Evening star., 1937-04-23
Best Policy
Is Truth
A | w a y S
1t Is a Great Thing to
Be Respected by
the Neighbors.
BY ANGELO PATRI.
nEAR LITTLE SCHOOL GIRL.

LII oSI1ooL
In answer to your letter. Yes.
DO you think honesty is the best
policy when you get a demerit for
telling the truth? That's what hap
pens to me. The teacher says, Every
body who talked while I was busy
this morning, hold up his hand
talked so held up my hand So did
few others. You each take a
demerlt,' said she That means l
can't get on the honor roll this month,
and my father won't give me the
quarter I always get l wouldn't care
so much if another girl, the one I
was talking to, had confessed with
me, but she didn't so she gets an
A in department and gets on the
honor roll. Would you say honesty
is the best policy after that?"
Yes. l don't like the word policy
but it will serve. l think that it is
better to tell the truth and shame the
devil every time. I'd hate to be on
his side even when it took me to the
head of the honor roll. You see the
truth that was born in me. and you,
distinctly, But you do not belong
here, You broke the rule and you
did not tell the truth about it. Two
good reasons why you don't belong.
You cheated"
Id rather not feel like that I'd
rather feel good and mad about being
caught talking out of turn. and about
being left holding the bag into the
bargain. And I'd be mighty careful
not to get caught that way again, if
possible
Honesty is a personal matter, You
have to be honest with yourself and
for yourself Nobody else counts in
the matter. Even if other children
are honest, what of that to you? Or
if they are dishonest, what of it to
you? You have to settle with your
own conscience, and you won't find
that little voice asking any questions
of you about your neighbor, or max
ing things easier for you because of
that neighbors wrongdoing. So you'd
best be honest for your own souls
sake
l.
teacher who asked that question was
inexperienced She did not know
the ways of children or she would not
have done what she did. But she
learned something right there. Being
an intelligent person, she thought,
as she looked at those hands, HIM.
NIFTY didn't talk to herself. Katherine
helped her, of that I'm sure. Truth
ful little monkey anyway. And these
others, too At least they can be de-
pended upon to tell the truth III
have to be on the lookout for this"
Those who tell the truth, who
habituallv tell the truth, act truth
fully. stand by their principles Loyalty,
are soon known and soon respected.
1t is a great thing to feel respected
bv the neighborS, to be able to go
down the street with ones head up.
1t is great thing to be on good
terms With ones own conscience.
Don't let any momentary feeling of
injustice tempt you TO forget this.
Stand up and be counted every time,
and you will make the count worth
while to you and to your people.
Whenever you feel the injustice
of suffering for the truths sake just
read over the old fairy tale Of Merling
and the Necklace Of Truth. And read
some of the old Bible stories. You
will feel better about the whole mat
ter You will get on the honor roll
and stay there by and by if you just
keep the courage of your convictions.
Mr. Patri will give personal atten-
ton to inquiries from parents and
school teachers on the care and de-
velopment of children. Write him in
care of this paper, enclosing a Scent
stamped, self addressed envelope for
reply.
tCopyrght. 1877