The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-01-06
THE TOWN TATTLER.
BY HETTY EARTLY.

OF newspapers and all other printed infor-
nation, upon principle. They see in the
uew disseminator Of knowledge medium
superior to their own, and like Othclo,
feeling that their occupation is gone, they
are loud in their denunciations of the limo
walton. Need we state that this band is
composed of those whose very life
and meat it is to tattle and make mis-
chief?
Who that has lived in small country
town, has not at some time or other, come
under the influence, or been acquainted
with one Of these pests, who, assuming a
warm interest in the affairs of Others
manifest Kindness that warns itself into
the victims confidence, only to betray it at
last? Is there habtuated place in our
vast country, in which the gossip has not
found resting places We said resting
place That is plainly misnomer, for
the tattler never rests. She (for we must
confess that the busy body is generally
one of our own sex) never tires in the
work that she has given herself to do
She will 6nd some subject for remark
and If no cause exists, she will create one.
She is gifted with a most prolific imagi
nation, and draws upon it at liJituns
either for the delcctation Of herself or
her friends, who are accustomed to lock
to her for news. Many life has she
blasted, with the ungenerous and un
founded suspicious which she has given rise
to. Many heart, in the fuliness of its
JOY, has had its sweetness turned into the
bitterness of woe, by the infusion of her
cruel doubts. Many young dreamer
have seen their almost verified hopes scat
tered before her pestilcutial bfeath. From
the bosom of many and many pure
creature, has she forever shut out the
rays of hope booming them to lifelong
despair.
See her now, sitting at her window,
overlooking the street through which bu'
siness or inclination calls her neighbors.
Had the vulture human prototype, this
would be her, as she sits picking charac
ter to pieces, and fixing tile sharp claws
of slander in the very vitals of reputa
ton. Thus she discourses.
"Therc's that Miss Trippet! She's al
ways gadding about and minding other
peoples businesss when she ought to be
at home, helping her mother. Now that
poor woman is worked almost to death,
while her stuckup daughter promenades
the street, dressed up in the highest style
Of fashion. don't know where she gets
the money to buy all these things, but
can guess. She and Mr.. Yardly, that
keeps the store, don't have SO much to
say for nothing. She takes good care
to pass his store every time she goes
out. Now | wouldn't do thing to op
crate against any one, or hurt their feel
ings, but am determined to find out all
about them two. feel perfectly satisfied
that there is something wrong going on bes
tween them. Still! don't want to act upon
mere suspicion, 80 I'll just set Phoebe to
watch. Then there's her brother He pre-
tends to lie partner in a store in York
and comes up here, dressed up in his 6nery,
to dazzle us country people. It's my opin-
ion that he ga'nbles. He has lots of
money. for I saw him pay the stage driver
from lot of bills five sand tens, the dri
yer said when asked him. Now don't
believe that any young man could ever earn
that amount honestly, and shan't rest un-
til l know the truth Of it. Her mother.
too! How do know that she was ever
married! I havn't got any proof of it!
She came into the village unknown to
anybody. She says that she's widow
Yes, grass widow. Now I'll venture to
assert that she is vixen, and has driven
the man to California, Or suicide. I'll know
all these things as sure rs I hive"
"Thers goes the new minister: He's the
most stuck.up parson that I ever knew.
he may be good and pious, but I'd like to
see some evidence of it. don't like his
attentions to Miss Pray. f'hers cant any
good come Of it. These ministers will al.
ways bsat Watching. offered to assist
him in visiting the poor, but he told me
that he didn't need my assistance. yet Miss
Pray and him often meet at sick beds, and
at the houses of the pootet heighbors. A
strange p'acs to carry on arbours. I'm de.
termined that our church shall be purified,
at all events. I wouldn't DISTRESS aGy one,
but III have the whole thing exposed"
"oh! yes doctor, you can ride in your
gig to te sure, but know it ain't paid for.
I'd just like to know what kind of nell.
cine he's giving to Mrs. Forceps. There's
something wrong there, too. She. a hear.
ty. healthy woman, and yet she's been con.
Aped to her house two weeks. and he c.,,s