The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

From the Sabbath School Herald.

I CANNOT TELL A LIE

In the war of the revolution, while Gen. Lafayette commanded in the American army, a part of the troops were encamped at a certain place near the water's edge. One calm summer's evening a soldier, who was a fifer in one of the companies, went into the water for the purpose of bathing. Being an excellent swimmer, as well as fifer, he took his fife with him to the water, and engaged in fifing and swimming at the same time. The music reached the ear of Lafayette. Early the next morning, he sent an officer in pursuit of the man, who had thus been playing, disobeyed the orders of the camp.

The soldier was a native of Connecticut, and a man of truth. When arrested by the officer, and on the way to the General's tent, he thought within himself, that perhaps he might escape a severe punishment by denying the deed. On a few moments reflection, however, he said to himself. "I have always spoken the truth—I cannot tell a lie." With this principle in his mind, he came into the presence of the General, who asked him if he was the individual who played upon the water the evening previous; to which he replied "I am."

"And do you know," continued Lafayette, "of any others in the army, who can play the same tune?" "Two or three, I do," said the soldier.

"To-morrow evening then at such an hour, I wish you to repair to my tent with them."

They came at the appointed hour. The General then informed them, that the tune which he had heard the evening before, affected him very much—that on a former occasion it had been played at a funeral of a dear friend of his, who died in his native country. Since then, until now, he had never met with the individual who could play it. "For the purpose of indulging in the melancholy pleasure of hearing it once more, I have," said he, "sent for you."

The General, after being agreeably entertained, with the conversation and music of his guests, dismissed them with his thanks, and some guineas from his purse, as an expression of his satisfaction in their performance.

"I cannot tell a lie," is a good rule to follow.