Evening star., 1936-04-18
Defending
Right Is Not
"Tattling
Youths Version Of
Subject Brings
Complications.
BY ANGELO PATRI.


ND never, never, tell tales 1t is
unmanly. unsportsmanhke. If
you can't get along without telling
tales you're not much of boy. Re-
member that"
But father"
There are no butts I tell you.
Never tell tales. Even if you have to
suffer for it. Suffer and keep still.
Everybody hates a talebearer"
John Henry pondered these words
and felt somehow that they lacked
something. Fair play seemed to mean
one thing to one boy and the op-
posite to the other. There was Red,
who copied freely from another's pa
pers and promptly denied it on the
few occasions when the similarity of
their papers made the teacher sus-
picious. Why should I copy?" said
he, blandly. 1T is not me that needs
to copy" There was just enough ac-
cent on the me to make the teacher
look quickly at John Henry. and he,
being sensitive and indignant into the
bargain, blushed crimson and could
scarcely hold up his head.
See that this does not happen
again. That's all. Next time I will
look into the matter very closely and
deal with the culprit as dishonesty
should be dealt with. I will not toll
crate cheating" The teachers voice
had been stern and, While he looked
at Red as he spoke, he looked longer
at John Henry.
He thinks I copied. And that skate
made him think so. I'd like to punch
the head of him, that's what I'd like
to do" But that was not so easy, for
Red was bigger and heavier and much
more apt with his fists than John
Henry. having had more occasion.
Soon after father had delivered his
ultimatum in response to his SON S
question as to the desirability of telling
if one was being put in the wrong.
there was a test in history. John
Henry was good in history and Red
knew it and acted accordingly. Next
day Mr.. Turner's face was stern as
he faced the class. Again I have
found indications of communication
during test. Two marks will not I,
read. I would like to see John Henry
and William Immediately after class.
All eyes turned toward the two ac-
cused of cheating. John Henry looked
guilty. Reds eyes opened wide with
,;ef, IL Y,i
not guilty.
Il find that parts of three questions
are similar and that the complete
answers to Nos. and are word for
word alike. Who copied?"
II didn't, know" said Red blithely
John Henry grew redder in the face
and fumbled in his pockets.
1T is not like you. John Henry.
What have you to say?"
Nothing. SIR
Nothing? No defense? Then all
I can do Is mark you failure. Are
you certain you have nothing to tell
me?"
Certain, sir"
Father looked at the report card,
asked why In loud tones. Because
Red copied from me and I could not
tell on him and he said he did not
copy, and Mr.. Turner gave me failure" j."
And you we're fool enough to stand
for it? I'll see Turner in the morning.
Don't you know any better than to
let anybody brand you cheat2
Haven't you you a tongue in your
head? or anything else in your head?"
Telling tales is bad, unless there is
a sound reason. Then 1t Is good.
Nobody should have the protection Of
silence when he has broken the law.
Teach children just that, and teach
them to speak up and defend the right,
let who may be wounded by it.