Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-06-19
Vol. XIV. Whole No. 1870. Ne. Is.
Hnbitunl fnult.Ftuders.

| We once heard OF a family who spent
| their summer evenings at the front door,
| making remarks about people who passed.
The spirit OF criticism and gossip so laid
| mold OF them, that when the winter came
| they could hardly stay away from the par
or windows, and usually posted one of the
children To report when any enc was con-
| Ing. The signal brought the mother and
daughters away from tho midst Of pressing
care. Brooms were dropped, hands taken
| from the half-kneade1 dough, dinners were
allowed to burn. and babies to ery--every-
thing was given up for the time being
rather than miss the sight of a neighbor,
and know for certainty how she walked
and what she had on. The disposition to
10 this seemed 10 be hereditary trait,
which was likely to grow stronger. from
the fact that Il was SO assiduously eulti-
vated. The grandmother was reported 10
| know more about other peoples business
than anybody else, and the little ones OF
the third ganeration, 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 facts. People were a little shy OF
the connection, and were careful how they
spoke even In the presence OF the old lady's
grandchildren. Anything said by 4 mem
Der OF that family was received with some
grains OF allowance. The mischieyous
girls of the town amused themselves by
watching this propensity. They would d.
vide themselves into squads. Que Of which
would call, and allow the other TO pass, TO
see what remark would be made. Then
those who had passed would return aud
stop. aud allow the first party to leave, al
/ iordlug an opportunity for criticism upon
them. Then there would be a comparing
OF notes, and 4 "cali altogether" Just To
note how serene hypocrisy could be. There
was not, there could not be, any confidence
IN tnose people. They We're instncere, and
every body knew 1t. Even the prOtlers Of
Kindness they made in cases of dome site
aitllction and Distress were uot accepted
when it cOulI be he helped; for there was
a constant dread that the sanctitles OF the
,ick-chambcT would be violated, and fanl-
y affairs not only exposed, bat miscou-
strHed and exaggerated, 50 as to be pro-
ducuye OF false and unpleasant impres-
,ious. No one feels safe In the presence
of such persons Even though people may
never think ut believing what they say they
are Gisturbiu. element III any community,
aHd every true person breads them ls the
coils of a viper, even though is bite may
aave been rendered harmless. Falsehood
Is loathsomc, and 4 relief 4 felt when men
get away trOr' il.
I /, j. needless 10 say that such persons
ar" more open 70 criticism than any one
else, aud that the faults and fu!bieS they
caarge upon others, are the best indicators
nt 'l'.c uWn brse'tiuS sins. The phiios-
ophy Of pnlrtsee.sm is a. patent nov as it
was lu the days ot our Saviour upon earth.
tuchari,ah.c remarks about the character
or cnud4er oI others, OF even about their
Lgr-~ ur taste words oftcG 50 uHAiui aud
w34uU5uI might. tu uiuety-Htue cases uut