Connecticut western news., 1884-01-02
VOL. XIII.

"Whatsis to be done with that boy, Aunt Mary ?" Thomas Belknap re- peated his words. "Tve tried everything with him."
 "Have you tried"
 Aunt Mary paused, and seemed half in doubt whether it were better to give utterance to what was in her mind.
 'Tried what ?" asked Thomas Bel knap.
 ''May I speak plainly2" said Aunt Mary.
 ''To me9 why, yes the plainer the better"
 ''Have you tried a kind, affectionate, unimpassioned manner with the boy :? Since have been here I notice that you speak to him in cold, authoritative tone, Under such treatment. some natures that soften quickly in the sunshine of affec- tion, grow hard and stubborn"
 The blood mounted to the cheeks and brow of Thomas Belknap.
 Forgive me, if I have spoken too plainly" said Aunt Mary.
 Thomas Belknap did not make any re- sponse for some time, but sat, with his eyes upon the floor, in hurried self-ex- animation.
 "No, Aunt Mary; not too plainly" " said he, as he looked at her with 8 sobered face. "I needed that sugges- tion and I thank you for it..
 "NIrs. Hewitt has line which beautl- fully expresses what I mean," said Aunt Mary, in her gentle, earnest way, ''It is:
 "sFor love hath readier will than fear An if we could all comprehend the wonderful power of love! It is the fire that melts, while fear only smites, the strokes hardening or breaking its un- slightly fragments. John has many good qualities that ought to be made as active as possible. These, like goodly flowers growing in carefully titled gar den, will absorb the latent vitality in his mind, and thus leave nothing from which inherent evil tendencies can draw nutri- tion."
 Aunt Mary said no more, and Thomas Belknap's thoughts were soon busy with a new train of ideas.
 Time moved steadily on nearly half an hour had elapsed, in which period John might have gone twice to Leslie's shop and returned, yet he was still ab- sent. Thomas Belknap was particularly in want of the hammer and nails and the delay chafed him very considerably-the more particularly as it evidenced the ln- difference of his son in respect to his wishes and commands. Sometimes he would yield to 8 momentary binding flush of anger and resolve to punish the boy severely the moment he could get his hands on him. But quickly would come in Aunt Mary's suggestion and he would again resolve to try the power of kind words. He was also a good deal strengthened in his purpose by the fact that Aunt Mary's eyes would be upon him at the return of John. After her suggestion and his acknowledgment of its value, it would hardly do for him to let passion so rule him as to act in open violation of what was right-to wrong his son by unwise treatment, when he professed to desire only his good.
 The fact is, Thomas Belknap had al- ready made the discovery that if he would govern his boy he must first govern himself. This was not an easy task; yet he felt that it must be done.
 "There comes that boy, now," said he, as he glanced forth and saw John coming homeward at 8 very deliberate pace. There was more of impatience in his tone of voice than he wished to be- tray to Aunt Mary, who let her beauti- ful eyes rest, for moment or two, pene- tratingly upon him. The balancing power of that look was needed, and it performed its work.
 Soon after, the lettering boy came in; he had package of nails in his hand, which he reached, half indiferently, to his father.
 "The hammer?"
 John started, with half-frightened air.
 "Indeed, father, I forgot all about it p said he, looking up with flushed coun- tenance in which genuine regret was plainly visible.
 'I'm sorry," said Thomas Belknap, in a disappointed, but not angry or rebuk- ing voice; 'I've been waiting a long time for you to come back, and now I must go to the shop without mailing up that treIlis for your mothers honey suckle, as promised her."
 The boy looked at his father mo, ment or two with an air of bewilder. ment and surprise, then he said, earnestly:
 'Just wait little, father; I'll run down to the shop and get it for you in g minute; I'm very sorry that forgot it.
 "Run, ,then," said Thomas Belknap kindly.
 How feetly the lad bounded away His father gazed after him with an emo tion of surprise not unmixed with pleas ure.
 ''Yes, yes, he murmured, half aloud ''Mrs. Hewitt never uttered wiser say ing, For love hath readier will thai fear"
 Quicker than even Aunt Mary, whose faith in kind words was very strong, hat expected, John came in with the ham mer, bright glow on his cheeks and { sparkle in his eyes, that strongly con trasted with the utter want of interes ) displayed in his manner a little while be ! fore.
 "Thank you, my son." said Thomas Belknap. as he took the hammer. sc