The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-22
THE LIE

"A year ago---his pride had softsned-
Now. more than ans thing else In the
world, he wanted her to give him
her hand In the old eosnTadely way
and be his friend as she had eeon
since they were school children to-
sether! II she wished ne would try
to ask for nothing more. He would
do just as she desired In all things
II was while he was again vowing
himself her lover for all time tn
secret, hut outNardly her friend II
again awakened. The program was
evidently finished. but Dorothy. still
holding the pretty fair-haired child
on her knee. spoke to them.
I'VE still! have few minutes left,
You have all done beautifully. chill
dren, l know you will all love the
flag and George Washington. and
our country better for this. But what
was ii that made George Washing
ton such a great. good man.
The answer was a prompt choruk
He couldn't tell lie"
She nodded, and the mothers
smiled. Dorothy's face was very ear
nest and serious. She put the baby
down on the floor again, and rose,
coming to the edge OF the platform.
Her dark eyes we're very bright, but
Keith noted that the proudly poised
figure was tap slim. that she was very
pale. She was overworking. His
hand closed hard on itself. He SO
wanted to care for her. He could
care for her even now in comfort.
She began to talk.
Children. | want you all to re-
member never to tell a lie. No mat
ter how badly You may seem to need
to tell It, don't do it. 1t win never
really help YOU. No matter how
afraid you are, tell just exactly the
truth about everything. just because
II is right That is why We love
George Washington. We love our
mothers because they tell US true
things. When they tell us anythins
we know II Is so.
Telling what Is not true will make
you unhappy 1t will make you dis
honest. il will make dirty black
place on your clean li.tle white hearts.
VIII YOU all rememper?"
They all chorused that they would
always, always remember. They
loved the little teacher. Then she be-
gan again.
We have five minutes left. Any
child that wishes to may ask me a
question" She paused. In twink
ling Patsy pugau's hand was wrigv
Cling high In afr. ~ s>-'' ~ q = a.
We'll. Patsy. what f. IT." the lad
rose, eager, Irish. inauisitive to his
backbone. On the breast OF his
ragged coat he wore a little Ratchet,
an artificial cherry filched from his
sisters best hat. and two flags--the
Stars and Stripes--and another tiny
flag green as grass. This was his
question:
Please. Miss Dorothy. did youse
ever tell a lie yourself?" The chill
dren turned to look ut him In sorrow
and anger at such a question. The
mothers Uttered. The fat old direc-
tor tried TO keep his face straight.
Keith gazed straight at Dorothy. who
ways been almost painfully truthfuliy.
That was one reason why he had
simply turned about and walked
away when she declared that she did
not love him He waited now for her
answer. II she ever had lied she was
too truthful to deny II! She smiled
: queer little smile.
Don't look at Patsy, children. He
didn't mean to be rude. ] am glad he
asked me. I will answer what he
asks. so you will be even more care
full to tell the truth hereafter.
Every bright eye was strained with
interest. The teached paused a mo-
ment. queer. serious iook on her
face.
II did tell a lie once" The words
came slowly. have been sorry
ever since. 1t mGde me unhappy
and It made a dear friend unhappy.
1t has caused lot OF trouble. that
miserable little lie. have been
ashamed ever since. That IL why I
always tell the truth now. I want
you to remember!" AT sight OF the
sorrowful little faces Dorothy called
back her smile. Now" she said.
I'VE can all go home. Coy quietly!
Ready. Rise! Pass!"
With stamping OF feet, tossing Of
curls, childish twisting and pushing.
she finally got them all out Of the
room. Keith was in his place at the
back OF the room Watching her. He
saw her talk q little to the director,
who went out. Tken she came down
to talk with tho mothers. cluckinE
about her likv q group Of hens. each
anxious about and proud 81 her oyn
chickens. Finally the mothers left-
He va aliens wttk Mr.. She could no
longer ishors htihs y 1shs ssvt lin