Australian Tales - Setis

whispers it confidentially to a fellow toper, over a nobbler, at the Nag's
Head, and with a roguish wink declares his belief that the Campbells are
going to bolt to New Caledonia. The scandal flies, of course (“for lies
have wings and can fly, though they cannot stand for want of legs,”) and
a few hours afterwards, to the consternation of the maligned family, their
landlord distrains for a quarter's rent only due last week, and which they
were anxiously struggling to raise, in total ignorance of the plots of their
neighbours, or the legal process of their too credulous landlord. Their
troubles do not end with the sacrifice of their household goods, for the
rumours have affected Mr. Campbell's business in the City. Excited
creditors rush into his office, and demand payment of their claims, or
satisfactory security. Vainly does the astounded man try to explain his
solvent position, and plead for a little time, and he will pay them all; the
majority of them will not wait — “they are not going to be duped while
they are wide awake.” To meet their claims immediately would be
impossible — (almost everybody knows the difficulty of realising
suddenly upon assets, however safe they may be) — so, to protect his
few reasonable creditors, and in justice to all, Mr. Campbell sequestrates
his estate, which is his only alternative. Very soon his name appears in
the insolvent list, and he may be seen any day walking about the city
with his head bowed down. Thus, a striving, inoffensive family are
suddenly overwhelmed with sorrow and inextricable pecuniary
difficulties through the idle whisperings of a couple of scandal-mongers.
* * * * *
I will give another instance of the disastrous effects of gossiping, and it
is as substantially true as the preceding one.
“Have you heard the rumour which is afloat about Emily Green?”
asked Widow Wen of her bosom friend Mrs. Cackle, as they sat at a little
tea-table, munching hot muffins, and scrutinizing the failings of their
friends and neighbours. “Have you heard about the impudent hussey?”
“No, my dear,” replied Mrs. Cackle, with eagerness; “what is it? Tell
me all about it.”
“I'll take a little more sugar,” said Mrs. Wen, handing her cup. “You
shall hear the story word for word, as I heard it from — — , but I mustn't
tell you who told me. You won't mention it again?”
“Oh, dear, no; you ought to know me better than to ask it: mum is my
motto.”
“Well, then, you must know that my informant has been watching Miss
Green's movements for some time past, never feeling satisfied that she
was getting her living honestly; indeed, it has puzzled many persons how
that girl managed to hold up her head so loftily, for she has only her
salary as assistant governess at Mrs. Blank's school, and the fees of a few