Year: 1873

FOOLISH OBsTINACY.-When L was a
well-grown boy, being away from home
for vacation, very naturally broke
one of my suspenders. / 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: al do not like to have
you take possession of my things in this
arbitrary way. 1t has already bred
bad habit in you. But know that you
need suspenders. and you can have them
when you are willing to ask for them"


But | had long cultivated false in
dependence, and refused to ask properly
for things | needed. / had fixed on
way Of my own for getting helped at
table, and instead of asking for things
with an expression of thanks, had re-
solved that statement of my wants, as
81 would like some butter" was as far
| could bring myself to go.


| could not, therefore, ask for sus-
penders, and contented myself with the
remaining one. / assure you it was
great annoyance to me to have my pants
hung on me in that lopside 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 L needed,
and the wretched habit was strength
ening. He told me it would prevent my
getting things from God; for they could
only be had by asking for them. 1
frankly told him hated to give in after
| had held ont so long. He said it was
easier than after | had held ont longer.


Still, | was not ready. And as my
suspender was tearing off the top OF my
trousers, | changed it over to the other
button. Father said / could not be
allowed to tear my clothes in that man
ner, and sent to get a tow string for
another suspender 1t cut my shoulder
so bad for week that brought myself
to say, when he had given me some
money for another purpose, 81 am sick
of wearing these old strings, and | think
it high time / had some decent sus-
penders, 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
this limiting in a roundabout way is not
what is required. Then / got mad,
and declared it was a mean shane, that
| was an abused boy, and other sputter-
rngs of wrath that were in accordance
with my state of temper.


About this time it became necessary
to buy me a suit of clothes. And L
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 1t was with doubtful success. 1
felt like the boy with the fox under his
cloak. i tried to keep my face straight
but 1T gnawed my very vitals. Finally,
| went to father when he was asleep,
and said, Father"


He opened his eyes and said, "Well ?'


81 would like some suspenders,"
said |.


He paused a moment, and then said,
Il think you might have phrased that
request better but you Will find a pair
in that upper drawer"


L went to it, and took out a nice new
pair that had been lying there nearly
all the time L had been saving my
shoulder with those old strings. 1 felt
heartily ashamed of myself. He had
the thing | wanted all ready provided,
was anxious l should enjoy it, grieved
over my loss of comfort and temper,
while L was keeping him and myself ont
OF pleasure.