The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-10-28
Ghe GrteIEiae1ter
TELLING THE TRUTH.
And What Came OF II-when Lie Is
.JuStInAble-AM atehIeas Moral Test.


,JuStihable-A MRtehless Moral Test.
"You can't live three hours, and tell the
exact truth throughout that time without
getting yourself into trouble" said agentle-
man to me few days since. didn't flush,
though felt like SO doing but soon recover
ed sufficiently to retort testify; Don't Judge
all men by yourself" A provoking grin
Ovespread his countenance as he said: ~
regret it; should you follow such course
you would be fit subject for the lunatic
asylum before night" and then he cody
explained. First he Modified my troubled
spirit by saying that he regarded me us the
emblem OF veracity, and when murmur-
ed: "You tlatter me" reiterated his belief.
But the idea he wished to convey was that
no person could openly express the diCta-
tons OF their conscience without involving
them in scrape before long. He had
never tried the experiment himself, but he
would be pleased to have me do so. Oh,
would he? Indeed? Well, l declined.
But the iron OF insinaation had entered
my soul and l secretly resolved last week to
attempt 1t for my own edifcation. II may
interest the readers OF The Etning Mail to
know what were the results. The momen-
tOus day for the test dawned brightly and
all went smoothly for half an hour after
rising, since had no one to talk to, but as
l went down to the breakfast table | girded
myself with the invisible but effective
armor OF caution. i was very reticent on
all subjects so much SO, in fact, that my
manner excited comment. Was | well?
Yes, Was anything the matter? No. Had
/ a reason for keeping quietP Yes. What
they help? Yes, by keepingstiIl. And SO,
self.isolated, l gulped my coffee in solemn
silence. But didn't lie Throughout that
meal.
Fearing the consequences OF remaining
at home, started for q stroll, but after
short walk l saw approaching me the very
person whom | wish to avoid for few
hours, Miss Lively Woman-like, she is
both garrllous and fond OF compliments.
Knowing her feminine failing in this re-
spect, lam always lavish in my encomums
OF her appearance, manners, speech, ETC.,
dropping many little white lie during
short conversation with her. Now was the
test. With mere salutatiOn attempted
TO pass, but she was not In hurry, and
brought ME to q standstill with the com.
mand and query: stop Aren't you
Glad to sec me?" For a moment. In a
rush Of thought forgetting all else but my
avowed adherence to the truth, ! STAN.
mered, "lm not glad you met me Just ut
this time" and then with hasty "exCuse
me-" l hurried off, leaving her to go
straight to my home and question as to my
sanity.
A little further on l met Bob. He no.
ticed my flushed appearance and inquired
Us to It's cause. "Oh, I'm bored too much;
talked TO DEATH" l said; and would you
believe II, Bob, my bosom friend, went
off in q huff. l now began to mediate,
but while | was musing the fire burned.
Only about one.half the time allotted for
the experiment had expired. And had
rs yet confined my assertion to the strict
est truth. But whittier could | 20 to
avoid coming in contact with curious and
questioning mankind? had It; | would
seek the seclusion which the woodland
grants, 1 would spend the remaining
hours where surely I would meet with no
interruption. No sooner had | entered
the quiet forest, however, than as though
the fates were against me, met two more
lady friends who were gathering moses.
| Immediately felt presentment that fail
tire was at hand. l could not avoid con-
versation, but trusted TO the utility OF
monosyllabiC answers 10 carry me safely
beyond the breakers into which had un.
Willingly driited.
To shirk or evade question. I could not
Conscientiously deem to be fair, and 80
when, after u few common. place remarks,
one Of the ladies asked, "Why were you
not at Mrs F.'s reception last night ~
quietly replied: ~ didn't wish to co."
Why not2 and many other questions follow.
10 in less than ten minutes I delivered an
opinion anything but complimentary to
Mrs. f., her husband and many OF her
guests. OF course all this was carefully
noted In the minds Of the fair ones to whom
| was talking, and OF course Mrs. F. knew
Of II a few hours later, as did also all other
parties concerned, and | may add that the
variations made in my original story by
their informant did ottend to pacify them.
The plot began TO deepen and | found my
self the unfortunate victim OF the wrath Of
score Of persons; threatened furnishings
are impending, and truly there is enough
gall in my ink" for once. | have lost
friends and gained enemies; l am a martyr
OF the cause Of truth and Justice; believe
that the emulation OF WaShington's veraCi.
ty should not extend beyond question OF
cutting cherry trees; have been forced to
the conclusion that II the way OF the trims.
gressor Is hard, the path Of the man who
would be truthful under all circumstances
Is even more rugged and discouraging. l.
oh, we'll, Just try II yourself, for though I
may moralize am now far from mortality,
since last evening made social cali upon
the man who proposed that I should stir
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