Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-11-15
GOSSIP

While il would scarcely be just to say
that all the gossip in the world is Set
afioat by woman, we fear that she IS
possessed Of the demon to a much greater
extent than man. If this gossip we're
always harmlcssth the evil oftattling would
be less Unfortunately, however, this
is not the case Not only are matters of
but little consequence rolled Under the
tongue like sweet morsel, but charac-
tiers are torn to shreds, and circumstances
that should be covered over by the veil
of silence are ruthlessly exposed by the
gossip The moro disgracefdl the evcut
the greater pleasure does the tattler take
in its discussions, the more earnest is she
in her efforts TO disseminate the shocking
tidings. She knows no fear, and alasl
she knows no mercy she has got hold
of something worth talking about, and
hugs it to her heart as q treasure of great
price. This eagerness to gossip about
the affairs Of others.is terrible flaw in.
the character Gossip is rarely good
naiured. She goes about with poisor-
ed dagger. She is the meanest goddess
to worship, because she is full Of malice
and all uncharitableness. She strikes in
the dark and knows no pity. 1ao
The Greeks represented the Harpies
as women Of frightful countenances, with
serpents in their hair and holding the
torch of dscord Were we to paint the
gossips of society, the modern Harpies,
it is thus that we should portray them
women of frightful countenances, with
kissing serpents twined in thor hair, and
holding the torch of discord. a.9iaeH,
In 1909 an edict was issued at ST.
Helena for the punishment of gossips-
The ordinance was as follows; @d' u y
"Whereas, several idle gossiping wo-
men make it their business to go from
house to house about this island invent
ing and Spreading false and scandalous
reports Of the good people thereof, and
thereby sowing discord and debate among
neighbors, aud often between men and
their wives. to the great grief and trouble
of all good people, and to the utter ex-
tinguishing of all friendship, amity and
good ncighborhood, for the punishment
and suppression whereof, and to the in
tent that all strife may be ended, charity
revived and friendship continued, we do
order that II any woman from henccforth
shall be convicted of tale-bearing. mis-
chief-making, scolding or any other no.
torious vices, they shall be punished by
ducking or whipping or such other pun
ishment as their crimes or transgressions
shall deserve, or the governor and coun-
Gil see fit. iHHj o o.
After so terrible threat as this, no
doubt the women restrained their tlngues,
tranquility and peace we're restored and
the reign of gossip was forever over at
st. Helena. ~, .-I.ns
| MAN AND WoMAy.--Mrs. Roberts, in
the Washington Capitol, very truly re-
marks: Marrying a man to reform
him is like being measured for an UNI
brella. 1t may or it may be jsatisfac-
tory; but you might as well try 30 make
a politician honest as to talk to woman
who loves a man. No matter how worth
less he may be, she will brave every
thing for him. and / wouldn't give d
snap for her if she didn't. Not long
since, on the avenue, saw a. man, re-
spectacle looking, in helpless state of
iDtoxioatlon, and policeman on each
side of him going to the station house
| hehiud hin, mos h;s ,y;ca N wanna, ,:.o
looking, well-dresscd woman. She paid
no attention to the rabble following, or
the wondering looks of tho passers-by,,
but stuck by him, trying to pacify
1uict him. could not help think
ing how little a man would stand by d
woman. Man is Of the 'noblcr' sex and
a superior being, but be will get u
woman in trouble, and then leave her TO
get out the best she can"