The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-16
For the Wing Standard.
GOSSIP AND SLANDER-AN ALLEGoRY.
BY A. Z. DRAKE.

them precursors-antecedents or shadows cast
before coming events Others, and among them
that sagacious observer of nature, Shakespeare,
who denomnates them the
"Children of an idle brain,
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,
Which is as thin of substance as the air,
And more inconstant than the wind,'
are disposed to look upon them as the subsequents
or attendants upon reflections on preceding events.
must confess that l am more inclined to the
latter belief but as it is not my intention to write
an essay upon the subject, will leave each to
entertain their own particular belief as to their
origin, merely intimating that as to their morality
there can be but little doubt, since all that ever
heard of or dreamt (remark, 90 not mean ,oaking
dreams) contain moral, if the hearers or dream
ers will take the trouble to deduce it, to separate
the dross from the gold, the chaff from the fruit
full grain. AS confederation of this assertion,
beg leave to lay before my readers dream that
visited my sleeping senses few nights since.
do not intend to invest it with the flowers of inn
agination, but set it before them in homely
dress, believing that its intrinsic worth, in mo-
raj point of view, will prove its best recommen-
dalton.
stood at the gate of my little country resi-
dence. Evening had begun to cast hazy and
uncertain shade upon surrounding objects, when,
casting my eyes down the narrow pathway that,
half concealed by the surrounding foliage and UNI
dergrowth, led to my humble home, espied APP
preaching me traveller. His garments were
soiled and travel-worn. His gait betrayed his
WEAKNESS, and as he approached nearer, saw
that he was preceded some short distance by a
lion and hyena, which he however kept in check
by a heavy chain. He came to the gate, and in
attering accents spoke Of the length Of his travel
and begged resting place for the night. must
confess his travelling companions were not to my
liking, and was on the point OF intimating this
to him, when he remarked, If the animals give
you any uneasinesa, can set your mind perfectly
at ease by the assurance that have them in
invest you with a charm that will place them as
much under your control as my own.''
Pleased with the idea, at once consented to
his remaining, and the cellar Of the building was
appropriated to the use of the animals He APP
peared indeed to possess unlimited power over
them, since even in their most furious moods
simple word from him caused them to crouch
abashed in the remotest corner Of their resting
place. At his request furnished him with some
fresh meats, and then accompanied him to see
them fed. He divided it into two parcels one of
which he threw to each animal. The lion
pounced upon his share like lightning, and bear
ing it to one corner, commenced playing with it
as kitten with mouse, till weary of his amuse-
ment, he swallowed it at mouthful. The hy-
ena, however, growled and shrunk back from his
feeder, nor would he touch his food till we went
into adjoining cellar, which was separated from
the first by slight board partition, and which
completely hid us from view.
Here | applied my eye to knot-hole to OBJ
serve the actions of the two animals The
hyena, after looking round most suspiciously for
a brief period, slowly emerged from his corner,
and stealthily approached his food. Upon reach
ing it he snatched it hastily, and hurriedly re-
treated to his hiding place. | could not but OBJ
serve the marked difference between the action
of the two animals. and I remarked it to the
keeper. Receiving, however, no immediate an
swer, turned to look for him, when, instead of
the ragged, travel-worn mendicant, l beheld
beauteous angel clothed in ethereal splendor,
while on his breast rested large mirror. |
stood transfxed with awe and fear. Tremble
not, my FRIEND" said the beauteous apparition !;
"you behold in me personifcation Of Truth.
promised thee control over the two animals
that brought hither: such shall be the case !;
but first learn their names-they are not as you
supposed, a lion and hyena, but Gossip and Sian
der. Clothe myself in my simple vestments
and enter their den without fear" Saving these
words he vanished and awoke the cold perspi-
ration believing my forehead, but with my
head and my heart filled with new and pleas
ing sensation of happiness. 1t was Divine
revelation to one who had suffered from the raw
enous appetite of both ANIMALS, and will my
readers say there is no moral in my dream
Lion-like Gossip pounces upon, as legal prey,
whatever is thrown to it but it is left for SLAM
der
Whose edge sharper than the sword whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath
Rides on the posting winds, and doth belle
All corners of the world
to lacerate the sensitive heart. Who can escape
its anonymous attacks, its stealthy, cowardly
backbitings9 The good the great, the wise,
the beautiful, the rich, the poor, the lofty, the
humble, the old, the young all classes and con.
ditions of man in his social state are more or
less the victims of its treacherous smile. Even
the dead are not exempt Hyena-like,
"the, secrets of the grave
This viperous SANDER enters"
tearing from out their Wondering collins the
fast-decaying bodies of its victims, not content
while fragment of flesh still cling to the crum-
bling bones. But here point you out the rem
edyI give the antidote with the bane: arm