The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1897-10-23
A WAY OF THE WORLD.
People Are Prone 90 Speak Detracf-
fngIy OF One Another.

IL seems TO be the hardest tnlng IN
| life for people to speak unqualified
good of one another. This is especially
true il the speaker has reputation to
maintain for wit or acumen. 1t looks,
he says, so idiotically amicable TO sub
scribe without a protest TO all the
"gush' which is uttered regarding
ones acquaintance.
What n lovely woman!"
"Yes; good looking, well gowned, a
fair talker and almost tiresomely
amiable. 1t is said that she will never
hurt her servants feelings by scolding
them, and that is probably the reason
why her house is really one of the most
untidy in town"
Why add this little titbit of scandal?
Could not the speaker be trusted TO
find out the unsavory fact, if fact it
were, for himself?
"Mr. and Mrs. G. are handsome
couple"
Yes; almost too handsome, for it
makes them outrageously jealous of
traits, am told that they quarrel in
cessantly."
THE Lofty-minded club is rare col
lection of women"
"Yes, speaking broadly; but there
are three or four members who kill it
for me-"
Why not wait until you are asked for
advice concerning the club before you
cast slur upon il? If a woman really
asked counsel Of you with regard to
joining the club, you would be justified
in giving what you believed TO be the
facts regarding it; otherwise you are
not.
Il think that you know Mrs. Ii in
"Oh. yes; we have known each other
for years. But Enough we are on good
terms, l do no, approve of her in all
respects"
That qualifying clause quite blot
ted out whatever effect might have
been produced by the rest of your re-
mark. The woman was not socially
prominent. 70. were afraid that YOU
might be COMPOUNDED with her especial
"set," rather than another which YOU
feel to be higher. You did cowardly
thing.
Yet you may say such things as these,
and pride yourself upon your freedom
from vulgar backbiting. You say that
you always credit people with their
good qualities: you simply do not think
it just TO ascribe projections to them
making il understood that you
do not indorse them in all respects
which might rs we'll be dumped in"
with backbiting, for all the difference
there is between them.
The detractor-the especial especies
of backbiter under discussions first
cousin to the talebearer. Yet many
woman who would scorn to repeat a
damaging story will not hesitate 10 de-
clare an unfavorable opinion, if il is
tackled onto a word of approval. and
will even hail such An opportunity for
her discrimination. One
eminent woman recently evaded such
an opportunity with grace.
What do you think of Mrs. D--?'
was asked her.
Mrs. D. was another famous worn-
an, and was noted for her cool treat
ment of her contemporaries. The ques-
toner, who had long admired Mrs.
D from afar, had recently been as
tonished by Mrs. D-'s peculiar man
ner upon closer inspection.
The lady under tribute hesitated,
colored slightly, and replied: II do not
know her very well. We have lived side
by side for years, as you know, but she
seems to be so absorbed with her own
affairs, which | am told are very per-
picking and difficult, that have had
very little chance to become really ac-
quainted with her"
Another lady, well known among the
best circles of large city, never. al
though she, like all of us. has suffered
ut the hands of the naughty, allows
herself to be betrayed into the slightest
detraction. She has always an answer
ready for every conner. 1t contains no
drop of bitterness. Her conduct has
furnished model for hundreds who
long TO be, if not Christians, at least
ladies.-Kate Epson Clark, in Woman's
Home Companion.