The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-10-12
THE LYING SERVANT.

great rogue, and above all much
addicted to the vice of lying. The
name of the lord is not in The story.
therefore the reader need not trouble
himself about it.
The knave was given to boast oil
his wondrous travels. lie had sis-
tied countries which are no where
to be found on the map, and seen
things which mortal eyes never be-
held. He woul lie through the TWEEN
y-four hours of the clock for he
dreampt ialsehoods in his sleep to
the truth of which he swore when
he was awake. His lord WAS a cum
ming az well as viItuous man, and
used to set the lies in the yarlet's
mouth, 50 that he was often caught
hung as il were III his own un
truths as in a trap. Nevertheless
he persisted still the more in lies :
and when any one said, how can
that be ? he would answer with
fierce oaths and protcstations, that
so it was. He swore, stone and
bone, and might the devil have his
soul, and SO forth Yet was the
knaye useful in the household quick
and handy therefore he was not
disIiked of his lord, though verify
he was great liar.
Ii CHANGED, one pleasant day in
spring, after the rains had fallen
heavily, and swollen much the floods,
that the lord and the knave rode
out together, and their way passed
through shady and silent forest.
suddenly appeared an old and we'll
grown fox look +. exclaimed the
master of the knave,-look, what a
huge beast never before have seen
a Reynard so large Doth this
beast surprise thee by its hugeness
replyet straight the serving groom,
casting his eye slightly on the ami.
NAL as nc fled for fear lar away IN.
to the cover o, the brakes : by St0nt
and bone have been ma kingdom
where the foxes are big as the bull
in this Whereupon, hearing Sc
vast a lie, the lord answered calm
II y, but with mockery in his heart
in that kingdom there must be ex
cclIcut living for the cloaks ii furrl
~ Uuu r.---I "Ou VI urUs
skins SO large!
And so they rode on, the lord il
silencc-but soon he began to sigi
heavily. Still he seemed to wa,
more and more sad in spirit, and hI'
signs grew deeper and more quick
Then inquired the knave of the lort
what sudden affection, or cause o
sorrow had happened. Alas re
piled the willy master, trust in hea
VEINS goodness that neither Of Us
two hath to-day by any forwardnes'
OF fortune, CHANGED to say the thing
which is not-ior assuredly he that
hath so done must this day perish
The knaye, Oh hearing these words
and perceiying real sorrow to b,
depicted on the paleness of his mas
ter's countenance instantly felt as /
his ears grew more wide, that moi
a word, or syllable of so strange
a discovery might escape his trou.
bled sense. And SO, with eager ex
CIamations he demanded of the lord
to ease his suspense, and to explai1
why so cruel doom was now abou
to fall upon companioDable liars.
Hear then, dear kn.ve, answered,
the lord to the earnestness OF hi,
servant--sinCe thou must need!
know, hearkcni and God gran
that no trouble come to thee from
what l shall say. To-day We rid,
far, and in our course is a vast ant
heavy rolling food, of which thu
ford is narrow, and the pool is deep
To it hath heaven given the power
OF sweeping down INTO It's darl
holes all dealers in falsehood, whit
may rashly put themselves within
its truth loving current But
to him who hath told no lie, there
is no fear of this river.-Spu
we our horses, knave, for to-day ON
Journey must be long.
Then the knaye thought-lonl
indeed must the journey be for SOM
who are now here and, as h,
spurred, he sighed heavier and deep
err than his master had done beior,
lIim--who now went gaily on mol
ceased to cry, Spur We our horses
knavc, for to-day our journey mus
be long.
Then came they to a brook. It
waters were small and its channe
such as q boy might leap "a
cross. Yet nevertheless. the knav,