |
misery and despair. The inciden, aIud-
cd to was effected by her application to
that gentleman TO plead her husbands
cause, and they were going together to
visit Morley in prison, when they were
seen by Miss Smith.
Most ot the company agreed that II
was shocking thing and they separa-
ted for the night, under the conviction
that Mrs. Morley was creature to be
stunned. /
For the first time, Mrs. Milton receiv-
Ell her husband with marked coldness.-I 4
Ills oren disposition sought an explana-
ton. II
"When you admire ladies so much as
10 be continually visiting them without
my knowledge, 1t is time for me to feel a
htlle mortified -
"Whai do you mean ? and to whom do
you allude :" asked the gentleman.
"My cousin, Maria Morton" answer
ed his wife. 4
That" continued he, "is because
yOu neglected TO do so yourself. But
that cape, Emma, that | see round your
neck, | have seen in other hands"
"Turn he subject off as you please"
rcplcd Mrs Milton, much piqued at his
seemingly irrelevant remark. "The cape
Is noihng new. II is the one you gave
me. dM value II Tor the donor, and
had u transferred lately at the Reposi-
tory" i,
"iIow much did yon pay FOR getting it
dous i' asked Mr.. Milton. Il,
"Nine dollars - was The reply.
"For which, continued Mr.. Milton,
Hthrpe dollars were oiypn ia tho nerson