The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1900-01-13
DEAD FRIENDSHIPS.
ndences and MutiIated
Regulations.

Regulations.
1t frequently happens, too frequent
Iy, indeed, that people who have once
been good friends and companions be-
come estranged or drift apart. And
then-look out for betrayed condolences
and mutilated regulations.
The two individuals, or perhaps
whole families, who were once on cor
dial, IL not intimate, terms, cannot now
be induced to speak good word for
each other, or even to preserve golden
silence.
And, unfortunately, a mans bitterest
enemy is not so we'll equipped TO hurt
him by gossip as the friend who has
been admitted TO his home and heart.
Such one is well acquainted with the
details of his former friends daily life.
the ups and downs of his fortunes and
the weak points in his character.
The gossip that SANDERS is not the
worst gossip. A SANDER is lie, and
truth will some time come 10 the tor
as surely as murder will out. IL is the
idle tale, the gossip that has in IL n
grain Of fact, exaggerated 10 the point
OF fiction, that works havoc with the
helpless victims good name.
One may be constantly on guard
against an enemy, but who can protect
himself against his one-time friends II
they choose TO blacken his reputation?
Women err in this respect more often
than men, who have no time to make
many close friendships among their
own sex, and whose choice Of compan-
ions is usually governed by circum-
stances.
As q rule, man does not 60 out Of his
way 10 seek another mans society: he
passes his time with the most congenial
fellow in sight; but women have the op-
portunity TO select their friends, which
is perhaps one reason why they are less
democratic than men.
The women who have leisure let mu.
tual liking, or tastes in common, govern
their choice of a companion in bicycle
rides, shopping expeditions and morn
ings spent in sewing.
On these occasions, as is but natural,
the friends grow confidential. Indeed,
whom should we trust, IL not the peo-
pie we like and who like us?
All is well and good for time. The
two women are trustworthy friends,
and loyal TO each other, as long as the
friendship lasts, but misunderstand-
ings will occur in the most firmly ce-
mented friendships.
Then il is that n woman proves her
self a gossip or otherwise gossip, if
she takes advantage OF her former
friends confidence, and tells her secrets
Dr her family troubles to the world;
otherwise, il, though sore and smarting
under some fapcied slight or real
wrong, she resolutely resists the
temptation TO revenge herself by idle
gossip or malicious SANDER.
This sort of backbiting while ii does
much harm to the victim, also always
reflects and often recoils upon the gos-
sip herself.
Everyone respects the man or woman
who is a loyal friend, and most of u
have a certain sympathy with those
who are bitter in their enmities; but
the person who can be a friend To day
and an enemy tomorrow merits moth
ing but contempt.
1t is not always possible for friend
ships TO last, nor is il best in every case
that they should. A question of pride
or principle may arise, or, as often
happens, the two people may simply
tire of each other and drift apart with
out knowing why.
But when one who has once been
friend becomes stranger, or mere
acquaintance, let u.s. for the sake Of the
good times we have had together, re
frain from gossipng about his failings
or betraying his trust.
Let us either speak well of him, or
keep silent altogether, so that IL IL
cannot be said of us: "Once friend.
always a friend" at least il may be
said. "Once friend, never an enemy"
Housewife.