The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-02-05
Hideous Creatures Held to
Lace-COYered Bosoms.
ELLA WHEELER ON GOSSIP.
Gossip the Offspring of IdIehess and
Envy-Men More Fearless in their
Gossip than Women. "
(Copyrighted, 1857. J

~A~-~'~A@@Ns
The great feminine social evil of thu
day is gossip. re 1spa 3s a
This vice is hideous creature, with
malicious eyes, an open, arooElne
mouth, rayenous, woH-like teeth, and
pestilential breath.
Yet. despite all these disgusting at
tributes, it is held to many lace Gov
cred bosom, and entertained in many a
family circle. 1t stands in the parlo1
and goes forth from the communion
table to cast its venom over the limo
cent victims of its malignity. It whirls
IN the ballroom and sits at the table OF
the refined hostess. cdr 4i
The women who gossip are not con-
lined to any circle or locality. have
met them in the wild prairies of the
West, and tried to find excuse for their
propensity to gossip in the poverty OF
their existence, and the lack of employ
ment for their. minds. I have met
them also in the circles OF wealth and
culture, and wondered how, in the
agreeable surroundings of art, music,
and literature, they could sioop to the
mire of scandal for pastime.
| have heard ignoble gossip fall from
the lips OF ignorant women, and felt
pity. | have heard it drop from the
brilliant lips of genius, and felt dlsgast.
Ihe most dangerous type of gossiper
IS not the woman who has won a re-
nown in her profession. Her notoriety
is our protection. We are on our guard
in her presence. We speak eau tiously
and listen indifferently, and she is only
able to iniure where she is not known.
Far more to be dreaded is the really
good-hearted but indlscreet and garru-
lous woman who loves 10 impart infor-
nation. know some excellent wives
and mothers, devout church members.
and tireless workers for charity. who
would be indignant were they classed
among the despised gossips.
Yet these same women have related
in my presence the outliyed errors of
people whom I loved and respected.
They have brought out the folded and
hled-away follies, long hid in the dusty
pigeon holes of the past, for my eyes to
peruse in the glaring light of the pres
ent. They Gid not mean to be malici-
GUS, they simply lacked the strength of
mind to be silent concerning an old tale
which could in no wise benefit me to-
hear. 1t was the love of Importing in
formation, the impulse to astonish
rather than any wish to injure. But
its effect was pernicious and harmful.
II God forgives an erring and repent
ant soul, why should men bar its pro-
gress toward the heights of purity by
standing in its path and shaking an ac-
cusing finger? ----, -
There is no duty, Christian or human.
which justifies US in coun,enancine or
unfolding the deeds of immoral peo-
pie,
If l liys in defiance OF law and de-
cency, my neighbor is justified in warn
ing his friends to avoid intimacy with
me-. Yet let him not be afraid to give
that warning in my hearing, else he has
committed the great evil of gossip.
We are known in measure by the
company we keep. If people outrage
the prophecies or ignore the command
ments, they have no right to expect
the companlonship of the law-abidiug
citizens. But we must remember
There never yet was noble man but
caused ignoble talk" and a Sensible
and just person should pay no heed to
gossip till he has investigated its
authenticity. or., ls..-.f - =. -
l define gossip as any uncompli-
mentary remarks which we would not
dare to make in the presence of the OBJ
Ject discussed.
When we speak one disparaging word
which we would regret to have that per
son hear, we have committed gossip.
which ought TO be forbidden by an
eleventh commandment, since some of
the worst troubles the world knows
arise from it.
Gossip never reformed any soul or
righted any wrong. 1t seldom arises
from any feeling of outraged propriety,
it may seek to assume this
air. When 1dleness WEEDS Envy, Cos
sip Is their offspring. Yet am sur
prised to see how many busy and in
du trious minds find time to entertain
this unworthy guest.
The small country town is supposed
to be the hot-bed of gossip. But [ have
observed that the larger the congrega-
ton of human beings. the greater the
OF gossip in circulation.
In small towns people criticize in
small matters, which pass unnoticed in
the large cities. But1n the cities gossip
is quite as prevalent, and is uspally of
a more Yiruient type.
l remember once leaving the house Of
kind friends who had entertained me
charmingly, and meeting another friend
on the street, spoke with delight and
gratitude of the pleasant time had en-
joyed. The lady looked grave, sighed,
and then said she felt it her painful
duty to inform me that the friends who
had been so. kind to me were dangerous
people to. know, as their past history
bore a shadow upon its pages. I
walked on, and was joined by another
friends widow-a few blocks down
the street. This lady mentioned hav-
ing seen me in conversation with the
person whom had just left. -
II hope you are not on intimate
Terms with her, she said. .irs.You know
here are many people who believe her
irst marriage wss-well, no matter, but
AID 70 horo k01l -.