The supply still keeps up with the enormous and ever increasing demand
for Fools, which is fortunate for the capitalist, the plutocrat, the
politician, and the church who are the largest consumers in this line.
The common article in the raw and entirely unsophisticated is not so
largely in demand as formerly; but is still used in some localities
more or less. An ever increasing demand exists for the gilded article,
and competition for choice specimens in this line is always keen. A
large assorted lot is maintained for special purposes in Ottawa, and,
while not available on the open fool market, is held by a syndicate
of politicians to be used when exigent. Accordingly this large lot
is sometimes high priced, and sometimes away down below the market.
Lately, owing to local conditions, market values have been much
depressed. One of the strong ones of the syndicate has been heard to
define them as a “bad lot.” If by one means or another control could be
obtained of this large assorted Ottawa lot it could be made very hot in
the immediate vicinity; but such a happening is very unlikely, as the
syndicate at present in possession is very strong and has lately taken
measures to make such a scheme nearly hopeless. If this motley lot
should suddenly be stampeded, open their eyes, become sophisticated and
come to appreciate the fact that they are alive, there would be a panic
and fortunes would be lost and won. There is a nervous and skittish
feeling among them at this time; so a stampede is not altogether an
unlikely event. Strong syndicates sometimes overshoot the mark. We
would therefore advise fool-holders to skin the eye and, as some one
has said, “Look out for the locomotive when the bell rings.” Really no
one knows what fools will do.
[Illustration]
It’s a poor man who cannot offer you an opinion and a wise man accepts
few.
* * * * *
Many are obscure and happy; a few are in the glare of publicity and
suffer much therefor.
* * * * *
My son, Life is a game the rules of which are much complicated and
difficult of apprehension.