The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-08-27
GOSSIP.

PROBABLY no large city has ever
existed which has not harbored
within its borders vices and public
scandal of one sort or another, be
it social or political, in the days of
Babylon, of Rome, and in modern
times. Our own metropolitan |
centres have been stirred to their |
depths by corrupt Vaccinations of |
grating political organizations, by |
gambling, by violence, ard by |
vices of all sorts. But these have
successively been attacked by a
tardily awakened public, and law,
which is so often a neglected ele-
ment has i'll most cases been
brought to bear, usually with ulti-
mate success, provided the courts
have not succumbed to the general
epidemic of whatever may happen
to be the existing evil. Reform
movements generally spring up to
put all end to the abnormal condi
tions, and more or less often ac-
complish their purpose. Then the
great city dailies announce in glar-
ing headlines that civic virtue is
once more restored, and the natives
of the more provincial districts
heave thankful sighs and murmur
that cities are wicked places. Sell
dom it is that these same inhabit-
ants Of the smaller towns turn to
look at the local abnormities, except
in such superficial way as to howl
Justify when the local sheet doesn't
print their names often enough, or
a monument isn't put in an absurd
out-of-the-way place where they
would like to have it, or when all
official dog shooter ploughs
furrough on their front porch with
a stray bullet.
Merciful Heavens, when will the
majority of the people of this very
town waken up and realize there
exists a nuisance-we should rather
say evil-which does as much harm
in limited community like this as
many a more serious matter which
has aroused thousands in the larger
cities.
This evil is gossip, and promis-
cuous, and in many cases, malicious
knocking" Political grievances
and social evils can be checked by
law. but unfortunately petty gossip
cannot be so dealt with. In the
olden days public scolds and gossips
used to be ducked, but at present
that practice is not customary, ara
the gossiper starts his or her aD,
ominable little confidential tips ana
on rolls the tale upon an ever-multi-
plying number of tongues and the
result is inevitably the creation OF
illfeeling, broken friendships, ana
what usually goes unnoticed' a
lowering OF the gossiper's self re-
spect and confidence in his fellows.
1t is a joke that has been worn
shiny that women are the only
gossips. Would that it were true,
| for then the number would be re-
: duced by one-half, but alas, the
men are equally assiduous in this
uuderhand habit. At any hour in
1.-THE day clusters of men may be
found congregate6 at accustomed
loafing places, discussing the pass
ersby and making remarks, while
tales are spun regarding Others who
don't pass by. Each new conner is
greeted with the query as to what
he knows, and usually he knows a
lot, about his neighbor, his friend,
or his enemy, and he willingly dis
estimates all these items with en-
bellishments, while the listeners
eleefully absorb all he says, and
soon it is spread broadcast.
Some gossip becausei it is habit.
some for the pure JOY of it, and
others maliciously. The remarks
invariably return to their subject,
either by accident or through
some so-called friend who carries
them. The result is a community
of petty squabblers, families who
do not speak, and if the matters go
far enough, open libel.
The whole thing is an abomin-
able habit, and is "a thorn in the
side of the community and check
to its social well-being. it is an
ever recognized element in human
nature that the misfortune of others
Is great happiness for many, but
why let it be so evident!
Bloomsbury could exist without
gossip. Some will probably always
be extant, but the sum total might
he lessened if those who indulge in
fit would keep in mind an admirable
flittle couplet which contains much