Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1890-03-15

but III my case bHOulu Juluh you
would be especially reasonable in your
charges" said the woman.
The costumer looked at her in aston
ishment. OF all women in New York he
considered that this one mi, hit afford to
pay what she was asked for an article
i don't think | quite understand you
he responded to her remark. Why
should make cheap terms for you, my
dear madam"
Because, replied the lady, when it
becomes known that am having my cos
tune made here many of my friends Will
come to YOU.
The costumer could not see the ques-
ton in this light, and the discussion
ended by the lady deciding to take her
work elsewhere. In the meantime her
two children were having little trouble
together in another part of the room.
What's the matter, DEAR" asked the
mother Of one, who was crying bitterly.
She stole my fye-cent piece" sobbed
the little girl, indicating her SISTER
The mother secured peace by restoring
the money to its rightful owner, and
promising the other similar amount if
she would be very good until they got
home. AS the family went out to its
elegantly appointed carriage, the costumer
aid:
well I guess that I'm glad m poor.
Now that | have struck into a critical
vein, let me morali2e briefly On the mel
ancholv fact that mendacity is a common
feminine failing. Men have a contempt
for small lies. They may periure THEN
souls to any extent for a suitably large
stake, but they would certainly feel
ashamed to make the untruthful asser-
tons that women will indulge in, not
only on the slightest provocation, but
often without a shadow of necessity.
Ii is but just to the feminine sex to say,
however, that gain is not always the cause
of their lack of veracity 1t seems rather
that the habit of wandering away from
the truth is a kind Of constitutional de-
fect-a flaw in womans nature. She lies
not so much from malice aforethought
as because it becomes more natural to
her than to make plain, unvarnished
statement Moreover, she is compelled
by her own sex to do SO. Women resent
the attempts of reformers in this respect.
| There are certain lies, they argue, that
society demands shall be told They
are recognized formula, and to offer the
truth in their stead would not only be ex-
| tremely unpalatable to the majority, bu:
would without question bring about a
state of affairs which must inevitably
wreck the whole social system. 1t is
often the anxiety to keep themselves up
to the standard fixed by the unWrtten
laws of their set" that further leads
women into the crooked paths of men
dacity But all the same. the knacl
comes readily enough to them. Then
tongues utter taradiddles" glibly enough
whatever be their cause; and then there
are, besides, so many of these sugar coat
ed falsehoods told daily that need neve,
be uttered at all, and which may be said
to come under the head of feminine petty
immoralities.
There are no subterfuges that the gentlel
sex will not practice by means of the facilt
falsehood to secure something for moth.
ing, " such as theater tickets, entrance t.
exclusive entertainments or similar shows
They will, for such coveted prizes, men.
daciously commit themselves to almos
any extent and with a wholesome disre
gard of detection that positively appall'
the male friend whose aid is sought a
these times. ! remember on the occasion
Of famous ball it was stated that societ,
matrons had absolutely stepped them
selves in untruths III order to get invita-
tions, and can believe it. When. sucl
matters are at stake, truth stands but
poor chance, and having been once sacri
feed, moreover, is not easily reinstated
for "he who tells a lie will inevitably b,
forced to invent twenty more to maintain
it" and thus it comes about that veracity
which at best is but lightly esteemed il
feminine circles, gradually ceases to hol'
any important place in the female code 0
morality. - Jennie Dean IN ChjcGgt
| Iedger