Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-07-09
THE GLASSES
OF TRUTH
What Prince Fortunate Beheld with Them


1T is related that nee upon a time, in
! Paris. there lived a truly happy man.
One would naturally suppose that he,
too, must have been without a shirt 10
his back; on the contrary, he owned
many-some of silk, some of flannel, and
some embroidered. He was happy be-
cause he possessed riches; be-
cause he was surrounded by many
whom he loved; and last, but not least
because he was able to devote his life
to art. In truth, he was a sculptor of
no mean talent; but, being wealthy, he
often received more praise than his work
deserved.
Most of his time was spent in his
sunny studio, where friends were al
ways welcomed, and the wine cup
passed around freely. In exchange for
this hospitality, his followers willingly
showered on him the fulsome praise
which made him so happy. He had
been nicknamed by them Prince For
tunate," and often did he proudly say
TO his comrade Albert, who vas homely,
poor and %fretful: Il am indeed, the
most happy of mortals."
One day this favorite of fashion was
working alone in his studio. He was Civ
ing the finishing touches to a study de-
picting Nymph and a Satyr. So well
pleased was he with the grace of the
former and the manly beauty of the lat
ter, that he stood In admiration before
his work, muttering to himself: This
certainly will be my masterpiece"
In the midst of his reveries, a servant
ushered In a smartly dressed gentleman
carrying a small bundle under his arm,
The visitor looked keenly at the artist
at work with his mallet and chisel.
Raising his forefnger to heaven to com
mand attention. he smiled pleasantly
and remarked: "Sir, | am selling
glasses. | have some of all colors
and for all eyes. Can't | sell you a
pair?"
Prince Fortunate assured the strang-
ger that he needed none, but the ped
der of glasses persisted: Il have some
that are blue, some yellow, and others
pink and green. The pink ones are for
those afflicted with melancholy, for they
make one see the rosy side Of life; the
blue glasses are for the poets; the yell
low are intended for unhappy husbands
through them all wives are models Of
truth and fidelity. There are some green
ones which hold continually before the
wearer the mirage of hope" AS he
spoke, the peddler spread before the
sculptor the vari-colored glasses.
ITS no use" interrupted Prince For
tunate, Il don't want your glasses; they
are a delusion. Life is beautiful, and |
an content to see it as it really is"
Again the peddler smiled, and, shak-
ing his head, searched the bottom Of his
bundle. I'm convinced that you are .
superior man" said he. You want the
glasses of truth, Very well, here they
are. The color is gray and dull, in keep
ing with what they unerringly reflect"
Good said the sculptor, undis-
mayed. "Ill take them. What are
they WORTH"
'fhe Others bring fancy prices. I'll
let you have these gray ones cheap-for
a cent"
Prince Fortunate handed him the
coin. and took the somber-looking
~glastes in exchange. W%hereupon the
peddler departed.
ITO learn the truth for one cent
laughed the sculptor, merrily, us GER
tainly cheap" And turning over his pur-
chase disdalnfully, he added: THAT
fellow needn't think he has fooled me-
However, in a spirit of fun, he put
the glasses to his eyes just as his friend
Albert entered the room. The latter
was his old and faithful companion;
they had been through all the grades of
the public schools together; they had