The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-07-21
GOSSIP.

cnOulu any one OF our readers De
asked to define "a gossip the almost
instantaneous answer would be lone
who ~tattles; a disagreeable, mischief
making person. Referring to Webster,
you will perhaps be surprised to learn
that the word gossip is derived from the
Anglo-Saxon godsibb, meaning ssa spon-
ser; one who answers for a child in
baptism,
Let us look back, then, over the past
centuries, and as our eyes become ac-
customed to the darkness, we are at
length able to discern the dim figure of
the gossip standing before Gods altar,
taking-solemn vows to eyer guide, to
watch over and to pray for the little
child presented by the priest. Even as
we gaze upon this scene with reveren-
tial awe, it slowly but surely fades
away, and in the steady light of the
nineteenth century, we behold a most
singular figure, in dragged, tattered
garments, journeying along life's high
way with jaunty, positive air. The
priest, the altar, and the little child
have vanished; we find nothing famil-
lar in the face regarding US with such
pert inquiry, yet we read on the brand
ed head Gossip" While we stand
chagrined before this strange creature,
wondering il it be possible that in the
long, long ago it was she who stood
pledged to guide through life the infant
committed to her trust, she bends
towards US suddenly with weird, i'm
p~ortant air, asking: "Have you heard
the news?" Then with nervous, eager
fingers she opens the soiled, well-stuffed
bag upon her arm, producing there
from ISLANDERS, falsehoods, scandals, etc.,
ETC., all CLEANED and garnered by care
full diligent hands. We look at her in
sad establishment, while our hearts cry
out: "Alas ! that passing years should
have wrought so cruel a chance Once
you were honored In the sanctuary, now
you are a wandering scourge on the
face Of the earth.n su
And now let us earnestly ask all in
our "Magic City, IL we can truthfully
say there is n among US whose doors
never admit this prying, mischief max
ing creature? Do we not listen, with
ears all too-attentive, to i'll reports
about u n~eighbors, and, listening are
We not falling into the evil habit of
commenting In answer, with u wise
wag Of the head: ~ thought So" or,
81 told you SOP"
Modern gossips may be classified n
der three heads, as follows: harmless,
thoughtless and malicious. With these
last two only, have we to deal. and that
harshly, in our daily walk and CONVEX
%sation, and towards such the cry should
be n quarter !" Where is the wit or
the heart Of the woman who holds the
following converse with her visitor,
whose husband happens to be in an In
dian country: "You feel pretty anx-
ious about your husband, don't you?"
"Well, not more than usual" "Why
hav'nt you seen to-day's paperp" The
heart of the poor lady gives a sudden
bound, and then her pulse stands still,
as she family answer NO." while
Madame mercilessly continues: ssThen
you didn't know his party and all at
the Agency are in great danger of be-
ing massacred by the India nsp"
Again, to show that man is not be-
hind his sister in the desire to keep his
friend, well informed, we hear Bob call
ing out: 81 say, Jim, did you get your
telegram" Telegram What tele-
gramp" Why I left it with H, to give
to you; your father is dead"
Malicious gossip is far too well known,
l fear, to need minute description.
She is much given to emulating the
Pharisee of old, and begins her CONVEX
sation with you something after this
fashio n: IF you only knew all that /
do Of your next door neighbors, you
wouldn't think Of recognizing them.
But then, l would not say a word to
injure any one." Thus your mind is
poisoned, insensibly, perhaps, yet you
cannot but realize that your honest
friendship toward your neighbor is re-
placed by suspicion and vague c~onjec-
ture.
Dear readers, shall we give to this
pest of society the freedom of our little
cityp Should we not be willing, rather.
to ask: "Is it IP'' lis it I?'' and after
honest self examination to cry: "Pec-
cavi 7" resolving to aver keep before
our minds those expressive lines from
De Musset-"Whoever tells only what
she knows, gives everything that she
has, and does all she can, rs not expect
ed to do more"
The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph of the
10th inst, has the following:C
1t is sweet to know that while the
people out on the western frontier are
wrestling with the redskins in defense
of their scalps, nearly a full regiment
of federal soldiers are stationed at
Atlanta to defend the people of Georgia
from-blamed il we know what.
BY all means send that regiment to
the western frontier. "a s