The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1903-08-06
A Twelve Year Old Man.

william, said Mrs. Barry. one even
ing to her husband. l caught Wilson
smoking to dsy. Wilson, be ii explain
ed. Is the twelve year old hope Of The
Barry ismily,)
III talk 70 the boy. ssii Mr., Barry.
He kept bis word, aud talked long and
earnestly to bis 500. bat without effect,
for one Saturday night about Two weeks
later Mrs. Bury said:
William, Wilson has been smoking
sesio,
Mr.. Barry does not believe 10 corporal
punishment. Therefore be talked 10
the lad once more. He called the boy
to bin end explained the folly Of smok
Jog, what 40 expensive habit II was aod
how Injurious TO the health.
Bat you smoke. urged Wilson.
I'm . man. replied the father. Do
you think you are msn2
I'm man enough to smoke.
Not o. twelve years Of sge. said the
father HoWev,r. you sre stubborn about
IL. and l suppose you will have your
own way 10 the matter. 30. II you
think you ere man enough, you msy
smoke % much ss yon wish,
Wilson went to bed thst night slightly
uneasy. He knew his father. and he
expected sometbiog TO happep.
The next morniog. Sunday. Wilson
did not come down to breskisst OF the
usual time. His father called him.
l can't come down, walled . voice that
suuuduu - n tne owner might be on the
point Of tesrs,
Why notf
loan. fad my clothes.
Upstairs the father went His son was
sitting on the edge OF the bed, clad only
10 = nishtshirs.
Why don't you dress' asked. Mr..
Barry.
] Iosn't Every stitch Of my clothes is
gone.
There are clothes on thss chair. Pot
them on.
They're yours. can't wesr them.
they're too big.
Pot them on.
Wilson looked st bis father and obey
cd. sobbing Justify.
II you ere big enough TO smoke like .
men you Gre big enough to wesr . mems
clothes. Here after you will dress to
sui. your assumed sse. You may have
the use OF my wardrobe until you can
get one Of your own. bot oil your cloth
log thst you boy must be Of siz, and
style appropriate to your adult condition.
I will expect you downstairs at once.
With these words The father left the
room. When Wilson appeared 10 the
iining-room, he IVES . eight. the cost
vest, trousers. shoes, shirt and collar
we're very much too large for him thst aes
pite bis a1sbed. tesr.s.ained fee. bis
appearance vas anything bot psthe'io,
he hsd no sppetite. bat under the eye
u bis parents msnssed to choke down
,ome food. Breakfast faisbed, Mr.. Bar
y ssid:
You need not 60 10 church this morn
ng. You seem awkward 10 the dress
Iou are wearing. We will cit on the
,sck porch snd bsves chat.
The porch was broad and cool, screen
ID from neishborly observation BY thick
'ioss. II vas altogether . desirable
place to Wilson Just then.
HIVE . cigar, ssid Mr., Barry politely
vhen they bad seated themselves. lis .
,rs.ty good brand, though perhaps no.
u expensive - your brand. Here is
match. Take part Of the morning paper
nd msks yourself comfortable.
The boy took the cigar. snd, impelled
y 90 i0de6ostls fesr, lighted II, though
10 felt bsshiul and constrained, Then be
ned to hide himself behind section Of
be newspaper. Bat be hsd no pesce
from time to time bis father ssked bic
pipions sbout the most peculiar things -
sriH.. strikes. B.lkso Btstest politics
I'D Hospcs. Not only we're bis opinions
sked, bat bis 10 her gently though firm
, insisted upon completely bevilderiDg
be boy. Al 6st Wilson thought bis
.lber intsn led 10 sicker him BY mskiDg
i'm smoke too many cigars. bat when The
rst one vas flushed snd be vas poi
,ressed 10 have smother. be sbsndoLed
bat idea His fs.bsr merely ssid; You
nos shere .be box is. Help Jour
eli
No more eissu did Wilson smoke tbs.
soroioe.
With terror 10 bic heart be honnder
a through discussions that meant moth |
ps to him. Tsiee be ssv his pet rabbits
ONE oui OF their botch ed creep noder
be fence into forbidden territory where
here sss . cat that vs fond Il rsbbits
~. Esch tine be started op 10 drive