28 Bosh-Bosh Oil.

two feet from the top. And on this he sat, while
Gardner looked at him in astonishment, for he was
truly a most remarkable fellow. He looked
young, he looked old. He was very big and
round, and he had the kindest, frankest, sweetest
face you can imagine. Gardner thought at first
he must be made of glass, for he was so wonder-
fully transparent—you could see right through him.

)

‘“Now, boy,” said he, ‘what do you want te
ask me?”

‘“Why you don’t tell the truth at all times >”

retisthetmuthrat all times, aivomelarmyelriatn
itself,” was the indignant answer.

‘But every one says that ‘truth Zes at the bot-
tom of a well.’”’

At this Truth laughed heartily, so heartily that
he almost fell from his slippery seat, and then he
explained that it was a different kind of a “lie.”

“But I don’t see,’ continued Gardner, “why
you live at the do¢fom of a well, anyway. I should
think you would prefer the top. But perhaps,
Truth, you can’t lie down as easily at the top of a
well.”