The Forrest City times., 1889-11-30
TRUTH IS DANGEROUS.
It is 0ftsn Embarrassing When Expressed
 by tho Taotless.

\
 "tt is surprising. or would be if it were not already matter of frequent notice, how many tactless individuals infest this world of ours" said the pro- lessor, as with infinite tact he had managed to entlce me Into q corner by the fireplace, from which escape was possible only by force of arms.
 1t is lack of tact that makes men failures, financially. ministerially. ju- dicially, presidentially. and all other 'allys.' Give me man who always says and does the right thing in the right place, and I'll show conqueror of men like Napoleon or"
 "A tactless comparison; Napoleon had his Waterloo"
 Well, that is only m example of how inapt the best of us are at some time in our lives. The individual who, as tho Irishman said. never opens his mouth without putting his foot in it. jostles us at every corner, waylays us on every highway and quite too often stretches his feet under our own table Now, I've been looking into this subject a little. and I've come to tho conclusio Il that lack of tact is due to extreme con- scientiousuess. In the days, now lucki- )y long passed when 1t was thought angelic for young girls to be delicate. and men were properly supposed to believe that the dear creatures were fed on the dews of heaven or something equally etheral, what consternatiou it used to cause when Adolphns Primrose was complimenting Lily Sylphide upon her exceedingly small appetite Tor tho substantial dinner before them, to be informed by the ubiquitous small brother She hadn't ought to be hun gry, for she ct n whole cold goose for dinnerr The smal, brother believed in the truth; he was opposed to pleas ant Actions. These are the people whose love of facts, exactness as to de- tail and dislike of appearances cause the endless heart burnings, bickcrings and strifes of society. They are no doubt entirely innocent-in fact, mean to exhibita more than ordi- nary friendship -when they inform Mrs. Millionaire that they remember the time when she took in washing for 1 u living. Now, there is really no malice in that statement; 1t k evident truth. and if Mrs. Millionaire had not inbibed false ideas with the acquisition of wealth she would accept 1t as pleas ant reminiscenee of carly days and a striking example of the ups and dow ns of American society. Instead she so decidedly snubs our innocent friends that they soon call her stuck up recall the auecdote of an English lord much given to self-appreeiation. who eondescendingly Inquired of his waiter at the club William. If should die would you attend my funeralp Will | ingly. sir, replied the waiter without a moments hesitation. Surely you didn't mean it just that way2' exclaim- ed my lord. in evident annoyance n, the unlocked for contretemps- Indeed no. sir, mean l wouldn't be seen 1 tharel
 You have doubtless read tho old anecdote of tho pcnurious baronet of i England who refused to provide for.his widowed sister. but who in revenge l caused sign to be put mp near his | domain bearing the inscription: The Sister of Sir George Rase Takes in Washing Here.
 Not so tactless. that"
 ''On the sisters part. no; on the ] brothers. yes. One must learn to prepare for attack and parry blows un- less he wants to bo put down among the blunderers. Tho fellow whose ] ideas are ten minutes too late will al- ways iiud himself overmatched by the 1 individual with the one idea, who drives it straight phead and never allows the question of titaess to disturb i him. The faculty for turning neat compliment is largely acquired. but the genius for bluudering is as innate as tho breath we draw"
 (Which accounts for it's superabund. ! ance."
 No doubt Nature preponderates art everywhere; and even tho natural ! fool is with us as ton to one of the ] learned sage Education doesn't seem | to do much for the tachess mortal | either; for the reason tha. as a rule. 1 he cannot see his failures. He is so conscious of having tho right purpose. of being actuated by tho best motives, that he can sit squarely down upon a 1 fellow-mortal and be overcome with wonder when the sufferer dares to squeal Good soul! he never meant to harm you.
 Left-handed compliments like that ot the guardsman for tho English noble man arc as thick as leaves In yallambrosa' among us. The noble- man was in the habit of meeting the common soldiers of the garrison near 1 him with an affable 'hail-fellow. we'll met air, and one of them moved to | speech complimented his lord-ship with l the assertion.
 "I like you first rate. my lord; there is nothing of the gentleman about you.
 Here's good one on tho medics. A hospital physician making his rounds asked as usual. How many deatbss' Nine. Why ordered medicine for ten. Yes. but one refused to take 1t '
 After all the predicament was not more awkward than that of tho wo- man who in a public gathering amused herself by audible comments upon the | appearance ot those present. and final ly became sufficiently emboldened to romark to a gentleman beside her that | the lady opposite was the ugliest per 1 son she had ever seen.
 "'l am sorry you think SO, was the i'm DC rttrba hlt. frply .us the lNdv ia