The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-05

truth none the less, than the desire for
conspicuity. than the craving for
monopoly of interest. The run of
folks in the days of expert magazin-
ing have a plethora of serious SUBJ
jects. They are satiated on new dis
coveries i'm science. on old quips re-
dressed i'm literature. on philosophy
and its isms run to the point that the
need of praise in thought depends
upon its thoughtlesSness. With all
this to conflict with, the conversation
Of man to man has degenerated to
|thc point that the liar Is thrown back
upon either personal experience or
that which he has 'Seen with his own
eyes" And naturally. in an age in
which experience is the common
heritage. invention is q necessity and
one calling for high order Of
imagination to obtain a hearing.
Realising this. the liar shoots his
bolt. having according to his class,
preconceived it or celebrating as he
proceeds with a dclerium of inven-
ton If success attends; the fabrics-
ton gaining currency must be main-
tanned and in the maintenance lies
the experiences OF the true artist the
aim of course being a conviction i'm
the public mind of the truth of the
lie and the glory consisting in the
secret knowledge of its falSity. HaN-
ing launched his tale, the real expert
forgets that he has told il. For the
benefit Of proof he makes himself
out a bore 10 his friends, to whom he
has known the tale has been com
municated. With the air of one re-
calling by circumStantial connection,
a long forgotten incident. he will
launch forth through months in the
same narration to those TO whom he
knows he has oft repeated the ficti-
tious circumstance. Gradually. by re-
petition, he cultivates a belief where
none had at first existed by the in
variability with which certain things
start him on the same relation. And
at length, when the tale has ceased
to become his property and is told
of him by others, he may rest from
his labors in the satisfying knowledge
that lie has been born, until it's
denial becomes untruth. Then. and
not till then, can he who would add
to the fiction of the world afford to
rest.
1t is this quality of mendacious gem
Jus. ] believe, which is responsible fC'
thethe error that some men lie SO ofte
as to believe in their own fabrication
IT is not the liars, but the world Whic
is deceived Convince the world tina
you yourself believe and the BATH
has been won. 1t is that. more tina
too careful study Of some who have
the Ingenuity but not the philosophy
which attains the goal of popular
credcnce.
The necessity Of the lie IS thing
which is not fully anreojated. I'm
doubtedly iss il frequently the part of
charity, which is certainly more than
mere truth, to prevarieate. The heart
aches which have been saved by
judicious distortion Of the truth or by
down right denials and false affirma-
tions would raise a wall if uttered
which would girdle the world with
woe. And there is certainly palliation
in humanity for the crime of untruth
which preserves TO mistaken belief the
comfort of it's trust. The line is Of
ten a complex one between the duty
of truth and falsehood, and the lie
is not always bad.
In this connection, the sunshine and
the birds and the timid green shoots
of the elm trees have recalled TO mind
a confession made to me by a man of
an incident of his youth at once
amusing and pathetic, as most things
of either character Jointly are. 1t
was in the spring and he was a young
boy and--moSt of aIl-hc was in love
He had spent a harmless and enrap-
tured evening with the object of his
affections and, modify. he was walk
ing home through the capitol square
The moon was shining in the heavens,
and the white building in its setting
of DEMONSTRATING trees, was alluring to
the sense of mystery and OF pain with
i'm his youthful breast. in the sweet
ness of the budding night he sat upon
d bench and listened to the whispers
of the wind i'm the trees and thought
upon the exquisite nature of his illog-
ical despair. The tale was as old as
the world is young i'm the spring time,
but II was new to the boy and he sat
looking into the trees above his head
by the hour. while the moon sank in
the west and the tree toads and the
crickcts sang above and be-
low and the dew of the
morning gathered upon the
bench like the nectar OF the Gods. And
then, the light paled into the mystefy
and the vagucncsS of the dawn and
the sparroWS commenced to swoop
from their roosts to the ground and
the boy awohe from his reverie and
FASTENED homeward steps.
He let himself i'm with a latchkey,
turning the lock slowly. On tip-tocs
he started for his room. But the
house was unutterably quiet in the
waking dawn and rs he mounted the
stairs his father accostcd him from
the hal.
MY son. said he and there was
the sorrow Of Dareuthood i'm the
tones. where have you been?"
The boy considered for a moment in
pcrplexity What should he say? He
knew that he was already convicted is
il were of sin. Suppose he told the
truth Would his father believe that
he had sat in the square from twelve
to five? And the girl WAS too new
the experience too stunning, for him
to mention her.
The boy came to the quick resolve
Of Il lie, lest his father should think
him a liar.
Father" said he. do you think that
II fair question under the circum-
stances -
And the father, with groan, turned
back into his room, deceived in the
saving truthfulness Of the son by the
lie which he had told.
DR.. Osler Sticks to It.