Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-02-02
FEBRUARY 2, 1866.

intended, Lena. There's great oeai OF
thoughtless shining in the world"
81 know there is, auntie bat it is
shame for grown-up men and women to
plead in extenuation Of their uncharitable
speech and unneighborly action, l never
thought Why don't they Think No
harm intended?' Suppose the person SO
freely remarked upon by Mrs. Wilson's
company this afternoon had suddenly stood
in our midst do you think there was
face there that wouldn't have colored with
shame, an eye that wouldn't have quailed;
head that wouldn't have dropped in gull
ty confession Do you suppose there was
an individual present who would have
worn the appearance Of an honest, well-
meaning, kindly disposed person, who
made Christ's Golden Rule guiding pre-
cept ofNfe, and did truly love her neigh
Dor as herself Nay; but in the counte-
nance of every one would have been writ
ten the instant wish Open earth, and
swallow me- and in the manner of each,
when the momentary embarrassment was
past, would have appeared a painful obse-
quousness and difference towards the
slandered party--a ferceptible desire to
modify in some way thu unhappy express
sion--a feeble attempt to undo the mis-
chief by explaining that mo- that thing but
the other thing was meant-and all, not
from any compunction that uncharitable
words had been spoken, but simply and
only from regret that they had been over
heard by ears for which they were not de-
signed. No harm intended / tell you
we do all intend harm whether we ara
ready to acknowledge it or not-whether
we are wholly conscious Of it or not
when we speak of others as we would not
be spoken of--when we say Of another in
his absenc what we would not dare TO say
in his presence. Of all our vices, this
abominable practice known by the homely
but significant name Of backbiting,' is,
think the very worst. To meet our neigh
Dor and acquaintance with the utmost cor
diality and apparent good feeling |; to gt
to his house with expressions of friendly
regard and interest in his concerns tt
partake OF his hospitality, and to urge oul
own upon him 10 return; and then Il
turn about, and, to the next one met. des
cant upon his follies, ridicule his oddities
and impart all the little items that we hav,
gathered respecting his affairs--this,
say, is not only most unkind, unchristian
ly, and fragrant violation of the Colder
Rule, but it is positively inhuman, abso
iutely devilish."
Gustave elevated his eyebrows. & Yor
use very violent language, young lady"
1t is such as expresses my thought
honored critic.'a aa.a
but are you not doing now the ver,
thing which you condemn SO strongly 7?
+ What, dear sir 2"
Speaking of the frailties of your neigh
hors as you would not if they we're pres
ent. Or am to understand that you un
corked your indignation and poured ou
the vials Of your wrath upon the congre
cation in this present fashion 2"
If did not, it was because / feare
such proceeding might be productive 9
more harm than good. My worthy uncl
here doesn't incline to think that any yer
beneficial results ever fow from what b
is pleased to term my gunpowder expl'
, sicns, and l, as q natural consequ enc
have imbibed some Of his doubts, and {
try, on occasions, TO keep this dangero
quality of mine somewhat in subjection.-
. But | have included myself with tho
whom my present remarks condemn.
! do frankly confess that am often gull
of the vice of evil speaking
a Ought you not to be more leniel
, then, towards those who offend in Ii
manner? ?"
5 "Not a whit, oh, excellent catechist !
' Shall / justify another in doing what
: condemn in myself? Is sin less abho
enf, and less to be censured, because
commit it ]? Nay, / do all the mo
loathe and reprobate it, feeling in myst
what monstrous evil il is"
S have been thinking," here broke
the rector, whose thought seemed not
J, keep pace with his niece's rapid speee
I " have been thinking how much mo
4 forcible is good example than all preac
e ing in this case. can imagine how O
: gentle, loving, pure.souled woman mig
t have introduced new spirit into yo
: company to-day and by few fitly-spo
: en- words, as the occasion offered, turn,
n the conversation into pure channels, a
# directed it towards worthy subjects"
!; ;. Can you, indeed, my dear uncle r.
5 Helena asked, skeptically-s can you il
b agine linnet with a song in its mou
II