Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1920-08-20
GOSSIP

To assert that there are more COS
sips in one town or community than
another would perhaps be libel on
the place thus accused, but there al
ways have been too many every wher.
. To our mind gossip is the besettlng
sin of the day, a cankerworm that is
destroying friendships and gnawing
at the vitals Of our social fabric. An
avowed, shameless gossip is more dan
gerous in a community than thief
or highway robber. A paddock af-
forGs some protection from the form
er; if we suspicion that hold-up
man is abroad we can stay at home
and be safe; or if we walk the streets
we can leave cur purse and other val
uables behind and escape his menace;
they must meet you face to face be-
fore they can harm you, but the Cos
sip will stab you in the back, rob
you of friends, besmirch your char
act2r and steal your reputation
things mere TO be priced than those
which attract the hold-up man.
Knowing that this picture is not
overdrawn, It IS not surprising that
one accused < being a gossip will de-
ny it with "c&ths and cursing,"
while at the same time he, she or it
take to it as kitten to cream, and fat
ten on it, too. "
If one be sincere in Such denial
hazy as to the definition of the word
they may be able to classify them
selves by looking up what Mr.. Web
ster and other authorities give as
definitions. Here is what we get from
one photographer: Loquacity, talk
atiyeness,. garrulity, flow of words,
pirate, CAB, verbosity, gable, jabber,
chatter, prattle, cackle, clack, twat-
tie, rattle, twaddle, babble-babble,
gibble-gabble. A thirce-told tale.
The gift of CAB. A chattcrer, chat
terbox, ranter, driveller; to pirate,
palaver," etc.
Perhaps, as you read this, with
that definition before you, instead of
calling to mind Mrs X, whose case
it fits to a r., you will sec that the
accusing, fingers points directly at
YOU. Otherwise good people de-
ceive themselves as to the use of the
tongue. The good book says that
THE tongue is fire, a world Of ini-
guilty and it is set on fire of hell"
Hence, if you are a protesting chris
tian and belong to the class of Cos
sips, tale-bearers and news-venders,
better cut it out, for this statement
indicates that you are dominated,
more. or less, by the devil.
The same authority says that no
man can tame the tongue, and while
gossip is an incurable disease, per-
haps, it will respopS, to first aid
treatment and remedies. The tongue
can be bridled; gossip can be frown-
cd down and it's author shamed.7 The
day of framed mottos for the living
room walls is past, but this would be-
a good one: while in our home do
not speak unkindly of our enemies,
much less our friends" In the abb
sence of such motto, live it out, and
show the tale-bearers by your silence
and disapproval that they are out Of
their element, while talking to you.
Inasmuch as the ladies are soon to
have the right of franchise, how
would you like to hear that, some
time this fall, an election would be
held in every municipality and dis
trict to determine, by combined
just who is the biggest COS
sip therein? Would you be surpris-
ed if you were elected?
You map not take to yourself that
ugly name, but if, by your news
and tattle, you are alienat-
ing friends and causing strife, be-
tween neightors, the people know it
md you would make a good rum
If all the chronic gossips in every
.own and community could be round
ID up and exiled to some lonely Cline,
here to talk and maIign each other
to the death, it would be better for
hose left behind, whether many of
Jew.