Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-28
THE SPENDERS A TALE OF THE THIRD GENERATION
By HARRY LEON WILSON
Copyright. by Lothrop Publishing Company.

it takes all kinds of fools to make . world"
 But there ain't any fool like damn fool!" said Uncle Peter, shortly. "J 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 I 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 a 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 could climb out!' 1 ain't ever met person yet was satisfied with the hole they was in. Always some complaint to make about 'em"
 And I had a chance to get out a week ago."
 "Yes, and you wouldn't take It. of course-you knew too much-swellin' around here about bein' Napoleon of finance-and Shepler and Wizard of Wall street, and all that kind of guff-and you wouldn't take. your chance, and old MT. Chance went right of and left you. that's what. I tell you. what some folks need is 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 told you" :. That takes a different man from what you are. If your pa was alive now"
 But what are we going to do?" cried Psyche. First thing you'll do," said Uncle Peter promptly, you go write a 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? lou go sign his release right this minute"
 "Yes-you're right, Uncle Peter-I suppose it must be done-but the poor fellow really cares for me-"
 "Oh, of course" answered the old I f,t hfc hoort Vnn 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 to themselves except triumphantly. In moments of real despair we are inwardly dumb. But observe the hold CTS of imaginary conversations. They are conquerors to the last one. They iCpohSS sh@S A~s~' the adversary writhing. They rise to Alpine heights of pure wisdom and power, leaving him to founder ignobly ia the mire of his own fatuity. They achieve repartee the brilliance of which dazzles him to contemptible silence. Il statistics were at hand we should i doubtless learn that no man has evel talked to himself save by way of dem onstrating his own godlike superiority and the tawdry impotence of all ob stacles and opponents. Percival talked to himself and mentally lived the nex five years in a style that reduced Uncle Peter to grudging but imperative awe for his superb gifts of admins tration. He bathed in this imaginar, future as in the waters of omnipotence As time went on he foresaw the shaft' of Uncle Peter being turned back upol him with such deadliness that, by th' time the roast came, his breast wal swelling with pity for that senil' scoffer.
 Uncle Peter had first declared tha the thought of food sickened him Prevailed upon at last by Mrs. Bine' to taste the soup, he was soon eatini as those present had of late rarely seel him eat.
 "'Tain't natural appetite, .Aough, he warned them. Its kind of mania before go all to pieces, s'pose."
 "Nonsensei We'll have you all righ in a week" said PercivaL Just re member that I'm going to take care o you
 My son can do anything he make up his mind to-" declared Mrs. Bine -"just anything he lays out to do."
 They talked until late into the nigh of what he should Hay out" to do.
 Meantime the stronghold of Mau burns optimism was being desperate ly stormsd.
 h an evening paper he had read O Percival's losses. The afternoon pres of New York is not apt to understat the facts of a given case. The aecoun |, Mauburn read stated that the younl western millionaire had beggared hi family.
 Mauburn had gone to his room to b !, alone with this bitter news. He hal begun to face 1t when Psycfe's not of release came. While he was sd i, justins this development. anOthe knock came on his door. It was thi same maid who had brought Psyche mi. This time she brought what b