A good story of a recent conversation between William Dean Howells and Mark Twain is going the rounds, says Harper’s Literary Gossip. Mark Twain was relating some of his experiences before he became famous. “My difficulties taught me some thrift,” he observed, “but I never knew whether is was wiser to spend my last nickel for a cigar to smoke or for an apple to devour.”

“I am astounded,” returned Mr. Howells, “that a person of so little decision should meet with so much worldly success.”

Mark Twain nodded very gravely. “Indecision about spending money,” he remarked, “is worthy of cultivation. When I couldn’t decide what to buy with my last nickel, I kept it and so became rich.”

50 Years Ago, 1955

The main section of the Maine Turnpike extension in Lewiston has been turned over to the paving contractor, reported Carleton A. Ranks, superintendent of the Yonkers Contracting Co. which has the drainage and grading contract.

Ranks said his crews still are working on the Lewiston Interchange but should complete removing the ledge this week and will gravel the entrance and exit to the turnpike next week. The work should be completed by Nov. 1, he added.

25 Years Ago, 1980

• Good grief! Charlie Brown is 30 years old. And it all began in a rather unlikely way – with a correspondence course in drawing “from one of those places that says ‘take our free talent test,'” said creator Charles Shulz, whose humble beginnings blossomed into an empire centered on the cartoon strip “Peanuts,” which celebrates its 30th birthday this month.

• Iraqi jets launched new attacks on the battered Iranian city of Abadan on Sunday and Iraq claimed it was poised for a decisive drive to capture they key oil refinery complex. But Iran said it was “wearing down the Iraqis” and was planning counterattacks as the war entered its fourth week.