The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-06
The Story Of u White Lie.

Once upon time boy told q lie,
Many boys have done the same thing.
but this was a certain, particular boy
who has since become a man ofconsid-
erable prominence in his profession aud
in the councils of "a great political party.
1t was not an extraordinary lie. In
fact, 1t was forgotten by him almost a.
soon as it was uttered. 1t e2tailed no
injustice to anyone. 1t merely freed
him at The time from an embarrassing
situation. He was an errand boy In a
lawyers Office, and he told his employ
er that he had performed some inconse'
ouential duty which he had not per-
formed. He performed it Immediately
after wards. No one was the wiser, be
thought. He deluded himself with
the idea that he had doEe quite q smart
thing. He was pleased with himself.
Twenty years later he was a candi-
date for the office of State Treasurer.
All indications -pointed ito his elec-
ton. The opposition party went over
bis recod with exceeding care, and
were forced to admit that there was
nothing in it upon which to build poll
tical. They virtually conceded his
success, although the vote was very
close. Therefore they were greatly
astonished when it was found that be
alone of all the candidats upon the
ticket was defeated. He, too, was as
tonished and chagrined. He could not
understand it.
Some time afterwards he chaDced to
be in the city where as boy. like Sir
Joseph Porter, he had served a term
with an attorneys firm. Naturally,
he called upon his former employer,
and spent an kour in that gentleman's
private office talking over old times
and new before cheerful fire. At the
close of that hour be had something to
ponder over. :.
The conversation had drifted into
politics, and his former employer,
with whose gray hair had come af-
1uence and in iuence, referred delicate
ly to the results of the recent election.
"I have a confession to make to you ,
nv boy" be said, after the other had
expressed his inability to account for
the defeat he had sustained, ~ can
tell you why it was. You may be
angry when you hear it, but you have
too much sense, think, to accuse me
of treachery in the premises. Twenty
years ago you lied TO me. You have
probably forgotten the circumstances.
+ never had the confidence in you
afterwards that I had before you did
it. could not justify myself in vot-
ing for you. / told myself and my
friends that you were not qualified en-
tirelv for the treasurership. The
tendency 10 dishonesty which you had
manifested was one which, in that
position, might become dangerous
both to yourseIfand the State. could
not declare myself against you. The
opposition papers would have failed,
Intentionally of otherwise, to under
stand my motives. They would have
exaggerated the charge, and the conse-
uuences would have been such that
your reputation might never have been
fully recovered. I did not tell you
what intended to do, because it was
unnecessary. 1t would have made no
difference"
The other, very red in the face, lis
tened to the end. He arose eXcitedly,
and his lips moved as though he were
about to speak. But he restrained
hemself. He stood for moment, look
ing into the face his defeater. Ihen,
impetuousIy, he extended his hand
and lit the room. Visitors to a GER
tain law office in a Western city OBJ
serve, with some amusement, motto
which hangs over the senior partners
desk. 1t reads, "Honesty is the Best
Policy" II had it made to order, !"
says the lawyer, when | questioned !;
81 wished it to express conviction, 50
/ had the 'is' italicized" This motto
is the visible result of the interview be-
tween thes enioIIpartner and bis. former
employer.