Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-09
FIkMNEss OR oBsTNAcY ]?

of foalishness on your part. my love-" was her husbands response. T think" Mrs. Fynt shivered for fear. She knew by this time that T think" was apt to begin some disagreeable remark. T think it should rest with me to decide the name of the child. She shall be called Jane. That was my mothers name. and desire to Douglass will be her name. No need of tears. They will only axftate you and will make no difference in the result The ehild's name is decided"
 But the agitation increased until the nurse and the doctor were serious ly alarmed and the latter cautioned MT. Flynt that he must adopt a gen tier course in the sick room. if he wished to be allowed there at all.
 The time came when the baby was to be christened. and again John Flynt's firmness was displayed. He was not a very constant attendant at church. so Clara had followed her inclinations in church matters. and Episcopal church. which she had at tended all her life. Now her hus- band informed her that the child would be baptized in the old Presby- terian church. where the Flynts had always been prominent members and that i'm future he and his wife would belong to that congregation. Flat tered by his return to their midst, where he took a prominent pew. John F1ynt was elected to a position of influence in managing the affairs of the church, but it was soon discov- cred that his opinion must be deferred to in all things, and woe betide those who opposed him. They might as we'll have beaten their heads against the granite walls of the edifice itself. In firmness John Flynt and the stone structure were equals.
 Clara F1ynt had by this time accept ed the fact that her husbands opin- ion was the final decision in all things see the funny side of all things, and truly loved her husband in spite of his oddities, which were to her a source of laughter instead of tears Their next child was boy, and Clara suggested no name, leaving that mat ter entirely to her spouse.
 Much to her surprise she was con- suited as to the name of the infant. Whether the arrival of a son had soft ened his fathers heart, or whether a lingering memory remained in his conscience of bygone sternness, she never knew. She chose the name John. in honor of both father and grandfather, and said she would like Rutherford for a middle name, as it was a family name on her side of the house. The name pleased her husband. It had a stateliness about 1t that appealed to him. It had a resonant tone, as had also its owner, and as the boy had evidently inner ited his fathers f1rmness, he soon rules the household, father included, and John senior was compelled to yield to a will as strong as his own As time went on, MT. F1ynt entered the political arena, and there his rep utation for firmness stood him in good stead, particularly as it was accom- panied by his well known upright ness and honest dealing. One honor after another was rendered him, till he was at last elected mayor of his native city.
 In his home he had still the decid- ing voice. for even his son soon after leaving his babyhood behind him. found that parental authority must be met with dutiful submission, and his mothers sense of humor helped them both through life.
 Now which was it in John Flynt's character, firmness or obstinacy ? Whichever you call 1t. it developed into tyranny in his home and elsewhere.