The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-04-05
Gossip.


EAbout three-tenths of all gossip belongs
to the Falsehood Family. Nearly the
same proportion arises from the per-
nicioue influence of two of the bitterest
foes of mankind, Envy and Hate. The
remainder is the direct offspring of the
Satanic defendants, Tattling and malic-
ious Exaggeration.
1t would seem that nothing more need
be said to convince even the stranger to
this singular genus of the abstract, that
it is OF nefarious origin and a species of
existence not altogether precarious and
innocent. Its mission is injury. 1t finds
a home not only in the abodes of ignor-
ance, but sometimes insinuate itself into
the precincts of refinement. 1t has a
mushroom growth, and lives mostly on
the dry bones of divorces, female attire,
the broils and discords of society, sue
cessful and unsuccessful love affairs,
shattered remnants of broken ties, skele-
tons of present-past actions of mankind,
and eccentricities of men who come be-
fore the public as lecturers. preachers,
lawyers, editors, doctors, teachers and
whatnots. The gossiping tribe has a
wider range than any other known. In
places from the smallest town to the city
full; on land and on sea- in circles, pri-
vate and public, it dwells, it thrives it
moves in it's misunderstanding way. MOI
is this invidious pry-into-itive class OF
times and seasons. The bitter, chilling
blasts of winter but drive it from the
pleasant, busy streets and the delightful
summer spot by the
Hawthorn bush with seats beneath the shade
For talking age and whispering lovers made"
to the blazing fireside of home and mart
and zoGti1ag-pzace. 1t succumbs neither
to the wet season of Spring time, nor tc
the drouth of Autumn. Through the
former it thrives under the canopy Of
darkness, giving both to those germs Of
scandal unheard of before; during the
latter it fits beneath the cloudiest skies
and seeks the GOODNESS found in
the rapidity of motion, and-stin lives
Without it, homes would be happier
schools more prosperous, and churches
more efficient. Is there happy home
Soon the poisonous tongue of Gossip seeks
an entrance, that even there it may sling
its venomOuS slime.
There is scarcely a community il
which there is not one or more of these
adders of the Gossiping species, gaddins
about from place to place kissing theil
vile CAB into unwilling (?) and distressed
ears, marring happiness, mangling society
poisoning the minds of the youth, ant
causing broils and discords. Nor is thu
bulwark of the church proof against thu
missiles hurled by Gossip; but her wall!
having been broken, even the most de
vout followers of the Master become vic
Tins. Not even the divine standing il
the sacred desk, escapes. DishearteneC
by difficulties, perpleXed by dissensions
discouraged by an untold number of dis
tracing circumstances known only tt
himself, he is still called on to endure
with patience, the vile tittle-tattle o.
some busy body, or the more scandalou.
venom of full grown Gossip. Few
schools can boast entire freedom from thi:
dangerous infection. Serpent-like il
creeps into peaceful and forbidden places
carrying with it the seeds of discomfort
ment and ruin. 1t springs from the
nearest incident; lives and thrives OF
''airy nothings." Many a school, once
prosperous, has been shattered and rem
dered useless by scandalous tittle-tattle
The bright prospects of teachers once
successful, have been blighted and theil
labor made appear comparatively worth
| 1pcC Of hn
sense talked up and carried about by
some silly prattlers who seem to find il
this the chief aim and highest enjoyment
of life. Nor is this all of the mischievous
results, for, alas! too many parents not
unfrequently giving wide credence to this
tattling talk, find in it more faithful
source of converx alton than in the better
and more useful subjects of the books
and studies in which the children are, OF
ought to be engaged. All, what deceit
full and mischief-worker in the school is
Gossip, thrusting it's poison into the very
vitals of education.
| Gossip! 1t is the lecturers quinine
the minister's upas sirup, the lawyers
strychnine, the editors loathsome dose
the doctors bitterest pill, and the teach.
er's most deadly potion. o ye tattling
| busy-idle, mischief making Gossips, when
will the value of science, the beauty OF
literature, and the love of right have
charms for you? OF all the vile things
that live in the waters or dwell upon
land, the Gossip is the meanest.
G. ATEN.