, 1881-10-28
Telling the Truth.

''You can't live three hours and tell
the exact truth throughout that time
without getting yourself into troubles =
said gentleman friend to me a few days
since.
L didn't flush, though 1 felt like so
doing; but soon recovered sufficiently to
retort tersely, Don't Judge all men by
yourself"
A provoking grin overspread his
features as he said, II repeat it; should
you follow such Il course you would be a
fit subject for lunatic asylum before
night" and then he cody explained:
First he Modified my troubled spirit by
saying thet he regarded me as the EN-
blem of veracity, and when 1 Imurmurea,
You hatter me" reiterated his belief.
But the idea he wished to convey was
that no person could openly express the
dictations of their own conscience with
out involving themselves in a scraPe be-
fore long. He had never tried the ex-
pertinent himself but he would be
pleased to have me do so. Oh, would
he? Indeed? Well, I declined. But
the iron of insinuation had entered my
soul and L secretly resolved last week to
attempt it for my own editieation. The
momentous day for the test dawned
brightly and all went smooth for half an
hour after rising, since l had no one to
talk to. but as l went down to the break
fast table 1 girded myself with the in
visible but effective armor of caution.
was very reticent on all subjects; so much
so. that my manner excited comment
Was ] we'll? Yes. Was anything the
matter? No. Had 1 a reason for keep
ing quiet? Yes. What was it? None
of their business. Could they help me?
Yes, by keeping still. And so, self
isolated, gulped my coffee in solemn
silence. But 1 didn't lie throughout
, that meal.
= iii caring 3 the c:onssq Gefces OF remaining
at home, started for stroll, but after a
short walk I saw approaching me the
very person whom would then wish to
avoid for a few hours-Miss Lively.
Woman-like, she is both garrulous and
fond of compliments. Knowing her fem
mime failing in this respect am always
lavish in my encomiums on her appear
ance, manners. speech. ETC., dropping
many little white lie during a short
conversation with her Now was the
test. With q mere salutation attempted
to pass, but she was not IN hurry, anG
brought me to a standstill with the com
mand and query:
''Stopl Aren't you glad to see me?"
For a moment, in rush of thought,
forgot all else but my ayowed adherence
to the truth, I stammered: I'm not gla(
you met me Just now, and then will
a hasty Excuse me" l hurried off, leav
ing her to go straight to my home ant
question as to my sanity.
A little farther on L met Bob. He no
ticed my flushed appearance and inquired
as 10 the cause.
"Oh, I'm bored too much; talked Il
death" said; ''and would you believ
it, Bob, my bosom friend went off in
huff" I now began to mediate; bu
while I WAS musing the fire burned
Only about One-half the time allotted fo
the experiment had expired, and I had a
yet eonfA my assertions to the strictes
truth. But whittier could go to avoi,
coming in contact with the curious ant
questioning mankind? had it: woul,
seek the seclusion which the WOODLAND
grants. / would spend the remainin,
hours where surely would meet with II,
interruption. No sooner had / entere,
the quiet forest, however, than ,as though
the fates were against me-, i met two NOR
lady friends who were gathering MOSES
l Immediately felt presentiment tina
failure was at hand. i could not avoit
conversation, but trusted to the utility o
monosyllabic answers so carry me safel,
beyond the breakers into which / hal
unwittingly drifted.
To shirk or evade question I coult
not cOnscientiOusly deem to be fair, anC
so when, after few commonplace re
marks, one of the ladies asked "Wh,
were you not at Mrs. F.'s reception las
night?" 1 quietly redlied: II didn'
wish to CO." Why not? and many othel
questions followed in consequence O
fearless answers, and so in less than tel
minutes l had delivered an opinion any
thing but complimentary to Mrs. F., hel
husband and many of their guests. o.
course all this was carefully noted in the
minds of the fair ones to whom l wa.
talking, and of course Mrs. F. knew o.
it a few hours later, as did also all the
other parties concerned, and 1 may ado
that the variations made in my Original
story by their informant did not tend tc
pacify them. The plot began to deepen
and found myself the unfortunate vie
Inn of the wrath of a score of persons
threatened thrashings are impending
and truly there is enough gall in my
ink for once. 1 have lost friends and
gained enemies; l am a martyr of the
cause of truth and justice; believe that
the emulation of Washington's veracity
should not extend beyond question Of
cutting cherry trees; 1 have been forced
TO the conclusion that if the way of the
transgressor is hard, the path of the man
who would be truthful under all circum.
stances is even more rugged and dis
couraging. I-oh. well, just try it your.
self, for though 1 may moralize L am
now far from morality. since last even
ing I made a social call upon the man
who proposed that should stir up such
strife. He leaves no family. Notice OF
funeral ksreafter.-IN. Y. Mail.