South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-05-30
AUNT MARYS ADVICE.


John Thomas T Mr.. b rlknnp spoke
In Arm, rather authoritative voice.
II was evident that he anticipated
sOUe reluctance on the boys part. and,
therefore, ASSUMED in the outset, a
very decided manner.
John .Thomas,a lad between twelve
and thirteen years of age. was seated
on doorstep. reading. A slight
movement Of his body Indicated thst
he beard; but he did not lift his eyes
from the book, nor make any verbal
response.
John Thomasr THIS time the
voice Of NJ. Belknap was loud, sha.p
and imperative.
Sir responded the boy. dropping
the volume in his lap, and looking up
With Slightly flushed, bu. sullen
face.
'Didn't you hear me when / first
spokeT said Mr.. Belknap, aHgrily.
'Yes, sir
Then, Why didn't you answer me?
Always respond when You are spoken
TO. I'm tired OF this ,ll.manne:ed,
disre.pec full WY of yours
TIE boy stood up. looking, now,
dogge3y IS well as sulep.
Go and get your hat and jacket
This was said in tone of command,
accompanied by a side toss of the
head, ny way Of enforcing III. order.
What for2' asked John Thomas,
not moving a pace from where he
stood.
Go and do what tell you. Get
your hat and jarkct.'
The boy moved .lv, and with a
very reluctant ar, from the room.
Now cont tie all day. Nh. Rel
KNAPP cai ed after him. I'm in hur.
~. Move triskly.'
How powerless the fathers words
died on the air. Tue motions of j ohm
Thomas were not On ckened in the
slightest degree. Like sou less GU .
tomaton be passed out mo the pas
sage and up the stairs; white the im-
patient Mr.. Belknap c>ul6 with dim i.
Guilty restrain en- impulse to follow
after, ard hss'en The su'ky BOYS
movements with blows. lie con'roll.
ed himself, however, and resumed
the petusal OF his nexspap r. Five,
ten minutes passed, AMI John Them
as had not yet appeared TO do the or
rand upon which his father designed
to send hun. Suddenly ~. BE KNAPP
dropped his paper, and going hastily
to the bottom OF tie stairs, C lied out
You John I! John Tionss!
IS ~ came in provOkingly indif-
ferent voice from one of the cham bers.
ID dn't tell Jou to bury say2'
i can't find my jacket
You don't want to fiad il. Where
DID y u lay 1t when you took it oh
last night2'
q d MT know. forget
Ifyou're not down here with your
jacket on, in one minute, I'll warm
your shoulders we'll tor YOU.
MIR. B,lknap was quite in earnest
IN this thrca', a fact plainly eaough
apparent u John Thomas 10 the tone
OF his ia he's Voice. Not just wish
ing to have matters proceed To this
extremity, the bOy opened q closet
and sinRula ly enough. there hung bis
Jacket IN full view. At the expirsl ion
, Of the mInu' c. he was standing before
bus disturbed father, with his jacket
on, and bultoned up to the chin,
Where's your hal?' now asked SIR.
Belknap.
Il don't know. sir
well, find IL, them
'PVe 10 'ksd everywI ere.'
Look sgsin. There What is tia
on the bat rack, just under my eoatp
The boy answered not, but walked
moodily to the rack and took his bal
therefrom.
Ready at last. I declare I'm ouI
OF patience wi b your slow movements
end sulky manDe-. What do YOU
stand there for, knitting your browt
and pouling your lips2 Straighteu
out your face, SIR! won't have a
boy OF mine put on such a counLe-
/ nance
be lad, thus augrily and insult
ingly rated, made a feeble effort to
throw few raysnf sunshine into his
lace. But the effort died, fruitless.
All was SO dark sullen and rebe llious
wi. hin his bosom.
See here = Mr. Belknap still spoke
a. that peculiar tone Of commaud
which always stiles self-respect in
The one TO whom il IL addressed. DO
you go down TO Leslic's and tell him
to send me good CLAW hsmmer aud
turee pounds OF oighipenny nails.
And go quickly
The boy turned OF without a word
OF reply, snd was slovly moving a.
way, when bis father said, sharply:
Look here, cir
John Thomas paused and looked
back.
Did you hear me p
Yes, sir
What did tell you TO do9'
TO get you claw hammer and
three pounds Of eigbtPenny nails.