Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-03-07
WHITE LYING AND ITS. VICTIMS.

a free and easy epistle from an eastern friend,
of the evils Of "white lying" He tells his
own story so we'll that we shall plunge at
once into his pleasant mssive:
walk in and take pot-luck with us, said
friend -. In an unlucky moment l ac-
cepted the invitation, forgetting that fine
turkey awaited me at home. On entering
the parlor, we met Mrs. A, who re-
ceived me very politely, but seemed rather
disconnected when her husband announced
that | had dropped in to dine with them. l
turned away to give her time to recover her
equanimity, but in the opposite glass saw
her dart a reproachlul look at her spouse,
accompanied with gesture of vexation !;
and at the same time saw him elevate his in
an imploring attitude, and cast at her be-
seeching look. All this was seen at SIN
gle glance-but it was sufficient was
miserable from the time thought of the tur-
key, and said to myself, What goose, not
TO have thought of it beforer But what
could do? 1t was plain that the gude-wife
had only poor dinner to offer me, and was
greatly mortified thereat. | uttered an in
terna vow that would never again accept
an informal invitation 10 dine pretended
to be looking at some engraving at a centre
table, but was all the whiIeItrying TO invent
scheme by which to extricate myself from
my unpleasant position, and had nearly
come to the conclusion that | would sudden
ly pretend to recollect previous engage
ment, when domestic announced that din
ner was ready. Ii was too late in another
minute ] was in the dining room and there
| smelt 'em outp was about 10 partake
of salt fish dinner Ny heart sank with
gobbler at home, to come here and dine on
'Cape-Ann turkey Of all the articles
tolerated on a dinner-table, | most abomi-
nate boiled salt fish and now it was TO be
seasoned with the sauce of misery and the
pepper of domestic irritation. Il must get
rid Of the last two ingredients, at any rate,
thought /, and the only way to accomplish
it is TO swallow the former with a good
grace Shall help you to some fish p
said the lady. Certainly replied /, there
is nothing Of which am so fond Here
observed her countenance TO brighten
Some onionsr Thank you, yes, l always
eat onions with fish, Face brighter still. }
'Beets, carrots, parsnips? yes, yes (An-
other shade vanished. Eggs, butter, po-
tatoesr etc. etc. Yes, that's exactly right
You understand these things, see
could not be suited better. What lucky
fellow was, A, to fall in with you to-
day?
By this time his wifes face was as bright
as a sunny day in May, and the perturbation
so long visible on the sunny countenance of
my friend, had given place to a smiling
calm. l felicitated myself on the happy
turn of affairs, and the thought Of having
made my entertainers easy, almost made me
happy myself almost but not quite, for
right before me lay an enormous plate of salt
fish and accompaniment, which ! must de-
your as proof of the truth of my declaration
that there was nothing which was so fond
of as a a salt fish dinner Iput on smiling
face, and addressed myself to the task
Mustard and vinegar alone saved me from
loathing. Host and hostess were now on
excellent terms with each other, and with
me; and we discussed at large the merits
of dun fish, pickle-6sh, pollock, hake, cusk
paddock, and salmon; also lump, halibut,
mackerel lobster, sbad and trout but we
unanimously agreed that there was nothing
so delicious as the dun-codfsb, served up
exactly like the one on which we were then
dining BY and by my friend brought forth
bottle of excellent Madeira, and some fine
Havanas. We were quite happy party /;
and when reflected that this was owing to
little innocent faIsehood of which had
been guilty, took great credit for my be-
nevolent artiice, and thought, Here is a
case which would prove, even TO Miss Edge
worth, that good can come out of white
lie Just then the voice of that dear wo-
man seemed to whisper, wait little
Just fortnight from that day received
from A written invitation TO dine with
him; to which, owing to an unfortunate re.
pugnance to say No. which is my be-
setting sin, returned an affirmative an.
swer To tell the truth had no objection
for | thought il likely that he was going to
show me that he did dine sometimes on 9th.
er things than salt fish. | expected a
sumptuous dinner, and was accordingly very
Ipunctual. There we're no frowns now nc
gestures Of vexation, no perturbed visages
all seemed smiling, peaceful and happy
There was an air of i'll concealed triumph in
the countenances of my friends, which
seemed to say, we will show you to-day
what good dinner s.' / expected venisor
at least. Dinner is ready, if you pleas,
ma am said the servant; and we proceeded
at once to the dining room. was LITTLE
surprised that there were no guests excep
. myself, for | expected to meet large com
pany; but, on reflection, i felt it to be
higher compliment to be invited TO dine
alone with my friends-on venison. How
kind they were! BY this time we were il
the halls. 1T is impossible thought | tina