The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-10-13
8 ESTABLISHED IN
I MARCH, 1S47.

comes fixed habit and follows them
through life, and they hardly realize
what contemplate figures they cut.
Take for example, lady of fashion
rugged out with her silks, satins, ruff
files, gold, and diamonds; her ward
robe has the appearance Of being
worth a fortune; but what are the
facts? The parts of the dress expos
ed may be composed of silk and satin,
but the balance is sham; the gold is
brass, and the diamonds paste. The
idiotic fringe which is displayed on
the forehead where. reason ought to
reign supreme, is not her own, bu5
probably from the head of some poor
girl who needed money more than
hair. She starts out to make fash
ionable call. Mrs. Bonton sees her
coming, and says to her daughter: Il
declare, Lucy, there comes that horr;d
Mrs. Hightone with all her gaudy,
peacock airs. wish she knew enough
to stay at home. You don't know how
| do detest her. But, sh-! here she
comes. Why, how do you do, Mrs.
Hightone IA warm clasp of the hand
accompanies kiss)? [ am so glad to
see you; why have you not called be-
fore? really began to think you
had forgotten us" Then Miss Lucy
gives Mrs. HI. cordial greeting. Then
they begin to swap lies. Mrs. Bonton
says: "How nice and we'll you are
looking, Mrs. Hightone; and how rosy
your cheeks are! What fine shawl
you have; it is a genuine camel's hair,
is it not? Now, dear Mrs. H., do tell
me where you got it, and hoA much
it cost" Mrs. H. replies: 'Mr Fl. was
in the city few days ago, and called
at Field & Deiter's to get me some
thing for present; he happened to
see this shawl, and as it was the only
one of this quality and pattern they
had, they let him have it at bargain.
Now, how much do you think it
eost?" "Oh, really now, I could no;5
guess, but he certainly did not get it
for less than two hundred dollars;
now, did hep" "Well, yes, little; it
was only one hundred and fifty"
you don't say; well, that certainly
was bargain
After some choice bits of scandal
have been detailed on both sides, Mrs.
II. takes her leave, refusing several
very earnest invitations to remain to
tea, and at parting is reminded of her
promise to call again soon and make
a good long visit"
When the front door has closed on
the departed caller, mother and daugh-
ter drop their masks made UP of pleas
ant smiles and gracious attentions,
and Lucy is greeted with: "Well,
now, isn't she the most deceitful, ly-
ing, contemplate old hag that ever
you saw, with her false frizzes and
painted cheeks, trying to appear
young? wonder if She thinks we are
fools! Why, just see what lie she
told me about that old shawl. There
isn't camel's hair in it, only an imi-
tation that you can buy anywhere for
thirty dollars But it looks well any
way, and lots of folks don't know the
difference. | wish l could afford to
get us some"
"But, mother, what made you ask
her to stay to tea? l was afraid she
would, she was here so long"
"Why, Lucy, of course | had to be
polite and treat her well; but 1 did
not want her to stay any of the time"
Thus Lucy is being educated by ex-
ample, and proves an apt scholar; for
when John, her beau, calls she is
smartly decked out, and has put on
the mask she wears for company.
And John has not smoked, chewed, or
drank for half day and has perfum-
ed his clothes and breath. He, too,
had adjusted his mask, and calls
dressed in the most exquisite torture.
Now, see them; could anything be
more lovely! There are no frowns on
either face; no slang is used. And
what pleasure it seems for each to
please sthe other. What splendid
pair, and how nicely mated!
John and Lucy marry. All goes
we'll for a brief honeymoon. They
begin to get acquitted, and OCCASION
ally get a peep under each others
mask. After while they remove
them altogether, and only put them
on when they go away from home, or
some one else is present.
Now, look at them, soured by dis
appointment; no longer trying to
please each other. John chews and
smokes, drinks and swears, no matter
if Lucy does know it. And Lucy is
no longer tidy, but appears in ragged
gown, disheveled hair, and sour tenn
per. They are both querulous, impa-
tient, and miserable in each others
company.
All the adulterations of everything
in commerce; all political chicanery;
all Misrepresentation everywhere, are
an outgrowth Of this curse OF all edu-
cational curses-deception. There is
no excuse for it. If we cannot tell
the truth, let us keep still and not say
anything. A habit commencing in
infancy and strengthened by culture
and example in childhood is hard to
overcome. But when we see the eff
fects of it everywhere, we ought so to
teach the next generation the folly of
deception that they, by right educa-
ton, may steer clear Of the shoals on
which their elders have drifted.
This picture is not overdrawn. We
should cultivate charity for these con-
scientious liars; they are not SO much
to blame. The majority of them do
not realize what liars they are. And
yet the little white lies" and common
deceptions Of everyday life are worse
than the regular out-and-out false
hoods; because these acted lies are
seeming truth, and pass for legal ten
der; while big. intentional lie shows
what it is on its face, and passes below
par.
EoraI: Never deceive the children.
Make few promises, and keep them