Year: 1873

When ! was a well.grown boy, being
away from home for a vacation, very
naturally broke one Of my suspenders. l
Immediately took possession Of an extra
pair that my father was using for another
purpose, without so much as saying by
your leave" When he discovered it, he
bade me return them to their former use.
He then added " do not like to have
you take possession Of my things in this
arbitrary way It has always bred bad
habit in you. But know that you need
suspenders and you eau have them when
you arc willing to ask for them"


But had long cultivated false indie.
pendence, and refused 10 ask properly for
things | needed had fixed on a way Of
my own for getting helped at the table, and
instead Of asking for things with an ex.
preston of thanks, had resolved that
statement Of my wants, as | would like
some butter" was as far as | could bring
myself to go.


| could not, therefore, ask for the sus-
penders, and | contented myself with the
remaining ones. assure you, it was a
great annoyance to me to have my pants
hung on me in that lopsided manner, and
great grief to my father that should be
so obstinate.


About five weeks after this my father
had plain talk with me about my folly,
his anxiety to give me what needed, and
the wretched habit was strengthening
He told me it would prevent my getting
things from God, for they could only be
had by asking for them. | frankly told
him | hated to give 10 after | had held out
so long. He only said it was easier than
after | had held out longer.


Still was not ready and as my one
suspender was tearing off the top of my
trousers, | changed it over to the other but
ton. Father said could not be allowed to
tear my clothes in that manner, and sent
me to get tow string for another suspen-
der. 1t cut my shoulders so bad for
week that | brought myself to say, when
be had given me some money for another
purpose, " am sick Ct wearing these old
strings, and / think it high time l had
some decent suspenders. Can't | take this
money and get some ?"


He simply said " You know you can
have them when you frankly and squarely
ask for them. But you know that this
limiting in a roundabout way is not what is
required"


Then | got mad, and declared that it was
a mean shame, that | was an absurd boy,
and other sputterings of wrath that we're
in accordance with my state Of temper.


About this time it became necessary to
buy me a new suit of clothes And gave
myself and my father the immense chagrin
of trying them on before the dealer with
those old strings over my back. | tried
my best to conceal them, but it was with
doubtful success. felt like the boy with
the fox under his cloak tried to keep
my face straight, but it gnawed my very
yitals.


Finally, went to father when he was
asleep, and said, Father"


/" He opened his eyes and said, "Well ?"


q" | would like some suspenders," said |.


He paused a moment, and then said
" think you might have phrased that re.
quest better; but you will find pair in
that upper drawer"


| weut to it, and took out nice new
pair that had been lying there nearly all
the time that had been saving my shoul-
der with those old strings. | felt heartily
ashamed of myself He had the thing |
wanted already provided, was anxious l
should enjoy it, grieved over my loss of
comfort aud temper, while ! was keeping
him aud myself out Of a pleasure


| have since learned that God has bless
ngs already provided-all sorts of sus-
penders. He yearn' to give them to US, is
sorry for our toiiing and hurts but we 90
on saving our shoulders, tearing our tenn
pers, losing infinite blessings, bearing in
finite burdens, and grieving our Father, all
because we will not ask for suspenders.