A Jolly by Josh | Page 9

the better off for gratifying them.
Arguments of all sorts will be brought forward by men who have
yielded to these desires; but, while convincing the one who is eager to
be convinced, they are all of the negative sort,--they try to prove there
is no reason why they should not. Our touchstone will not pass any
such arguments: there must be positive reason why you should do a
thing, otherwise do not do it.
This may seem Puritanical, but let's be Puritans to a certain extent. Play
no games that are not distinctly winning games. There is a winning
game to be played. Why, then, play a game which is neither a winning

nor a losing game? It never gave me any pleasure to gamble with a
machine or with cards, because I know these to be losing games. The
plan of the game is always laid out so that the balance of chance is
slightly against the player, sometimes considerably against the player,
else why should the game be started?
We are left better off in no respect after all these desires are gratified.
We are poorer in money, in pocket, in self-respect, and often in virtue.
We could go on so indefinitely through the list of all sorts of desires,
but I have only touched upon a few of the more crucial ones to show
how the touchstone should be applied; and even then results are crude,
and would be of little help to you in fixing on a low scale of
expenditure. They may, however, give you some ideas which will seem
to guide you when you come to meet the problems for yourself.
And now we come back to the original question, whether you really
want a pony. There are several really good ones in the stable that you
can use. You are to be away a large part of the year, and you have
never made half the use which you might have of your opportunities to
ride.
I am, nevertheless, enclosing a check for the amount necessary to
purchase your pony, because at your age I took a trip through the
Rocky Mountains, which awakened in me a new desire for riding. It
has proved my greatest ally in the severe strains to which the pursuit of
my object has subjected me to, and because your ancestors have always
kept their iron constitutions into extreme old age by almost daily rides,
and because the sense of ownership of a horse may awaken in you the
love and knowledge of the animal, and may accomplish a similar happy
result.
Yours very truly, UNCLE JOSH.

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