True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-27

or innuendo, is also made, and thus q
playful remark or frank expression, is
tortured into slander, an insult or slight.
The breach thus created. unwillingly Gre
) ated, so far as the original parties are con-
cerned, is widened from day to day by
double system Of treachery and betrayal.
the mischief maker protesting to be con-
fidential with the parties, and enjoining
secresy upon both. Hence, hearts be-
come esiranged, friendships broken, and
affection is stiffied.
There are, we are aware, many mis-
chief makers, who are SO thoughtlessly,
foolishly and without any deep, deliber-
ate, or serious design of doing evil. They
are simply babblers or tattlers, who lack
discretion, judgment, and common sense,
and who have never been able TO practice
the philosophy ofholding their tongues
But there are others who are subtle, willy,
and adroit, and who, asif prompted by
some incarnate fend, seek for and study
every opportunity TO undermine, under
rate, darken character, destroy reputation,
impair confidence, and sever friendship
We can conceive of no darker illustration
Of human depravity. There is scarcely
an individual in existence who could not
be injured seriously, if not fatally, by such
nsidious and double.faced guile. 1t is
y impossible, at all times, TO be watchful
j. and wary, especially in social life; and
when the intercourse is free, frank, and
undisgusted, at such times the thoughts
and feelings are apt TO be expressed with
the utmost freedom, and even, the weak
u, nesses and prejudices Of cherished friends
to be alluded to, not in bitterness or weak.
~ ness, but in confidence, sincerity, and
" sympathy. If, however, a malicious mis-
4 chief maker happen to be at hand, it is
- the easiest thing in the world to misrep-
resent the real fact Of the case, SO as TO
annoy, irritate and infame, to create a
~ sentiment of distrust and of coldness, and
az thus to lay the foundation Of misunder-
% standing, which, iffollowed up, is sure to
~ end in enmity and ill-will. Some persons
: are, moreover, quite sensitive on certain
- subjects, while others are particularly
'e credulous. The mischief maker is sure
!" ~ to discover this. and play his game accor-
dinghy.
:, There might becmany illustrations point
, - ed out; suffice it to say, that this vice is
- - hearlless, cruel and dangerous, and its
" victims ), directly or indirectly. may be
. counted by thousands. tits such an ca
:, sy thing to wound sensitive spirit. Il
y is SO light a thing to stain or soil the rep
utation; confidence may be so promptly
! excited. How many merchants have had
their credit ruined how many honest
men have had their prospects blighted
and their families subjected TO all the hor
rors Of poverty ; how many unkindness'
es have been provoked; how many hearts
have been lacera.ed; how many families
have been made miserable, by the thought
less, or the vicious, the needless, or The
crafty and malignant propensity Of the
= mischief-maker. The poor wretch, who
= in moment of necessity, and laborinl
= under the horrors Of hunger, commits
= some paltry theft, with the object Of sat
ol isfying the cravings Of nature, is prompt
IS ly arrested, convicted, and sent TO a sdu.
s. rance vile.' But how many destroyer.
,e Of the peace offamilies, disiurbers Of the
4 happiness Of hons cholds, in brief, moral
4 assassins Of character, perform their wick
at ed work so artfully, stealthily, and hypo-
is critically, that they see the ruin and the
IN wreck they make, and yet contrive 70 es-
cape the responsibility. Lei. them be as
sured, however, that a day Of reckoning
: will come.