Connecticut western news., 1884-01-02
AUNT MARY'S SUGGESTION

AUNT MAR1S SUGGESIlON "John l" Thomas Belknap spoke in 8 firm, rather authoritative voice. It was evident that he anticipated some reluc- tance on the boys part.
 John, lad between twelve and thir- teen years of age, was seated on the doorstep, reading. A slight movement of the body indicated that he heard; but he did not make any response.
 sJohn!' This time the voice of Thomas Bellznap was loud, sharp, and imperative.
 Father responded the boy, drop ping the volume in his lap, and looking up with slightly flushed but sullen face.
 Didn't you hear me when I first spoke ?" said Thomas Belknap, angrily. ''Yes, father"
 "Then why didn't you answer me? Always respond when you are spoken to. I'm tired of this .ill-mannered,. disre- respectful way of yours"
 The boy stood up, looked now dogged as well as sullen.
 ''Go and do what I tell you. Get your hat and jacket"
 The boy moved slowly, and with 8 very reluctant air, from the room.
 ''Now don't be all day." Thomas Belknap called after him. "I'm in a hurry. Move briskly."
 How powerless the fathers words died upon the air The motions of John were not in the least quickened. He passed out into the passage and up the stairs, while the impatient Thomas Bel knap could with difficulty restrain an inn pulse to follow after and hasten the sulky boys movements with blows. He controlled himself, however, and re- sumed the perusal of his newspaper. Five, ten minutes passed, and John had not yet appeared to do the errand upon which his father designed to send him. Suddenly Thomas Belknap dropped his paper, and, going hastily to the bottom of the stairs, called out
 You John, John !''
 'tFather," replied John.
 Didn't I tell you to hurry?'
 "I cant find my jacket"
 "You don't want to find 1t. Where did you lay it when you took it of last night ?'
 ''I don't know. forget"
 'If you're not down here with your jacket on in one minute, I'll warm your shoulders well for you"
 Thomas Belknap was quite in earnest in this threat, fact plainly enough ap- parent to John in the tone of his fathers voice. The boy opened closet, and, singularly enough, there hung his jacket in full view. At the expiration of the minute he was standing before his father with his jacket on and buttoned up to the chin.
 "Where's your hat? ?'' asked Thomas Belknap.
 'I don't know, father"
 ''Well, find it then.'
 'I've looked everywhere"
 'Iook again. There what is that on the hat-raek just under my coat ?"
 The boy answered not, but walked moodily to the rack and took his hat therefrom.
 Ready at last. I'm out of all patience with your slow movements and sulky manner. What do you stand there for, knitting your brows and pouting your lips?"
 The lad, thus angrily rated, madc a feeble effort to throw a few rays of sun- shine into his face. But the effort died fruitless. All was too dark, sullen and rebellious within his bosom.
 See here;" Thomas Belknap stil spoke in that peculiar tone of command which always stiles self-respect in the one to whom it is addressed, "do yor go down to Leslie's and tell him to sent me good claw hammer and three pounds of eightpenny nails. And gc quickly"
 The boy turned off without word and was slowly moving away, when hi father said, sharply:
 Look here, sir."
 John paused and looked back.
 Did you hear me? ?"
 ''Yes, father"
 "What did I tell you to do?
 'Go get claw hammer and thre, pounds of eightpenny nails." "Very well. Why didn't you indicate in some way that you heard me? Hay, not I already this morning read you , lecture about this very thing? Now Q, quickly; I'm in a hurry"
 For all this impatience and autborit, on the part of Thomas Belknap, Job1 moved away at a snails pace. And a the former, in state of considerable ir ritability, gazed after the boy, he fel strongly tempted to call him back an give him a good fogging in order that h might clearly comprehend the fact C his being iu earnest.
 eff that stubborn and incorrigibl boy returns in half an hour 1t will be wonder, " muttered Thomas Belknap, a came back into the sitting-room. '' ish knew what to do with him,
 ,yer saw such boy. He knows tha
 n in hurry, and yet there he goes
 eping along like tortoise. What - be done with him, Aunt Mary?"
 Thomas Belknap turned as he spok an elderly lady with mild, open fac