Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-10-06
TELLING THE TRUTH
And What Came Ofit-When a Lie is jus
fiable--A Matchless Moral Test.

And What Came ofit-When Lie is Justi-
fable A Matchless Moral Test.
From the New York Evening Mail.
"You can't live three hours and tell the
exact truth throughout that time without
getting yourself into troubled" said q gen.
tleman to me few days since. I didn't
flush, though felt like doing so: but soon
recovered sufficiently to retort testify:
Don't judge all men by yourself. A pro-
voking grin overspread his countenance as
he said: Il repeat it; should you follow such
a 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 as the emblem of veracity, and when !
murmured You fatter me-" reiterated his
belief. But the idea he wished to convey
was that no person could openly express
the dictations of their conscience without
involving themselves in a 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 insinuation
had entered my soul and secretly re-
solved last week to attempt it for my own
edifcation. 1t may interest the readers to
know what were the results. The
momentous 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 I went down to the breakfast-ta-
BILE girded myself with the invisible but
effective armor of caution. was very ret
icent on all subjects; SO much so, in fact,
that my manner excited comment. Was 1
well? Yes. Was anything the matter? No.
Hal T 20 SakC
What was it? None of their business.
Could they help me? Yes by keeping still.
And so self-isolated, I gulped my coffee in
solemn silence. But didn't lie through
out that meal.
Fearing the consequences 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 few hours, Miss Lively. Woman-lik
she is both grarulous and fond of compli-
ments. Knowing her feminine failing in
this respect 1 am always lavish in my en-
comiums on her appearance, manners,
speech, ETC., dropping many little white
lie during short conversation with her.
Now was the test. With mere salutation
Iattempted to pass, but
SHE WAS NOT IN HURRY,
and brought me to q standstill with the
command and query, stop! Aren't you
glad to see me?" For moment in q rush
of thought, forgetting all else but my avowed
adherence to the truth, stammered, I'm
not glad you met me ju at this time, and
then with hasty Excuse me-" hurried
off leaving her to 60 straight to my home
and question as to my sanity.
A little further on I met Bob. He no.
ticed my flushed appearance and inquired
as to its cause. ooh, I'm bored TOO much;
talked to DEATH" said; "and would you
believe it, Bob, my bosom friend went off
in huff" now began to mediate, but
while was musing the fire burned. Only
about one half the time allotted for the ex-
pertinent had expired, and had as yet con-
fined my assertions to the strictest truth.
But whittier could I 60 to avoid coming in
contact with curious and questioning man
kind? had it; would seek the seclusion
which the woodland grants. Iwould spend
the remaining hours where surely would
meet with no interruption. No sooner had
I entered the quiet forest, however, than an
though the fates were against me, I met two
more lady friends who were gathering
moses. I Immediately felt a presentiment
that failure was at hand. could not
avoid conversation, but trusted to the
UTILITY OF MONosYLLABIC ANSWERS
to carry me safely beyond the breakers in
to which I had unwilIingly drifted.
- To shirk or evade q question I could not
conscientiously deem to be fair, and 80
when, after few common place remarks,
one of the ladies asked "Why were you
not at Mrs. F.'s reception last night2"
quietly replied; 81 didn't wish to CO."
Why not? and many other questions fol-
1nx in, - 90 -
and SO In less than ten minutes had de-
livered an opinion anything but compli-
mentary to Mrs. F., her husband and many
of their 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 it 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 not tend to pacify
them. The plot began to deepen and /
found myself 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; am o
martyr Of the cause of truth and justice; /
believe that the emulation of Washington's
veracity should not extend beyond ques-
ton of cutting cherry trees; 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 cir
cumstances is even more rugged anddis-
couraging. I-oh, well. just try it yourself,
for though I may moralize I am now far
from morality, since last evening made q
social call upon the man who proposed that
should stir up such strife. He leaves no
family. Notice of funeral hereafter.
Wisconsin tobacco appears to be bette
crop this year than that Of almost any other
state in the Union. Corn In also in cood