The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-09-08
Truth and Honor With Children.


osity about ones private affairs. For in
stance, you must surely recall the time
that plyiIg Miss Staples asked you if
You were engaged before a soul knew of
your engagement outside OF our family.
Do you remember what you said?'
Ny sister blushed. Eyes, lied"
y gu did, Nell; and it was justifiable
act, too.N
I'm not sure OF that l think, if such
an instance should occur now, l could
escape with neither confession nor lies. -
POSSIBLY
II always did try to speak the truth, p"
continued Nell But | believe | dis
like lies much more since have children.
do SO hate TO have them untruthful."
laughed recalling some of little Frank
latest prevarications. Did you have
such a siege of it with Doris9' l asked.
Doris has had her time, but the mo-
tive in her case was a different one.
Frank is ingenious, and originates lie
to gain some end. principally for the
pleasure OF his stomach. Doris is tempt
ed by tear, or rather, shame, because OF
some naughty things she wishes to hide -
'Do you mean that she still does it., l
asked III surprise not having noticed any
thing Of the kind in the five year old.
'Yes. occasionally;I can generally get
her to be perfectly truthful by not max
ing too much of the offence she is trying
To conceal. !e understands now that |
can endure the knowledge of anvsi if
she is straightforward in confessing it. 1t
surprises Inc. however. that it should
take 50 long to teach my children to he
truthful
..Perhaps YOU are reapine the harvest
OF YOUR lie to Miss STABLES -
.Don't"f said Nell, shiverinr. "But.
really. have tried so constantly never to
be severe with Doris when She tells me of
wrono-doing trat can understand whv
I must still handle her So carefully'
Often rust coax the rrnrh from her.
bnt never consciously let her ro with.
ont oettfno her 10 tell me it ali
Both the children have good imagi-
nations. | said.
Yes. but they rarely are untrutbful
from the 1mplIse of thai alone 4 few
times they have told me of events that l
knew had not occurred. and have said
at the end .Thar;s make believe stoIv
isn't itr And they admitted il frankly
enonph ;,
Then too. don't Won think children
sometimes dream thinos that seem 10
them true"
II undoubtedly. we mnst mako allowance
for that
well, | said. s.poris and Frank trust
Won implici+Iy Neli and thar will certainly
make Your task easier
Yes" said nv sister, looking pleased.
II think they do trust me. and they ought
to. have never consciously told either
child the whitest kind of a lie. How
copld l expect them to be truthful. if thew
ever heard me saw what was not trieo
As it is. | believe when they are older
they will grow to love truth as much as
do. We often talk about fairies and
brownies. and they understand these are
creatures of fancy. And nerhans as
something more OF A reality we have
looked upon Santa Claus. For want NV
children to have all the finn that others do
and | half believe in the iollv old man NV.
self. But last Christmas Eve Doris said
as undressed her * SANTA Claus 1aa1
OF believing mamma3' And what conld
] do? Was to tell NV cIild first liz
merely to dive her a little more fuDo''
III know well enona] What vnu did -.
l replied.
9" .(if course said 1T is only be1iev-
I'M. Doris like The brownies .Nho
gives rs Fla presents, manma2' DoIis
aslei. oh mana and mamma AMI
friends answered ..Bpr wanr tni,
to Get iust as much fun our eff II As II If
we've true Na when v.,, val-a IL, -