Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-06
VILLAGE GOSSIP.

in cities-ignorant, perhaps, Of the name !
and occupation Of their. nextdoor neighbors. |
Thrice pleased, indeed, for his inducement
to SANDER is modified by reason Of an ig- !
norance Of subjects for the indulgence of
idle gossip. Blessed again, that if he be
disposed to gable, auditors who can appre-
ciate may be unacquainted with the ma :.
ligued-thus he avoids the imputation of
the weakness. And blessed again, that his
insignificance is his protection from the
poisoned shaft. Where SO many live the
most fluent tongue cannot discuss them all.
The shifting panorama of everyday city
life, with its changing faces, furnishes 10
great variety that even the most actively
malicious mind cannot give thought, either
idle or otherwise, to them all.
In view Of these facts, whoever lives in
the village might well add to Cowper's
lines
"Oh for lodge in some vast wilderness
Some boundless contiguity Of shade" -.
some such alternative as this
oh that my home we're fixed iu city walls,
Midst restless throngs that would me hide.
The average villsger possesses amending
capacity for gossip, and on his lips the gos-
sip assumes a Kaleidoscope variety of
changes.
summer loungcl, away on the streets
Of country town, beneath the friendly
shelter of the stoop, with ribbons of whit
things around the feet, is not time misspent
by the contemplative student of human
nature. Food for profound thought and
profitable reflection is to be found whcr-
ever the loafng crowd do most congregate.
This statement Of place will exclude "wo-
mankind" for-thank that Providence who
does yet exert some influence in society
woman is restrained by custom to her
sphere. Sphere is q good word, sounding
familiar, yet certainly never used before in
connection with the name, woman. Yes,
to her sphere; and her gossip is heard only
| in the pauses between the rattle Of the
sewing machine; in social calls; i'll neigh
borly talk over cross fences, or in the inter
change of condolences when cup of ground
! coffee 10 borrowed or . washboard returned
To the date of this writing women don't
gossip on the streets-that is left for the
men to do, and we'll they discharge the
duty, giving to the consideration of another
persons private life depth of research, a
flow of language and exhaustion Of argu-
ment that would make the fame and for
tune of an advocate certain.
Did any one of my gentle readers ever
study the male habit of gosSippy browsing'
If not, let me sugges. the points Of advan'
tage for a favorable observation OF the
masculine weakness. Sit on the hot days
with the crowd about the store-doors and
Oh the shady side of houses. The passage
of Mr.. Bcze, on y lately purchased mule
furnishes a theme of incalculablc vain"
The quality of the animal aud his owner:
ability 10 pay for him are disposed of in the
same breath. The viciousness of the beast
suggests like defects in his rider. An easy
transition is made TO the Pecnliaritirs o.
Be,es wife and family. His children Art
not turning out well, for WA not the eldest
boy drunk only a few days before, and the
daughter will marry q certain shiftless
ne'er do we'll, whose only charm is his goos
looks! "Beze did not seem much affected
Mt the funeral of his mother-in-faw,' say
one, and no one suggests that in such lack
of grief Others might we'll sympathize will
Bexe.
But the retiring friend is disposed of, fo
new impetus is given to the conversation
when the two +. girls cross the line OF tn
, oilers vision. They are growing old,
They will not soon marry" 1T is abou
: time they were, or they'll soon be on tn
old maid list" "How do they manage t.
dress 30 well'- is the unanimous query
= and the fact Of their universal neat an
stylish appearance is commented on In sncl
a manner that the stranger would thin
that their good clothes were procured b.
disreputable practices, either by their PAL
euts or themselves.
!, But one Of the loungers suggests that
citizen has made an investment in land
straightway the surmises come thick An
II strong, "where did the money come fror
/, to make the purchaser Perhaps he bough
i. on credit What will he do with farl
e anyway" "He has now rs much az he ca
, attend to anyhow "Why did the seller di
If pose Of his bomei he must certainly be har
b upw "well, the fact is that he had to Sc
e or let the sheriff sell for him.. SurIni'