The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-10-03
fss'ps tao"'. Scientific. Historical
An Original WING Feature.
REPUTATION SLAYERS.


ment upon the formation and growth of
novels, furnish better topics for romance
and better variety and singularity of
character than any field yet opened to
the thoughtful explorer. In each small
town may be found oddly enough in
personal traits and originality of manner
among scores of both sexes to furnish
parsonage after parsonage for the narra-
tional mind to weave within its plot. 4
description of each characteristic ind-
vidual as he or she stands forth from
among the masses would surpass in ex-
tensive proportions the earlier produc-
tions of that school of noveists marked
by the leadership of G. p. r. James. In
the hands of another than a Romantst
they can be used alone as separate and
distinct examples in illustration of hui
man lesson. That upon which the
story teller will hang plot and incident,
summon up other beings to associate
with it in the fulfillment of his climax;
that which the novelist will trace from
youth to manhood or from girl to wo-
manhood and thence to age and decay
through scenes of the imagination, which
drape about the object mystery that
holds ones attention through a desire
for the final revelation, the rejecting
philosoph treats as a text capable of
supplying doctrine and theory for the
combat with our human faults.
Among the characteristic ingredients
of the village population stands forth,
with wide range of deductive elements
as the foundation text of massive
structural-sermon to be preached against
our human errors,-the Reputation
Slayer. We will not distinguish such a
being in sex, 1t may be male or female;
certain it is, such dark spots upon the
social escutchcon do exist in every moral
community. The more famous the vii
lage for its good and faithful servants,
just the more frequent appears this De-
mon, this destroy er of character. Appli-
cable indeed to this case is the probably
unfamiliar adage: The hungriest wolf
seeks the largest prey. 1t is in just such
communities, respectfully complimented
for then exceptional morality of tone
| and purity of action, that the Reputa-
ton Slayer loves to swing his sword, -
the two edged tongue of Spite and Sian
| der. There is hidden nature in man
| that replaces the wounded feelings with
spirit of overwhelming scorn when at
tackled by the Reputation Slayer. In
| the instructive perception and cautious
observation of the male spirit of low
nature, depraved appetite, and contemp-
tible smallness is found in the character
of the village demon. The proud hui
mainly of him attacked meets the as
saults with dignity, an innocence so
conspicuous, freedom so just that the
barbs of SANDER return to canker in the
flesh of their propeller. The hidden ma
ture in woman SO far differs from these
traits in her brother, SO unable is she to
bear the assaults of the slanderer that
strike upon her feelings, that all tender
appreciation of the life before her is
Slapped and stunted even in the Spring
of its growth. When the act of binding
the eyes of a friend to the virtues of a
friend and opening them to falsely repre-
sented vices of that comrade fails to fill
the heart of the Reputation Slayer, if
such things have hearts, with the salts
faction it anticipated then is his glory
attained in deeds of the tongue that
implicate some young woman, or wo-
men, in scenes that, publicly viewed,
rend into tatters her reputation, shattel
her character till it totters and falls in
| ruin:
Miss G. takes up her abode among the
villagers of a quaint rural district. She
becomes acquainted with Mr.. B. the
course and her clear perceptive qualities
discover the harsh and despicable nature
of her companion. By degrees, a.
swiftly as social usage will permit, she
exhibits her disgust for him. He leaves
her one night, after bitter scene, ant
instantly the poison in his nature en-
deavors to contamnate and degrade il
the eyes of his innocent fellow towns
men the moral character of Miss c. Hi.
smooth words flow in bitter denuncia
ton of his late FRIEND the vindictiv,
rhetoric is heard by the masses, Miss C
is treated indifferently, all sorts ant
conditions of gossiphood stories are con
cocted and circulated from mouth t.
mouth and ear to ear. Knowing her in
nocence, Miss G.. remains independent
looking up through the anguish of he
feelings to the strength and solace of {
spirit that comforteth and cheereth
But, for this one being, whom our socia
freedom permits to exist instead of con
demning it with thrice the venom i
would lesser criminal, the pleasure o
her life in that community is swep
barren as the sands of desert. Sh
moves among the throng haunted with
lost character, pursued by the phantom
of murdered reputation. And he, tn
c murderer? cruelty wetting his sword
self-satisfied with the duty CD he ha
performed, lies in wait for future vic
tins. So far, no degree of social dis
tinction has been able to absent itsel
from the Reputation Slayer. Wealt
and rank it assails with supreme delight
poverty and simple honor it wounds wit
:, pitiless disregard. Each one OF us is re
sponsiple for the presence of this demon
With our duty of happiness ever beior
e us, with the lengthy catalogue of lif
which we fulfill day by day, with tn
democratic comradeship that links tn
I separate particles, the distinctive atom
/, into the great whole, the centlality an
oneness of all,-IIumanity, no commu
nifty, large or small should tolerate in it
/, midst beings who, for insane desires an
y qualifications steal from their fellow
that imperial essential, that all of life
Reputation. Among the holy of hol,
:. virtues the one, reputation, stands first
In it lies the honor, the independence
the truth, the nobility, the physical ant
mental swarth and vigor of man. Eacl
and all adding their handful to the grea
central heart of human sympathy, ex
changing with the oppressed, pity, t,
: the oppressor rendering reformator
y creeds, we may alone accomplish thos
reversals in the daily intercourse whc
, | transform the envenomed slanderer to
| philanthrOpiC DISPENSER of the milk q