Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-09-01
One way to Stop Harmful Gossip.

1t is reported of Hannah Moore, the
English poet IA woman writer is no more
'poetess' than woman painter is an
"artistess"), that when gossip about any
one was repeated to her she said We'll.
let us go at once to this person and find
out how true the story is" And she
dragged the terrified gossiper to the per-
son under discussion and insisted on
having the story sifted to the bottom.
OF course, scandal mongers and Cos
sipers soon ceased to tell her the tales
they heard: for not one person in one
hundred who hears a story about an
other and repeats it is willing to stand
before the accused and say where the
information originated.
That is the only right and proper way
to do, however, il we wish to be thought
fair in our dealings with humanity
When any one starts to tell you Il tale,
on condition that you swear yourself to
secrecy let the matter go no further.
Say i'll reply, Il will not make any
such promise. / do not want to hear a
tale which | cannot hunt TO it's source;
and If you tell me scandal about some
one | know | must reserve the right to
refer to you as the informant, if it be-
comes necessary for me to do So"
There are occasions when we must
warn one person Of association with an
other. y very young girl must some
times be told that the companionShip of
an Older woman is not safe for her rcpu-
tatlon, or young man tor an older man
Tor that natter needs to know that "A
certain acquaintance must not be per
mitted to become an intimate friend if
he would avoid bcsmirching his good
nainc
In such ease the request not to re-
peat the gossip should he followed by
the statement. IF you find Yourself at
any time obliged to speak of this matter
give me as your informant | do not
want to take part in an unpleasant
scene, unless necessary. hut if it be
comes so | will tell what l have to say
against this party =
A mother of young daughter in a
family hotel had positive proof that a
guest OF the house was unfit to associate
with honest women. She was living a
life of deceit and infamy The mother
said to her daughter. Treat tits woman
whom we have met here politely. but she
does not strike me as one who would
benefit you by her associate Do not
accept any invitations from her. Say
nothing derogatory of her to any one.
but should she at any time ask you why
you had ceased to 90 out with her or
visit her, refer her to me-
That was honest and straightforward
dealing. The daughter was protected
from an unsafe association without hear
ing mind-soiling facts, while there was
no coward shelter behind a VOW of Sc
crecy taken by the mother.
A young girl was told that one Of her
admirers was an unsuitable man to ad-
dress a good woman. She demanded
proof; but while the first and second in
formants gave the source of the tale the
third was sworn to secrecy to protect
her Informant.
1t SO happened that this protected in
formant was possessed of strong ''cir-
cumstantial evidence" of what she had
told. But she was not brave enough to
come to the front and declare il. nor
wise enough to keep her own counsel
SO she had cmbroled half a dozen peo-
pie in what seemed to be malicious Cos
sip, because she had told facts which
she did not stand ready to prove.
But those who listened were equally
culpable.
Ones own father or mother has no
r,@ht to extract such a promise when
telling unpleasant facts about another
human being either the facts should not
be told or the one telling should not be
afraid to be quoted.-Ella Wheeler VIII
cox in Exchange.