Daily Republican., 1888-07-31
xMs MnUKLAOE or rmurn.


To some children lying does not ap
pear . serious matter, and a little lie,
or big one ct need, II IL saves them
from punishment or q duty, If they
get any pleasure out OF It, OF 1t graft
fies their self-love, is the most Lawful
thing In the world. Now that wa,
just the case with our little girl. Fol
her truth was a thing which did moi
exist. Every excuse was good, pro.
vlded that it was accepted. Her parents
were long duped by her stories, but al
last they perceived that she told them
untruths, and from that moment they
had no longer the least confidence in
her. 1t is very terrible to parents
when they can no more believe the
words of their children. Better almost
not to have children, for the habit OF
lying, early acquired, may lead later
to the most shameful faults, and they
may thus be brought up only tor dis
honor.
Afler having tried many means use
lessly, the father and mother of the
little girl resolved to take her to the
Ienchanter, Merlin, who was then fa-
nous through all the world, and who
was the greatest friend of truth that
ever existed, so that untruthful chill.
dren were brought to him from all
parts to be cured by him.
He lived in q palace of glass, whose
walls were transparent, and he never
had the thought of Disgusting his &C
tions, or making that to be believed
which was not, nor even of allowing
II to be credited by being silent when
he ought to speak. He perceived the
odor Of liars for q league round about;
and when the little girl arrived near
the palace he ordered vinegar to be
burned to purify the air, for he felt
himself becoming Ill.
The mother. whose heart beat very
forcibly, wished to explain to him the
vile disease with which her daughter
was tainted. but the enchanter stopped
her al the first words.
know what is the matter, my
good lady. For an hour have per-
ceived the young lady coming. She
Is a liar of the first water, and she has
made me have bad time"
The parents saw that fame had not
deceived them in praising the knowl-
edge of the magician, and the little
girl, covered with confusion, knew
not where to place herself She took
refuge In her mothers skirts, who,
alarmed at the turn the interview had
taken, did her best 10 shelter her. The
father placed himself before her TO
protect her at all hazards, for the look
of tie enchanter had in IL nothing re.
a ring; they were anxious that their
child should be healed, but gently and
without doing her any harm.
''Don't be alarmed" said Merlin,
seeing the fear Of those people. ~ do
not use force to cure meladies of this
kind. Let the young lady permit me
only to make her a present, which,
believe, will not displease her."
He then opened cabinet and took
from it magnificent necklace of ame-
thysts admirably mounted, with q
clasp of diamonds of incompatible
brilliance, the lustre of which daZzled
the eyes. He placed it around the
neck of the child, dlsmissing her
parents with benevolent gesture.
&C.," said he, good people, and
no longer have any care. Your daugh-
ter carries with her sure guardian of
the TRUTH"
The little girl, red with pleasure,
was going away in all haste, delighted
at getting off 30 easily.
''I'm coming to fetch my necklace in
. year." said he to her while looking
at her with eyes that did not jest.
"From this time | forbid you to take
it off your neck for single instant;
If you dare 10 do it, woe be to your
ooh, | desire nothing better than
to keep it always. 1t is so beautifulp
"This necklace was no other than
the famous Necklace Of Truth, con-
cerning which so much Is said in old
books, and which unveils all sorts of
falsehoods.
The day after our story teller re-
turned home, they sent her to school,
and as she had been absent long
time, all the other scholars clustered
round her, as always happens in such
case. The beauty of the necklace
called forth the admiration of them all.
"Whence came it2 And how did
you obtain such ar Ornament2'' they
cried to her from all sides.
She would not confess she had lust
returned from the magician Merlin,
for every one in those days would
have known what that meant, he be.
ing celebrated as the doctor OF liars.
II have been a long time Ill" said
she toldly, land on account of my re.
coveTy, my parents have given me
this beautiful necklace"
A great cry was heard, which came
from all mouths at that moment.
The diamonds Of the clasp, which
threw out such sparkling fires, became
dull at once, and changed themselves
into coarse glass.
"Well, yes, have been ill-what
are you shouting about so muchS"
On this repetition OF the offence the
amethysts in their turn changed them
selves into common yelloWish peb-
bles.
At the new cry which then burst
forth, seeing all eyes fixed upon her
necklace, she looked at it herself and
trembled with fear.
II have been TO tie magician Mer-
lin," said she humbly. for she under
whence the blow came,
and dared not maintain her lie any
longer.