Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1906-11-15

mn. bAuNg UIbhlh8u luuB, NEbu-
bling sigh OF relief and sat down to
the table again.
WE'LL no need to scare a body out
of their wits-scaring his mother to
death won't bring his money back, will
it? II ITS gone it's gone"
But ma, It is awful" cried Psyche.
Listen to what Uncle Peter says.
We're poor! Don't you understand!
Perez has lost all our money"
Mrs. Bines was eating her soup de-
family.
Longs he's got his health" she be-
gan.
"And me windin' up in the poor
house." whined Uncle Peter.
Think of it, NAL oh, what shall
we do?"
Percival entered. Uncle Peter did
not raise his head. Psyche stared at
him. His mother ran to him, satisfied
herself that he was sound in wind and
limb, that he had not treacherously
donned his summer underwear, and
that his feet we're not wet. Then she
led him to the table.
Now you sit right down here and
take some food. II you're all right,
everything is all right"
With a weak attempt at his old
gayety he began:
REALLY, Mrs. Crackenthorpe-" but
he caught Psyche's look and had to
stop.
I'm sorry, sis, clear into my bones.
made an ass of myself-a regular
fool right from the factory"
Never mind, my son; eat your
SOUP" said his mother. And then,
with honest intent to comfort him:
Remember that saying OF your pas,
1t takes all kinds of fools to make a
world
But there amt any fool like damn
fool!" said Uncle Peter, shortly. 81
been a-tellin' him"
well, you just let him alone; you'll
spoil his appetite, first thing you know.
My son, eat your soup now, before it
gets cold"
"If only hadn't gone in so heavy"
groaned Percival "Or, If I'd only got
tied up in some way for few weeks
something could tide over"
YES" said Uncle Peter, with
cheerful effort at sarcasm, tits always
easy to think up a lot Of holes you
could get out of-some different kind
of hole besides the one you're in.
That's all some folks can do when they
get in one hole, they say: oh, If was
only in that other one, now, how slick
l could climb out!' l amt ever met a
person yet was satisfied with the hole
they was in. Always some complaint
to make about EN-"
"And 1 had a chance to get out a
week ago."
Eyes, and you wouldn't take 1t, of
course-you knew too much-swellin'
around here about bein' Napoleon of
finance-and a Shepler and a Wizard
of Wall street, and all that kind of
guff-and you wouldn't take your
chance, and old Mr.. Chance went right
of and left you, that's what. tell
you, what some folks need is a breed
Of chances that'll stand without hitch
in"
Percival braced himself and began
on his soup.
Never you mind, Uncle Peter. You
remember what l told you"
THAT takes different man from
what you are. If your pa was alive
now"
But what are Ws going to do?" cried
Psyche.
First thing you'll do" said Uncle
Peter, promptly, you go write letter
to that beau Of your'n, tellin' him it's
all off. You don't want to let him be
the one to break it because you lost
your money, do you? you go sign his
release right this minute"
"Yes-syou're right, Uncle Peter-I
suppose it must be done--but the poor
fellow really cares for me-"
"Oh, Of course" answered the old
man, it'll fairly break his heart. You
do it just the same!"
She withdrew, and presently came |
back with a note which she dispatched |
to Mauburn.
Percival and his mother had contin-
ued their dinner, the former shaking |
his head between the intervals of the
old mans lashings, and appearing to
hold silent converse with himself.
This was an encouraging sign. It is |
a curious fact that people never talk e
to themselves except triumphantly.
In moments of real despair we are
inwardly dumb. But observe the hold
ers OF imaginary conversations. They
are conquerors to the last one. They
administer singing rebukes that leave
the adversary writing. They rise to
Alpine heights of pure wisdom and
power, leaving him to founder ignobly
in the mire Of his own faulty. They
achieve repartee the brilliance Of which
dazzles him to contemplate silence. If
statistics were at hand we should
doubtless learn that no man has ever
talked to himself save by way of DEM
onstrating his own godlike superiority,
h. |