The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-09-09
A Reform Needed.


There is an ugly popularity incident to
society, which needs a speedy roforma-
ton. We allude to the bad custom of
gossiping over harmless and pleasant
intercourse of young people of opposite
sexes. What we mean is this: If a
young man is polite, and renders himself
agreeable to young female friend in the
abeaten way of friendship straightway
begin the sly whisper and the open cavil.
Busy tongues pour into greedy ears the
welcome news that Mr.--, was seen
walking with Miss, alone. Or if
the gentleman invites his friend to the the
atre or concert, it is all over with them
a wedding may be expected shortly.
What is the consequence of all this
foolishness on the part OF lockers ons
Simply this: quiet, incffensive young
man is deprived of the society of good
tempered girl, who would improve his
manners and be of great service to him
as a friend. Very often if he be denied
social interchange of conversation in this
way, or ramble with a pleasant COM
panion, he will look elsewhere and not
subsequently out of the pale of respecta-
bility, for his associates. 1t is bad GUS
tom, this constant espionage, so tyranni-
cally held, and we hope good sense and
better policy will drive out so foul and
wicked habit-Easte,m Paper.
To the sentiment of this piece we say
''amen" most heartily. Of all the minor
evils of society, gossip is the one which
we damn with greatest emphasis. 1t
springs from barren intellect, an enyions
heart and jealous disposition. The range
of gossip is as wide as the range of hui
man action, but its most fayorite theme
is tho intercourse of young people. If a
gentleman and lady indulge in a quiet bit
of friendship and an interchange of friend
ly fayors, suspicion is excited, and
.'Old men and beldams in the street
Do prophesy upon it dangerously"
Now it is q law of Nature-a decree
Of God, that the sexes should each find
enjoyment in the society of the other.
The strong, self balanced man cares not
for gossip. he courts no favor and fears
no frown, he lives out his own individual
ity, and values his own opinion of himself
more than he does the appreciation of
others, Such an one is not frightened
from lady's friendship by rumor or re-
mark, but the timid and undecided are,
and instead of feeling the Christening and
purifying influence of true womanly char
acter, they seek those resorts where female
beauties and Establishments but thinly
cover a hell of shame. ....
Now no one means to be gossip
The busiest "busy body" the most invet-
crate 'taIe-bcarer," are certain they don't
say anything. We don't expect our re-
monstrance will avail much, but we make
it in all sincerity, and we wonder how
people that have souls and intelligence,
can indulge in idle curiosity, vain remark
feeble criticism or petty jealousy, when
the world of nature opens wide and rich
around them, when the world Of thought
is full of wealth, and life with its duties
of solemn import, is upon them and eter-
nifty with its glories or glocms lies just be-
yond.
As a concluding bit of advice we say to
al; have t. o muchsdgnity to gossip about
others, and too much independence to care
for their gossip about you.