The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-01
FOR FEMININE READERS
DIFFICULTY PEOPLE FIND IN SPEAK
ING WELL OF EACH OTHER.
Thin Gowns for Midsummer-Ideas in
Artistic Furnishins-VaIue of Veg
etabIes-Various Hints.

1t seems to be the hardest thing in life for
people to speak unqualified good of one an
other, says Kate Epson Clark, in the Wom-
ans Home Companion. This is especially
true if the speaker has a reputation to
maintain for wit or acumen. 1t looks, she
says idiotically amicable to subscribe
without a protest to all the "gush" which
is uttered regarding ones acquaintance.
What a lovely woman
YES; good-looking, well-gowned, fair
talker and almost tiresomely amiable. 1t
is said that she will never hurt her serv-
ants 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 each other.
With all their admirable traits. l am told
that they quarrel necessarily"
THE Loftyminded Club is a rare collec-
ton 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 ad-
vice concerning the club before you cast a
slur upon it? If a woman really asked coun-
sci of you with regard to joining the club,
you would be justified in giving what you
believed to be the facts regarding it; other
wise you are not.
Il think that you know Mrs. L. init
mately"
"Oh, yes; we have known each other for
years. But though we are on good terms |
do not approve of her in all respects"
That qualifying clause quite blotted out
whatever effect might have been produced
by the rest of your remark. The woman was
not socially prominent. You were afraid
that you might be COMPOUNDED with her
especial set" rather than another which
you feel to be higher. You did a cowardly
thing.
Yet you may say such things as these,
and pride yourself upon your freedom from
vulgar backbitng. You say that you always
credit people with their good qualities; you
simply do not think it just to ascribe per-
fections to them without making it under
stood that you do not indorse them in all
respects-which might as we'll be Jumped
in with backbiting, for all the difference
there is between them.
The detractor-the especial species of
backbiter under discusson-is first cousin
to the talebearer. Yet many woman who
would scorn to repeat a damaging story
will not hesitate to declare an unfavorable
opinion, II it is tackled onto a word of ap-
prevail and will even hail such an oppor-
tunity for indicating her discrimination
one eminent woman recently evaded such
an opportunity with grace.
What do you think of Mrs. DIP" was
asked of her.
Mrs. d. was another famous woman, and
was noted for her cool treatment of her
contemporaries. The queStioner, who had
long admired Mrs. ID. from afar, had re-
Gently been astonished by Mrs. ID. S peculiar
manner upon closer inspection.
The lady under tribute hesitated, colored
slightly, and replied: Il do not know her
very we'll 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 perpleXing and difficult, that
l have had very little chance to become
really acquainted with her"
Another lady, well known among the best
circles of a large city, never, although she,
like all of us, has suffered at the hands of
the naughty, allows herself to be betrayed
into the slightest detraction. She has al
ways an answer ready for every conner. 1t
contains no drop of bitterness. Her con-
duct has furnished a model for hundreds
who long to be, if not Christians, at least
ladies.