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To be an entirely orthodox father I should raise merry hell

about your debts

and utter inutility, at the same time disinheriting you, but instead I am going

to urge you to come home and run in debt here where the cost of living is

not so high as in the East--meanwhile praying that your

while I am on earth to rejoice.

awakening may come

Your affectionate

FATHER,

Am enclosing check to cover your debts and present needs.

For a long time the boy sat looking at the letter before him. He reread it once,

twice, three times, and with each reading the film of unconscious egotism that

had blinded him to his own shortcomings gradually became less opaque, until

finally he saw himself as his father must see him. He had come to college for the

purpose of fitting himself to succeed in some particular way in the stern battle of

life which must follow his graduation; for, though his father had ample means to

support him in indolence, Jimmy had never even momentarily considered such

an eventuality.

In weighing his assets now he discovered that he had probably as excellent a

conception of gridiron strategy and tactics as any man in America; that as a

boxer he occupied a position in the forefront of amateur ranks; and he was quite

positive that out-side of the major leagues there was not a better first baseman.

But in the last few minutes there had dawned upon him the realization that none

of these accomplishments was greatly in demand in the business world. Jimmy

spent a very blue and unhappy hour, and then slowly his natural optimism

reasserted itself, and with it came the realization of his youth and strength and

inherent ability, which, without egotism, he might claim.

The Efficiency Expert