The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-07-29
Tittle-Tatttle.

The disposition TO pry into the pri
vacy of domestic life is, unfortunately
very common, and is always dishonor-
able. The appetite for such knowledge
is to be regarded as morbid, and the in
diligence of it disgracetul.
A family have . sacred right to pri,
vacy In guarding the delicate rela-
tons of the household secrecy becomes
a virtue. Even if by chance the pri-
waite affairs of household arc laid
open to o stranger, honor would re
oure him to turn from them; and if a
knowledge of them were forced upon
him, they should be locked in sacred
silence. A double obligation ofsilence
and secrecy rests upon one who is a
guest in a iamily. The turpitude of a
betrayal of family history by visitor
is fur greater than theft would be. 1t
is a thing 50 scandalous that il should
degrade person, and put him out Of
society. TO betray the secrets of the
household is not only an odious i'm
morality, but it is sin and shame TO
be on good terms with those who are
known to commit such outrages. They
put themselves out Of the pale of de-
G&t society. They should be treated
as morul outlaws.
These hungry eyed wretchos who sit
in the unsuspicious circle Of the parents
and children, treasuring their words,
spying their weaknesses, misintcrprct-
ing the innocent liberties of the house
hold, and then run from house TO house
with their shameless news, are worse
than prisoners Of wells, or burners of
houses. They poison the faith of man
in man. Make no terms with such
people Tale bearers have no rights.
They are common enemies of good
men. Hunt, harry. and hound them
ont Of society. They arc worst Of
pests save one, and that is the listener
to the talebparer. There could be no
tattlng if there were no one to hear 1t
takes an ear and tongue to make a
scandal. Greedy listening is as dis
honorable as nimble tattling. The car
is the open market where the tongue
sells its iilgotten wares
Some there are that will not repeat
again what they hear, but they are will
ling to listen TO it. They will not trade
in contraband goods, but they will buy
enough ofthe smuggler for family use.
These respectable listeners are the pat
rons of tattlers, 1t is the ready mar
ket that keeps talebearing brisk. 1t is
ashame to listen to i'll Of your neigh
Dor Christian benevolcncc demands
that you do not love i'll news. A clean
heart and true honor rejoice in kind:
~ things. 1t should be pain and sor-
row TO know of anything that degradcs
neighbor in your eyes. even if he
Is your enemy; and how much more if
he is your friend?
The Scriptures say, "Thou shalt not
go up and down as A talebcarer among
thy people" "a talebearer revealeth
secrets; but he that is ola faithful (hon-
orable) spirit, couc ealeth the matter"
The words of the talcbearel are as
wounds that go down into the incr-
most parts of the belly" The He
brews thought that the affections had
their seat in tho bowels; and by this
phrase, Ego down into the innermost
paris Of the belly" they signify how
sharp and exasperating to the deepest
feelings OF our nature are the cruel Off
ces OF a common tattlcr. -"Wherc no
wood is the fire goeth out; so where
there is no talebearing the strife ceas-
eth" AS if he had said that so much
OF the strife Of society arises from tat
ling, that if that were cured, there
would hardly be any cause of quarrel
leit' Commend US to that religion
winch makes man humane with his
tongue and honorable with his car.