The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-10
THE HABIT OF EXAGGERATING
BY ELIZABETH CUMMINGS.


log or writing piles Of papers which he
told his nephew were MSS" His hair
was as white as the silk in milkweed
pod. but his eyes were so bright and
black they never thought of him as old.
Indeed. no one did who had once heard
him laugh.
After three o'clock the boys might 60
up and visit him, and John and James,
the twins, went up one afternoon, two
steps at jump, to tell him about the
circus come that morning to town.
"You just ought to have seen it! The
p'cession was two miles long!" cried John.
"My! it was as much as sixteen miles
long" pulled James, who was almost out
of breath. "And the old elephant was
as big as this house. and the camelopard
had neck-well sir, guess it was five
yards long,"
1.-The chariot was IN ost as big as the
cademy," interposed John. not to be out
talked. "And such string of horses as
there was! My. Uncle Joseph, guess
there was a thousand-or maybe two
thousand"
Uncle Joseph often told the children
stories. They came into his head as
dreams come into the heads ct other peo
pc. Sometimes he read them stories out
OF little volume bound in scarlet leath.
er, smelling of rose leaves and spice, and
fastened with golden clasps. which he
called his Memory Book" When the
boys paused for lack of breath, he said.
smiling:
"I've no doubt the circus was fine
Now, for change, suppose l read you
something it reminds me Of"
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir" said the
twins, and drew themselves into the
| depths of the wide sofa.
"Once upon a time." began Uncle
Joseph, "a knight and his squire were
travelling through Spain on their way to
join the army of the Crusaders. They
were brave men, and the squire. like
Sancho Panza. dearly loved to talk. And
man who talks very much often says
things that are neither wise nor true.
1.-The journey, which they performed
on horse back. was long and difficult.
The road led through mountain defiles
and dense forests. They often heard
the cries Of wild and ferocious beasts,
| and saw vepomous snakes. Once red
fox bounded lightly across their path.
"What fine fox! cried the knight. L
never saw one larger
az have said the squire. confidently
In Brittany, where l was born. the foxes
are as big as cows
Zone day fallow deer peered at them
through thicket, and the knight pierced
its head with an arrow.
ais it not beautiful and Target he
exclaimed, proud of his trophy.
"'Large for this country, perhaps. but
you should see the deer in Brittany
said the squire. L have often seen them
| as large as horses
"'And. pray, how large are the
horses?'
| 40, sir. as large as-well, twice as
large as any other horses in the world"
Just then the roar of great river
was audible. and the knight, springing
from his horse. knelt in prayer. The
squire, not knowing what to make of his
masters actions. waited till he felt burst
ing with impotence, then cried
"'Tell me. sir. why you pause now to
pray? l thought, up till now. morning
and evening prayers we're all that are
demanded of the most pious knight of
the Holy Cross
1--we are near the Ebro,' said the
knight, aud resumed his petitions.
"And what il we are?'
"All liars who attempt to ford it are
drowned; and. while l do not recollect
ever to have told an untruth, l am but
poor, weak creature. and want to com.
mend my soul to Cod
"After few seconds the squire gave
deep groan. % my master! he OK
claimed; perhaps the animals of Brit
tany are not so large as l seem to re-
member them The roar of the river
sounded fearful in the silence that fol-
lowed, and the poor fellow added, God
have mercy upon me! The red fox Of
Brittany is but a common red fox, and
the deer but common deer; and as for
the horses. they are but sorry cobs. Lord,
have mercy upon me for a miserable
offender!"'
WAS he drowned?" asked James. after
some moments of silence, during which
he had looked at John, and John had
looked at him. and both had thought Of
the circus.
II hope not" said Uncle Joseph; "but
/ hope he was cured of exaggerating Ia
foolish habit that makes anyone addicted
to it. to say the least, ridiculous. Sun
day School Times