The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-04-09
The Village Gossip.

The Village Gossip.
Gossip has come to be an ugly word.
with an uglier meaning; but what is
more detestable than person who is
given to meddling with other peoples
concerns so much as to deserve the
name? You know her, of course, for
she infests every community. She will
tramp over village, and in one day
will leave the homes and the reputa-
tons of the occupants as barren as q
field swept by hail storm. No sooner
does she enter by the back door than
her shrill voice startles you with:
"Good morning, Mrs. Smith; didn't
see you at church yesterday; thought
maybe the baby was sick. I've been
up to see Mrs. Jones; her boy has a
cold she thinks, but 1 know he is get
ting the scarlet fever. She's all tired
out, taking care of that trif1ing hus-
band. She says he has pneumonia, but
everybody knows what ais HIM. Martha
jackson was there, helping to nurse the
baby; but we know who she'll take care
of. By-the-way, did you hear that her
beau had Tilted herP Good thing for
her, I guess, for they do say he is poor
as Jobs turkey. She looks down.
hearted and forlorn enough. How do
you like, the new minister's wife? I
don't think she'll do. She was out in
another bonnet, yesterday. That makes
two. His salary can't support that;
and she's no housekeeper; her clothes
warn't on the line when I passed at
twelve o'clock. My butter-woman says
she takes four pounds of butter week;
and that is too extravagant for any
thing. What ais your eyes? They
are too red. Got something in ones
Shouldn't wonder if cream would help
it."
Her eyebrows are elevated in doubt
full way; and as she passed out through
the kitchen, she takes in the contents of
the table and stove at aglance, to report
to the next neighbor: "Just been in to
see Mrs. Smith; she looks dreadful;
been having an awful fuss about some
thing. Was crying when went in; her
eyes were fearfuIly red. Guess they
don't get along any better than they
should. Smith complains of hard times;
and l don't wonder, when l saw the
piles of cakes and pies in her kitchen;
and the swill bucket had good meal in
it. I expect what they say about his
going to ruin SO fast is true. That's
what he got for marrying a city girl.
Heard you had company, Saturday, and
think Mrs. Smith is little miffed, be-
cause she warn't invited. must hurry,
for am going up to Deacon Robinson's.
They are in peck of trouble. Their
son wants to marry the milliner's
daughter, and their daughter is coming
home with her child; expect to stay,
for they do say he ill-treats her. She
always was too high strung.'" Mr..
Brown comes home to dinner, and after
dining with the family, the gossip leaves
to detail to the next family how the
Browns had nothing for dinner, and
"they do say they never pay for a
thing, not even the pew rent. Iwonder
who can be writing to Sarah Brown?
Some say it is that horrid gambler, who
was here last summer. She was making
over that old blown silk for the fourth
time, to my knowledge"
Before she reaches home that night,
Mr.. Jones is dying of strong drink; his
boy is beyond hope with scarlet fever;
the Smiths are on the verge of di-
v0rce; the new minister is bankrupt;
Deacon Robinson's son has eloped with
the milliner's daughter; Browns fami-
ly are on the road to the poor-house;
and Sarah is to marry the city gam
bier.
This is what the gossip is in our town;
and there is a very striking family
likeness between them all. She is also
foremost in all church societies, and a
self-invited. guest wherever she can
squeeze in. When you find her among
your acquaintance, the sooner you
''cut" her the better. Bar the doors
against her, and when she has no visit
ing places, she will be forced to stay at
home and do the hardest thing she
ever undertook to do constantly
mind her own business. Bessie albert,
tn Farm and Home.
In the Gates murder trial at Ridge
Spring, S. c., the other day, q young
colored man said: 81 jes tell you, white
folks got no business gwine to black
folks parties, case darkies is not got
much sense no how, and when dey gifts
a quart of mean whisky dey jes as leave
kill dey selves as any other pusson."