The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-09-30
TRUTH AND HONOR
1T HATE lies!" said my sister on


Lying lips are an abomination to
the Lord too"
well, really can see ne excuse for
ie."
Cant you? 1 can. Unwarranted
curiosity about ones private affairs.
For instance, you must surely recall
the time that prying Miss Staples
asked you if you were engaged, before
a soul knew Of your engagement out
side the family. Do you remember
what you said?"
My sister blushed. "Yes-I-lied."
"You did, Nell; and it was a justifi-
able act, tool"
Pm not sure of that. I think, if
such an instance should occur now, I
coulu escape with neither confession
nor lies"
POSSIBLY"
81 always did try to speak the
TRUTH" continued Nell. "But I believe
l dislike lies much more since I have
children. 1 do so hate to have them
pntruthful."
& 1 laughed, recalling some of little
Franks latest presentations. "Did
you have such siege of it with
Doris?" I asked.
"Doris has had her time, but the
motive in her case was different one.
Frank is ingenious, and originates a
lie to gain some end, principally for
the pleasure of his stomach. Doris is
tempted by fear, or rather shame, be-
cause of some naughty thing she
wishes to hide"
do you mean that she still does it %
] asked. in surprise, not having no.
ticc anything of TIE kind ip the five
year old.
ally get her to be perfectly truthfa1l
by not making too much of the offense
she is trying to conceal. She under.
stands now that 1 can endure the
knowledge of any sin if she is straight
forward in confessing it. 1t surprises
me, however, that it should take SO
long to teach my children to be
truthful"
Perhaps you are reaping the har.
vest of your lie to Miss Staples!"
"Don't!" said Nell. shivering. "But
really. have tried so constantly never
to be severe with Doris when she tells
me of wrong-doing that I cannot un.
derstand why must still handle her
so carefully. Often 1 must coax the
truth from her, but never conscious
~ let her go without getting her to
tell me it ALL"
Both the children have good imag.
nations" said.
Eyes; but they rearely are untruth.
full from the impulse of that alone. A
few times they have told me of events
that l knew had not occurred; and ]
Rave said at the end: That's a make.
believe story, isn't it?' And they ad
United it frankly enough"
Then, too, don't you think children
sometimes dream things that seem te
them true?"
Undoubtedly, we must make allow
ance for that"
WELL" said, "Doris and Frank
trust you simplicity. Nell; and that will
certainly make your task easier"
YES" said my sister, looking
pleased. Il think they do trust me
and they ought to. 1 have never con
sciously told either child the whites,
kind of lie. How could 1 expec-
them to be truthful if they hearc
me say what was not true? AS it is
l believe when they are older the,
will grow to love truth as much a.
l do. We often talk about fairies ant
brownies. and they understand thes,
are creatures of fancy. And, per
haps, as something more of a reality
we have looked upon Santa Claus. Fo;
] want my children to have all tn,
fun that Others do, and half believ,
in the jolly old man myself. But las
Christmas eve Doris said, as un
dressed her: Is Santa Claus reall,
or believing. mamma?' And wha
could / do? Was l to tell my child ,
first lie merely to give her little NOR,
fun?"
Il know well enough what you did.
l replied.
"'Of COURSE I said, its only believ
ing, Doris, like the brownies VIII,
gives us the presents. mamma?' Dori
asked. oh, papa and mamma an,
friends 1 answered. But want yo,
to get just as much fun out of it a
If it were true. So when you wax
up tomorrow and find your stocking
full, hope you'll say. just as if it wer
true: ''Goody, goody! Santa Clau