St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-03-22
BabSsuaI Fau:t Finders,

making remarks about people who
passed. The spirit of criticism and Cos
sip so laid hold of them that when wins
ter came they could hardly stay away
from the pa1lor windows, and Usually
posted one Of their children to report
when anyone was coming. The signal
brought the mother and daughter away
from the midst of pressing care. Brooms
were dropped, hands taken from the half
kneaded dough, dinners were allowed to
burn and babies to cry-everythipg was
given up for the tine being rather than
miss the sight of a neighbor, and know
for 4 certainty how she walked and what
she had on. The disposition to do this
seemed to be hereditary trait, which
was likely to grow stronger from the tact
that it was so assiduonsly cultivated.
The grandmother was reported to know
more about other peoples business than
any body else, and the little ones of the
third generation, before they had reached
the first decade Of their years, had
learned to look into windows, construct
stories out of limited material, and even
invent them without any foundation.
People werea little shy OF the connection
and were careful how they spoke even
in tie presence of the old lady's grand
children. Anything said by member
of that family was received with come
| grains of allowance.
The mischievous girls of the town
amused themselves by watching this
propensity. They would divide them
selves into squads, one of which would
call, aud allow the other to pass, to see
what remark would be made. Then
those who had passed would .eturn and
stop, and allow the first party 10 leave,
ahording an opportunity for criticism
upon them. Then there would be q
comparing of notes, and "call alto"
pether," lust to note how serene hypoc-
risy could be.
There was not, there could not be, any
confidence in those people. They were
insiucere, and everybody knew it. Even
the proffers of kindness they made in
cases of domestic affection and distress
were Tot accepted, when it could be
helped for there was 8 constant dread
that the saactities of the sick chamber
would be violated, and family affairs not
only exposed, but misconstrued and ex
AGGREGATED, 70 as to be productive o.
false and unpleasant impressions.
No one feels safe in the presence o.
such persons. Even though people may
never think OF believing what they say
thew are a disturbing element In any
community, and every true person
breads them as the coils of 8 viper, ever
though the bite may have been rendered
harmless. Falsehood Is loathsome ane
relief ia felt when men get away
from it.
. It is needless to say that such persons
are more open to criticism than anyon
else, and that the faults and toible
, thew charge upon others are the bes
: indicators of their own besetting sins
The philosophy of Phariseeiam is q
patent now as it was in the days OF on
Savior upon earth. Uncharitable re
marks about the character or conduct c
others. or even about their dress or tast
words often so unkind end Woundin
might, in ninety>nine cases out of
- hundred, be applied with more justie
- to the person uttering them tina
- to those in regard to whom they al
~ uttered, and, as general thing, SENSIBLE
4 observant people zee this. The urchi
: who laughs loudest at the paper pinne
\ to the coat OF his companion, sboul
- see to it that the bigger one on his ow
" back is not causing most metrimen
: There was wisdom in holding up Il
- mirror 20 that the basilisk could zee i
~ own face.
- Why people should defiant In iookll
upon the faults of others, even If real,
~. a question that can be answered only
49, the ground of perverted human natul
of which is prone to hate its neighber; b
- such persons help to add to the sorro
of the world, and inhict misery up
No themselves. The difficulty is one Il
concerns personal character The ma
own inward spirit, rather than the fob
- of his fellows, is what is to be correct'
- and never was there a more necessa
~ prayer than, "From all uncharitab
-. ness, good Lord, deliver us. 1.-The N
liza Eenger.
in 4 Cheerful HaaEs.
int A merry and cheerful oountena