第7章
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Yourpraisesofmyliteraturegavemethesolidestgratification；butIneverdidhavethefullestconfidenceinmycriticalpenetration，andnowyourverdictonS——hasknockedwhatlittleIdidhavegully-west！Ididn”tenjoyhisgush，butIthoughtalotofhissimileswereeversovividandgood。Butit”sjustmyluck；everytimeI
gointoconvulsionsofadmirationoverapictureandwanttobuyitrightawaybeforeI”velostthechance，somewretchwhoreallyunderstandsartcomesalonganddamnsit。ButIdon”tmind。Iwouldratherhavemyignorancethananotherman”sknowledge，becauseIhavegotsomuchmoreofit。
IsendyouNo。5today。Ihavewrittenandre-writtenthefirsthalfofitthreedifferenttimes，yesterdayandtoday，andatlastMrs。Clemenssaysitwilldo。Ineversawawomansohardtopleaseaboutthingsshedoesn”tknowanythingabout。
Yoursever，MARK。
Ofcourse，thereferencetohiswife”scriticisminthisistenderlyplayful，asalways——ofapatternwiththeseveritywhichhepretendsforherinthenext。
ToMrs。W。D。Howells，inBoston：
1875
DEARMRS。HOWELLS，——Mrs。Clemensisdelightedtogetthepictures，andsoamI。Icanperceiveinthegroup，thatMr。HowellsisfeelingasIsooftenfeel，viz：“Well，nodoubtIaminthewrong，thoughIdonotknowhoworwhereorwhy——butanywayitwillbesafesttolookmeek，andwalkcircumspectlyforawhile，andnotdiscussthething。”AndyoulookexactlyasMrs。Clemensdoesaftershehassaid，“IndeedIdonotwonderthatyoucanframenoreply：foryouknowonlytoowell，thatyourconductadmitsofnoexcuse，palliationorargument——none！
Ishalljustdelightinthatgrouponaccountofthegoodoldhumandomesticspiritthatpervadesit——botherthesefamilygroupsthatputonastateaspecttogettheirpicturestakenin。
Wewantaheliotypemadeofoureldestdaughter。Howsoftandrichandlovelythepictureis。Mr。Howellsmusttellmehowtoproceedinthematter。
TrulyYoursSAM。L。CLEMENS。
InthenextletterwehaveapictureofSusy——[Thisspellingofthenamewasadoptedsomewhatlaterandmuchpreferred。Itappearsas“Susie“inmostoftheearlierletters。]——Clemens”sthirdbirthday，certainlyaprettypicture，andassweetandluminousandtendertodayasitwasfortyyearsago-asitwillbeahundredyearshence，iftheselinesshouldsurvivethatlong。TheletteristoheruncleCharlesLangdon，the“Charlie“oftheQuakerCity。“Atwater“wasassociatedwiththeLangdoncoalinterestsinElmira。“Theplay“
is，ofcourse，“TheGildedAge。”
ToCharlesLangdon，inElmira：
Mch。19，1875。
DEARCHARLIE，——Livy，afterreadingyourletter，usedherseverestformofexpressionaboutMr。Atwater——towit：Shedidnot“approve“ofhisconduct。Thismademeshudder；foritwasequivalenttoAllieSpaulding”ssaying“Mr。Atwaterisameanthing；“orRev。ThomasBeecher”ssaying“DamnthatAtwater，“ormysaying“IwishAtwaterwasthreehundredmillionmilesin——！“
However，Livydoesnotoftengetintooneofthesefuries，Godbethanked。
InBrooklyn，Baltimore，Washington，Cincinnati，St。LouisandChicago，theplaypaidmeanaverageofninehundreddollarsaweek。Insmallertownstheaverageis$400to$500。
ThisisSusie”sbirth-day。Lizziebroughtherinat8。30thismorning(beforewewereup)hoodedwithablanket，redcurl-papersinherhair，agreatredjaponica，inonehand(forLivy)andayellowrose-budnestledinviolets(formybuttonhole)intheother——andshelookedwonderfullypretty。Shedeliveredhermemorialsandreceivedherbirth-daykisses。
Livylaidherjaponica，downtogetabetter“holt“forkissing-whichSusiepresentlyperceived，andbecamethoughtful：thensaidsorrowfully，turningthegreatdeepsofhereyesuponhermother：“Don”tyoucareforyouwow？“
Rightafterbreakfastwegotuparousingwoodfireinthemainhall(itisacoldmorning)illuminatedtheplacewitharichglowfromalltheglobesofthenewellchandelier，spreadabrightrugbeforethefire，setacirclingrowofchairs(pinkonesanddove-colored)andinthemidstalowinvalid-tablecoveredwithafancifulclothandladenwiththepresents——apinkazaliainlavishbloomfromRosa；agoldinscribedRussia-leatherbiblefromPatrickandMary；agoldring(inscribed)from“MaggyCook；“asilverthimble(inscribedwithmottoandinitials)fromLizzie；arattlingmobofSundaycladdollsfromLivyandAnnie，andaNoah”sArkfromme，containing200woodenanimalssuchasonlyahumanbeingcouldcreateandonlyGodcallbynamewithoutreferringtothepassengerlist。Thenthefamilyandthesevenservantsassembledthere，andSusieandthe“Bay“arrivedinstatefromabove，theBay”sheadbeingfearfullyandwonderfullydecoratedwithaprofusionofblazingredflowersandoverflowingcataractsoflycopodium。Weecongratulatorynotesaccompaniedthepresentsoftheservants。Itellyouitwasagreatoccasionandastrikingandcheerygroup，takingallthesurroundingsintoaccountandthewintryaspectoutside。
(Remaindermissing。)
TherewastobeacentennialcelebrationthatyearofthebattlesofLexingtonandConcord，andHowellswrote，urgingClemensandhiswifetovisitthemandattendit。Mrs。Clemensdidnotgo，andClemensandHowellsdidnotgo，either——tothecelebration。Theyhadtheirownideasaboutgettingthere，butfoundthemselvesunabletoboardthethrongedtrainatConcord，andwenttrampingaboutinthecoldandmud，huntingaconveyance，onlytoreturnatlengthtothecheerofthehome，defeatedandratherlowinspirits。
Twichell，whowentonhisownhook，hadnosuchdifficulties。ToHowells，MarkTwainwrotetheadventuresofthisathleticandstrenuousexponentofthegospel。
The“Winnie“mentionedinthisletterwasHowells”sdaughterWinifred。Shehadunusualgifts，butdidnotlivetodevelopthem。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
FARMINGTONAVENUE，HARTFORD。Apl。23，1875。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——I”vegotMrs。Clemens”spicturebeforeme，andhopeI
shallnotforgettosenditwiththis。
JoeTwichellpreachedmorningandeveningherelastSunday；tookmidnighttrainforBoston；gotanearlybreakfastandstartedbyrailat7。30
A。M。forConcord；swelledaroundthereuntil1P。M。，seeingeverything；thentraveledontopofatraintoLexington；saweverythingthere；traveledontopofatraintoBoston，(withhundredsincompany)
delugedwithdust，smokeandcinders；yelledandhurrahedallthewaylikeaschoolboy；layflatdowntododgenumerousbridges，andsailedintothedepot，howlingwithexcitementandasblackasachimney-sweep；
gottoYoung”sHotelat7P。M。；satdowninreading-roomandimmediatelyfellasleep；waspromptlyawakenedbyaporterwhosupposedhewasdrunk；
wanderedaroundanhourandahalf；thentook9P。M。train，satdowninsmokingcarandrememberednothingmoreuntilawakenedbyconductorasthetraincameintoHartfordat1。30A。M。Thinkshehadsimplyaglorioustime——andwouldn”thavemissedtheCentennialfortheworld。
HewouldhaverunouttoseeusamomentatCambridge，butwastoodirty。
Iwouldn”thavewantedhimthere——hisappallingenergywouldhavebeenaninsufferablereproachtomildadventurerslikeyouandme。
Well，heiswelcometothegoodtimehehad——Ihadadealbetterone。
MynarrativehasmadeMrs。Clemenswishshecouldhavebeenthere——WhenIthinkoverwhatasplendidgoodsociabletimeIhadinyourhouseI
feeleversothankfultothewiseprovidencethatthwartedourseveralably-plannedandingeniousattemptstogettoLexington。Iamcomingagainbeforelong，andthensheshallbeoftheparty。
NowyousaidthatyouandMrs。HowellscouldrundownherenearlyanySaturday。Verywellthen，letuscallitnextSaturday，fora“starter。”
Canyoudothat？Bythattimeitwillreallybespringandyouwon”tfreeze。Thebirdsarealreadyout；asmallonepaidusavisityesterday。Weentertaineditandletitgoagain，Susieprotesting。
Thespringlazinessisalreadyuponme——insomuchthatthespiritbeginstomovemetoceasefromMississippiarticlesandeverythingelseandgivemyselfovertoidlenessuntilwegotoNewOrleans。Ihaveonearticlealreadyfinished，butsomehowitdoesn”tseemasproperachaptertoclosewithastheonealreadyinyourhands。Ihopetogetinamoodandrattleoffagoodonetofinishwith——butjustnowallmymoodsarelazyones。
Winnie”sliteraturesingsthroughmeyet！Surelythatchildhasoneofthese“futures“beforeher。
Nowtrytocome——willyou？
Withthewarmestregardsofthetwoofus——
Yrsever，S。L。CLEMENS。
Mrs。ClemenssentanotetoMrs。Howells，whichwillserveasapendanttotheforegoing。
FromMrs。ClemenstoMrs。Howells，inBoston：
MYDEARMRS。HOWELLS，——Don”tdreamforoneinstantthatmynotgettingaletterfromyoukeptmefromBoston。Iamtooanxioustogotoletsuchathingasthatkeepme。
Mr。ClemensdidhavesuchagoodtimewithyouandMr。Howells。
HeevidentlyhasnoregretthathedidnotgettotheCentennial。IwasdrivennearlydistractedbyhislongaccountofMr。Howellsandhiswanderings。Iwouldkeepaskingiftheyevergotthere，hewouldneveranswerbutmademelistentoaveryminuteaccountofeverythingthattheydid。AtlastIfoundthembackwheretheystartedfrom。
Ifyoufindmisspelledwordsinthisnote，youwillremembermyinfirmityandnotholdmeresponsible。
Affectionatelyyours，LIVYL。CLEMENS。
InspiteofhissuccesswiththeSellersplayandhisitchtofollowitup，MarkTwainrealizedwhathebelievedtobehisliterarylimitations。
Allhislifehewasinclinedtoconsiderhimselfwantinginthefinergiftsofcharacter-shadinganddelicateportrayal。RememberingHuckFinn，andtherarepresentationofJoanofArc，wemaynotaltogetheragreewithhim。Certainly，hewasneverqualifiedtodelineatethosefineartificialitiesoflifewhichwearelikelytoassociatewithculture，andperhapsitwassomethingofthissortthatcausedthehesitationconfessedintheletterthatfollows。WhethertheplansuggestedinterestedHowellsornotwedonotknow。InlateryearsHowellswroteanovelcalledTheStoryofaPlay；thismayhavebeenitsbeginning。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
FARMINGTONAVENUE，HARTFORD，Apl。26，1875。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——AnactornamedD。H。Harkinshasbeenheretoaskmetoputuponpapera5-actplaywhichhehasbeenmappingoutinhismindfor3or4years。Hesatdownandtoldmehisplotallthrough，inaclear，brightway，andIwasadealtakenwithit；butitisalineofcharacterswhosefineshadingandartisticdevelopmentrequiresanablerhandthanmine；soIeasilyperceivedthatImustnotmaketheattempt。
ButIlikedtheman，andthoughttherewasagooddealofstuffinhim；
andthereforeIwantedhisplaytobewritten，andbyacapablehand，too。SoIsuggestedyou，andsaidIwouldwriteandseeifyouwouldbewillingtoundertakeit。Ifyouliketheidea，hewillcalluponyouinthecourseoftwoorthreeweeksanddescribehisplotandhischaracters。Thenifitdoesn”tstrikeyoufavorably，ofcourseyoucansimplydecline；butitseemstomewellworthwhilethatyoushouldhearwhathehastosay。Youcouldalso“average“himwhilehetalks，andjudgewhetherhecouldplayyourpriest——thoughIdoubtifanymancandothatjustice。
Shan”tIwritehimandsayhemaycall？Ifyouwishtocommunicatedirectlywithhiminstead，hisaddressis“LarchmontManor，WestchesterCo。，N。Y。”
Doyouknow，thechillofthat19thofAprilseemstobeinmybonesyet？
Iaminertanddrowsyallthetime。Thatwasvillainousweatherforacoupleofwanderingchildrentobeoutin。
YseverMARK。
ThesinistertypewriterdidnotfinditswaytoHowellsfornearlyayear。Meantime，MarkTwainhadrefusedtoallowthemanufacturerstoadvertisehisownership。Hewrotetothem：
HARTFORD，March19，1875。
Pleasedonotusemynameinanyway。PleasedonotevendivulgethefactthatIownamachine。Ihaveentirelystoppedusingthetypewriter，forthereasonthatInevercouldwritealetterwithittoanybodywithoutreceivingarequestbyreturnmailthatIwouldnotonlydescribethemachine，butstatewhatprogressIhadmadeintheuseofit，etc。，etc。Idon”tliketowriteletters，andsoIdon”twantpeopletoknowIownthiscuriosity-breedinglittlejoker。
Threemonthslaterthemachinewasstillinhispossession。Blisshadtradedatwelve-dollarsaddleforit，butapparentlyshowedlittleenthusiasminhisnewpossession。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
June25，1875。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——ItoldPatricktogetsomecarpentersandboxthemachineandsendittoyou——andfoundthatBlisshadsentforthemachineandearneditoff。
IhavebeentalkingtoyouandwritingtoyouasifyouwerepresentwhenItradedthemachinetoBlissforatwelve-dollarsaddleworth$25
(cheatinghimoutrageously，ofcourse——butconsciencegottheupperhandagainandItoldhimbeforeIleftthepremisesthatI”dpayforthesaddleifhedidn”tlikethemachine——onconditionthathedonatesaidmachinetoacharity)
Thiswasalittleoverfiveweeksago——soIhadlongagoconcludedthatBlissdidn”twantthemachineanddidwantthesaddle——whereforeIjumpedatthechanceofshovingthemachineoffontoyou，saddleornosaddlesoIgottheblamedthingoutofmysight。
ThesaddlehangsonTara”swallsdownbelowinthestable，andthemachineisatBliss”sgrimlypursuingitsappointedmission，slowlyandimplacablyrottingawayanotherman”schancesforsalvation。
IhavesentBlisswordnottodonateittoacharity(thoughitisapitytofoolawayachancetodoacharityanillturn，)buttoletmeknowwhenhehasgothisdose，becauseI”vegotanothercandidatefordamnation。Youjustwaitacoupleofweeksandifyoudon”tseetheType-WritercometiltingalongtowardCambridgewithanunsatisfiedappetiteinitseye，Ilosemyguess。
Don”tyoubemadaboutthisblunder，Howells——itonlycomesofabadmemory，andthestupiditywhichisinseparablefromtruegenius。Nothingintentionallycriminalinit。
YrseverMARK。
ItwasNovemberwhenHowellsfinallyfellunderthebalefulinfluenceofthemachine。Hewrote：
“ThetypewritercameWednesdaynight，andisalreadybeginningtohaveitseffectonme。Ofcourse，itdoesn”twork：ifIcanpersuadesomeoftheletterstogetupagainsttheribbontheywon”tgetdownagainwithoutdigitalassistance。Thetreadlerefusestohaveanypartorparcelintheperformance；andIdon”tknowhowtogettherollertoturnwiththepaper。NeverthelessIhavebegunseveralletterstoMyd-a-rlemans，asitpreferstospellyourrespectedname，andIdon”tdespairyetofsendingyousomethinginitsbeautifulhandwriting——afterI”vehadamanoutfromtheagent”stoputitinorder。It”sfascinatinginthemeantime，anditwastesmytimelikeanoldfriend。”
TheClemensfamilyremainedinHartfordthatsummer，withtheexceptionofabriefseasonatBateman”sPoint，R。I。，nearNewport。BythistimeMarkTwainhadtakenupandfinishedtheTomSawyerstorybeguntwoyearsbefore。NaturallyhewishedHowellstoconsidertheMS。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，July5th，1875。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Ihavefinishedthestoryanddidn”ttakethechapbeyondboyhood。Ibelieveitwouldbefataltodoitinanyshapebutautobiographically——likeGilBlas。Iperhapsmadeamistakeinnotwritingitinthefirstperson。IfIwenton，now，andtookhimintomanhood，hewouldjustlikelikealltheone-horsemeninliteratureandthereaderwouldconceiveaheartycontemptforhim。Itisnotaboy”sbook，atall。Itwillonlybereadbyadults。Itisonlywrittenforadults。
Moreoverthebookisplentylongenoughasitstands。Itisabout900
pagesofMS，andmaybe1000whenIshallhavefinished“workingup“
vagueplaces；soitwouldmakefrom130to150pagesoftheAtlantic——
aboutwhattheForegoneConclusionmade，isn”tit？
IwoulddearlyliketoseeitintheAtlantic，butIdoubtifitwouldpaythepublisherstobuytheprivilege，ormetosellit。BretHartehassoldhisnovel(samesizeasmine，Ishouldsay)toScribner”sMonthlyfor$6，500(publicationtobegininSeptember，Ithink，)andhegetsaroyaltyof7？percentfromBlissinbookformafterwards。HegetsaroyaltyoftenpercentonitinEngland(issuedinserialnumbers)andthesameroyaltyonitinbookformafterwards，andistoreceiveanadvancepaymentoffivehundredpoundsthedaythefirstNo。
oftheserialappears。IfIcoulddoaswell，here，andthere，withmine，itmightpossiblypayme，butIseriouslydoubtitthoughitislikelyIcoulddobetterinEnglandthanBret，whoisnotwidelyknownthere。
YouseeItakeavile，mercenaryviewofthings——butthenmyhouseholdexpensesaresomethingalmostghastly。
ByandbyIshalltakeaboyoftwelveandrunhimonthroughlife(inthefirstperson)butnotTomSawyer——hewouldnotbeagoodcharacterforit。
IwishyouwouldpromisetoreadtheMSofTomSawyersometime，andseeifyoudon”treallydecidethatIamrightinclosingwithhimasaboy-
andpointoutthemostglaringdefectsforme。Itisatremendousfavortoask，andIexpectyoutorefuseandwouldbeashamedtoexpectyoutodootherwise。Butthethinghasbeensomanymonthsinmymindthatitseemsarelieftosnakeitout。Idon”tknowanyotherpersonwhosejudgmentIcouldventuretotakefullyandentirely。Don”thesitateaboutsayingno，forIknowhowyourtimeistaxed，andIwouldhavehonestneedtoblushifyousaidyes。
OsgoodandIare“goingfor“thepuppyG——oninfringementoftrademark。Towinoneortwosuitsofthiskindwillsetliteraryfolksonafirmerbottom。IwishOsgoodwouldsueforstealingHolmes”spoem。
Wouldn”titbegorgeoustosueR——forpettylarceny？IwillpromisetogointocourtandswearIthinkhimcapableofstealingpea-nutsfromablindpedlar。
Yrsever，CLEMENS。
OfcourseHowellspromptlyrepliedthathewouldreadthestory，adding：“You”venoideawhatImayaskyoutodoforme，someday。
I”msorrythatyoucan”tdoitfortheAtlantic，butIsuccumb。
PerhapsyouwilldoBoyNo。2forus。”Clemens，conscience-
stricken，meantime，hastilyputtheMS。outofreachoftemptation。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
July13，1875
MYDEARHOWELLS，——JustassoonasyouconsentedIrealizedalltheatrocityofmyrequest，andstraightwayblushedandweakened。
ItelegraphedmytheatricalagenttocomehereandcarryofftheMSandcopyit。
ButIwillgladlysendittoyouifyouwilldoasfollows：dramatizeit，ifyouperceivethatyoucan，andtake，foryourremuneration，halfofthefirst$6000whichIreceiveforitsrepresentationonthestage。Youcouldaltertheplotentirely，ifyouchose。Icouldhelpinthework，mostcheerfully，afteryouhadarrangedtheplot。Ihavemyeyeupontwoyounggirlswhocanplay“Tom“and“Huck。”Ibelieveagooddealofadramacanbemadeofit。Come——can”tyoutacklethisintheoddhoursofyourvacation？orlater，ifyouprefer？
Idowishyoucouldcomedownoncemorebeforeyourholiday。I”dgiveanything！
Yrsever，MARK。
HowellswrotethathehadnotimeforthedramatizationandurgedClemenstoundertakeithimself。Hewasreadytoreadthestory，wheneveritshouldarrive。Clemensdidnothurry，however，ThepublicationofTomSawyercouldwait。Healreadyhadabookinpress——thevolumeofSketchesNewandOld，whichhehadpreparedforBlissseveralyearsbefore。
Sketcheswasissuedthatautumn，andHowellsgaveitagoodnotice——
possiblybetterthanitdeserved。
ConsideredamongMarkTwain”sbooksto-day，thecollectionofsketchesdoesnotseemespeciallyimportant。Withtheexceptionofthefrogstoryandthe“TrueStory“mostofthoseincluded——mightbespared。ClemenshimselfconfessedtoHowellsthatHewished，whenitwastoolate，thathehaddestroyedanumberofthem。Thebook，however，wasdistinguishedinaspecialway：itcontainsMarkTwain”sfirstutteranceinprintonthesubjectofcopyright，amatterinwhichheneveragainlostinterest。
Theabsurdityandinjusticeofthecopyrightlawsbothamusedandirritatedhim，andinthecourseoftimehewouldbelargelyinstrumentalintheirimprovement。InthebookhisopenpetitiontoCongressthatallpropertyrights，aswellasliteraryownership，shouldbeputonthecopyrightbasisandlimitedtoa“beneficenttermofforty-twoyears，“
wasmoreorlessofajoke，but，likesomanyofMarkTwain”sjokes，itwasfoundedonreasonandjustice。
Hehadanotheridea，thatwasnotajoke：anearlyplaninthedirectionofinternationalcopyright。ItwastobeapetitionsignedbytheleadingAmericanauthors，askingtheUnitedStatestodeclareitselftobethefirsttostandforrightandjusticebyenactinglawsagainstthepiracyofforeignbooks。Itwasaratherutopianscheme，asmostschemesformoralprogressare，intheirbeginning。ItwouldnotbelikelyevertoreachCongress，butitwouldappealtoHowellsandhisCambridgefriends。Clemenswrote，outlininghisplanofaction。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，Sept。18，1875。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Myplanisthis——youaretogetMr。LowellandMr。
Longfellowtobethefirstsignersofmycopyrightpetition；youmustsignityourselfandgetMr。Whittiertodolikewise。ThenHolmeswillsign——hesaidhewouldifhedidn”thavetostandatthehead。ThenI”mfixed。Iwillthenputagentlemanlychapunderwagesandsendhimpersonallytoeveryauthorofdistinctioninthecountry，andcorraltherestofthesignatures。ThenI”llhavethewholethinglithographed(aboutathousandcopies)andmoveuponthePresidentandCongressinperson，butinthesubordinatecapacityofapartywhoismerelytheagentofbetterandwisermen——menwhomthecountrycannotventuretolaughat。
IwillaskthePresidenttorecommendthethinginhismessage(andifheshouldaskmetositdownandframetheparagraphforhimIshouldblush——butstillIwouldframeit。)
NextIwouldgetaprimeleaderinCongress：Iwouldalsoseethatvotesenoughtocarrythemeasurewereprivatelysecuredbeforethebillwasoffered。ThisIwouldtrythroughmyleaderandmyfriendsthere。
AndthenifEuropechosetogoonstealingfromus，wewouldsaywithnobleenthusiasm，“Americanlawmakersdostealbutnotfromforeignauthors——Notfromforeignauthors！“
Yousee，whatIwanttodriveintotheCongressionalmindisthesimplefactthatthemorallawis“Thoushaltnotsteal“——nomatterwhatEuropemaydo。
IswearIcan”tseeanyuseinrobbingEuropeanauthorsforthebenefitofAmericanbooksellers，anyway。
IfwecanevergetthisthingthroughCongress，wecantrymakingcopyrightperpetual，someday。Therewouldbenosortofuseinit，sinceonlyonebookinahundredmillionsoutlivesthepresentcopyrightterm——nosortofuseexceptthatthewriterofthatonebookhavehisrights——whichissomething。
IfweonlyhadsomeGodinthecountry”slaws，insteadofbeinginsuchasweattogetHimintotheConstitution，itwouldbebetterallaround。
Theonlymanwhoeversignedmypetitionwithalacrity，andsaidthatthefactthatathingwasrightwasall-sufficient，wasRev。Dr。Bushnell。
Ihavelostmyoldpetition，(whichwasbrief)butwilldraftandencloseanother——notinthewordsitoughttobe，butinthesubstance。IwantMr。Lowelltofurnishthewords(andtheideastoo，)ifhewilldoit。
Say——RedpathbeseechesmetolectureinBostoninNovember——telegraphsthatBeecher”sandNast”swithdrawalhasputhiminthetightestkindofaplace。SoIguessI”lldothatold“RoughingIt“lectureoveragaininNovemberandrepeatit2or3timesinNewYorkwhileIamatit。
CanItakeacarriageafterthelectureandgooutandstaywithyouthatnight，providedyoufindatthatdistanttimethatitwillnotinconvenienceyou？IsAldrichhomeyet？
WithlovetoyouallYrsever，S。L。C。
OfcoursethepetitionneverreachedCongress。Holmes”scommentthatgovernmentswerenotinthehabitofsettingthemselvesupashighmoralexamples，exceptforrevenue，wassharedbytoomanyothers。Thepetitionwastabled，butClemensneverabandonedhispurposeandlivedtoseemostofhisdreamfulfilled。Meantime，Howells”snoticeoftheSketchesappearedintheAtlantic，andbroughtgratefulacknowledgmentfromtheauthor。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，Oct。19，1875。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Thatisaperfectlysuperbnotice。Youcaneasilybelievethatnothingevergratifiedmesomuchbefore。Thenewspaperpraisesbestoweduponthe“InnocentsAbroad“werelargeandgenerous，butsomehowIhadn”tconfidenceinthecriticaljudgementofthepartieswhofurnishedthem。Youknowhowthatis，yourself，fromreadingthenewspapernoticesofyourownbooks。Theygratifyabody，buttheyalwaysleaveasmallpangbehindintheshapeofafearthatthecritic”sgoodwordscouldnotsafelybedependeduponasauthority。YoursistherecognizedcriticalCourtofLastResortinthiscountry；fromitsdecisionthereisnoappeal；andso，tohavegainedthisdecreeofyoursbeforeIamfortyyearsold，Iregardasathingtoberightdownproudof。Mrs。Clemenssays，“TellhimIamjustasgratefultohimasIcanbe。”(Itsoundsasifsheweregratefultoyouforheroicallytramplingthetruthunderfootinordertopraisemebutinrealityitmeansthatsheisgratefultoyouforbeingboldenoughtoutteratruthwhichshefullybelievesallcompetentpeopleknow，butwhichnonehasheretoforebeenbraveenoughtoutter。)Yousee，thethingthatgravelsheristhatIamsopersistentlyglorifiedasamerebuffoon，asifthatentirelycoveredmycase——whichshedenieswithvenom。
TheotherdayMrs。Clemenswasplanningavisittoyou，andsoIamwaitingwithapleasurablehopefortheresultofherdeliberations。
Weareexpectingvisitorseveryday，now，fromNewYork；andafterwardsomearetocomefromElmira。IjudgethatweshallthenbefreetogoBostonward。Ishouldbejustdelighted；becausewecouldvisitincomfort，sinceweshouldn”thavetodoanyshopping——diditallinNewYorklastweek，andatremendouspullitwastoo。
Mrs。C。saidtheotherday，“WewillgotoCambridgeifwehavetowalk；
forIdon”tbelievewecanevergettheHowellsestocomehereagainuntilwehavebeenthere。”Iwasgratifiedtoseethattherewasonestring，anyway，thatcouldtakehertoCambridge。ButIwilldoherthejusticetosaythatsheisalwayswantingtogotoCambridge，independentoftheselfishdesiretogetavisitoutofyoubyit。Iwanthertogetstarted，now，beforechildren”sdiseasesarefashionableagain，becausetheyalwaysplaysuchhobwithvisitingarrangements。
WithlovetoyouallYrsEverS。L。CLEMENS。
MarkTwain”stripstoBostonwereusuallymadealone。Womenrequiremorepreparationtogovisiting，andMrs。ClemensandMrs。Howellsseemtohaveexchangedvisitsinfrequently。ForMarkTwain，perhaps，itwasjustaswellthathiswifedidnotalwaysgowithhim；hisabsent-mindednessandboyishingenuousnessoftenledhimintodifficultieswhichMrs。Clemenssometimesfoundembarrassing。
IntheforegoinglettertheywereplanningavisittoCambridge。Intheonethatfollowstheyseemtohavemadeit——withcertainresults，perhapsnotaltogetheramusingatthemoment。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
Oct。4，”75。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Wehadaroyalgoodtimeatyourhouse，andhavehadaroyalgoodtimeeversince，talkingaboutit，bothprivatelyandwiththeneighbors。
Mrs。Clemens”sbodilystrengthcameuphandsomelyunderthatcheeryrespitefromhouseholdandnurserycares。IdohopethatMrs。Howells”sdidn”tgocorrespondinglydown，undertheaddedburdentohercaresandresponsibilities。OfcourseIdidn”texpecttogetthroughwithoutcommittingsomecrimesandhearingofthemafterwards，soIhavetakentheinevitablelashingsandbeenabletohumatunewhilethepunishmentwenton。I“caughtit“forlettingMrs。Howellsbotherandbotherabouthercoffeewhenitwas“agooddealbetterthanwegetathome。”
I“caughtit“forinterruptingMrs。C。atthelastmomentandlosinghertheopportunitytourgeyounottoforgettosendherthatMSwhentheprintersaredonewithit。I“caughtit“oncemoreforpersonatingthatdrunkenCol。James。I“caughtit“formentioningthatMr。Longfellow”spicturewasslightlydamaged；andwhen，afteralullinthestorm，Iconfessed，shame-facedly，thatIhadprivatelysuggestedtoyouthatwehadn”tanyframes，andthatifyouwouldn”tmindhintingtoMr。Houghton，&c。，&c。，&c。，theMadamwassimplyspeechlessforthespaceofaminute。
Thenshesaid：
“Howcouldyou，Youth！TheideaofsendingMr。Howells，withhissensitivenature，uponsucharepulsiveer”
“Oh，Howellswon”tmindit！Youdon”tknowHowells。Howellsisamanwho”Shewasgone。ButGeorgewasthefirstpersonshestumbledoninthehall，soshetookitoutofGeorge。Iwasgladofthat，becauseitsavedthebabies。
I”vegotanotherrattlinggoodcharacterformynovel！Thatgreatworkismullingitselfintoshapegradually。
Mrs。ClemenssendslovetoMrs。Howells——meantimesheisdiligentlylayingupmaterialforalettertoher。
YrseverMARK。
The“George“ofthisletterwasMarkTwain”scoloredbutler，avaluedandevenbelovedmemberofthehousehold——amostpicturesquecharacter，who“onedaycametowashwindows，“asClemensusedtosay，“andremainedeighteenyears。”ThefictionofMrs。Clemens”sseverityhealwaysfoundamusing，becauseofitsentirecontrastwiththerealityofhergentleheart。
ClemenscarriedtheTomSawyerMS。toBostonhimselfandplaceditinHowells”shands。Howellshadbeggedtobeallowedtoseethestory，andMrs。Clemenswasespeciallyanxiousthatheshoulddoso。
Shehaddoubtsastocertainportionsofit，andhadthefullestfaithinHowells”sopinion。
Itwasagratifyingonewhenitcame。Howellswrote：“IfinishedreadingTomSawyeraweekago，sittinguptilloneA。M。togettotheend，simplybecauseitwasimpossibletoleaveoff。It”saltogetherthebestboy”sstoryIeverread。Itwillbeanimmensesuccess。ButIthinkyououghttotreatitexplicitlyasaboy”sstory。Grown-upswillenjoyitjustasmuchifyoudo；andifyoushouldputitforthasastudyofboycharacterfromthegrown-uppointofview，yougivethewrongkeytoit……Theadventuresareenchanting。IwishIhadbeenonthatisland。Thetreasure-
hunting，thelossinthecave——it”sallexcitingandsplendid。
Ishouldn”tthinkofpublishingthisstoryserially。Givemeahintwhenit”stobeout，andI”llstartthesheeptojumpingintherightplaces“——meaningthathewouldhaveanadvancereviewreadyforpublicationintheAtlantic，whichwasaleaderofcriticisminAmerica。
MarkTwainwaswritingagreatdealatthistime。HowellswasalwaysurginghimtosendsomethingtotheAtlantic，declaringawillingnesstohavehisnameappeareverymonthintheirpages，andClemenswasgenerallycontributingsomestoryorsketch。The“proof“referredtointhenextletterwasofoneofthesearticles。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，Nov。23，”75。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Herewithistheproof。Inspiteofmyself，howawkwardlyIdojumblewordstogether；andhowoftenIdousethreewordswhereonewouldanswer——athingIamalwaystryingtoguardagainst。
IshallbecomeasslovenlyawriterasCharlesFrancisAdams，ifIdon”tlookout。(Thatissaidinjest；becauseofcourseIdonotseriouslyfeargettingsobadasthat。InevershalldropsofartowardhisandBretHarte”slevelastocatchmyselfsaying“Itmusthavebeenwisertohavebelievedthathemighthaveaccomplisheditifhecouldhavefeltthathewouldhavebeensupportedbythosewhoshouldhave&c。&c。&c。)
ThereferencetoBretHarteremindsmethatIoftenaccusehimofbeingadeliberateimitatorofDickens；andthisinturnremindsmethatIhavechargedunconsciousplagiarismuponCharleyWarner；andthisinturnremindsmethatIhavebeendelightingmysoulfortwoweeksoverabrannewandingeniouswayofbeginninganovel——andbehold，allatonceitflashesuponmethatCharleyWarneroriginatedtheidea3yearsagoandtoldmeaboutit！Aha！Somuchforself-righteousness！Iamwellrepaid。Hereare108pagesofMS，newandclean，lyingdisgracedinthewastepaperbasket，andIambeginningthenoveloveragaininanunstolenway。IwouldnotwonderifIamtheworstliterarythiefintheworld，withoutknowingit。
ItisgloriousnewsthatyoulikeTomSawyersowell。Imeantoseetoitthatyourreviewofitshallhaveplentyoftimetoappearbeforetheothernotices。Mrs。Clemensdecideswithyouthatthebookshouldissueasabookforboys，pureandsimple——andsodoI。Itissurelythecorrectidea。Astothatlastchapter，Ithinkofjustleavingitoffandaddingnothinginitsplace。SomethingtoldmethatthebookwasdonewhenIgottothatpoint——andsothestrongtemptationtoputHuck”slifeattheWidow”sintodetail，insteadofgeneralizingitinaparagraphwasresisted。JustsendSawyertomebyexpress——Ienclosemoneyforit。Ifitshouldgetlostitwillbenogreatmatter。
Companyinterferedlastnight，andso“PrivateTheatricals“goesovertillthisevening，tobereadaloud。Mrs。Clemensismad，butthestorywilltakethatallout。Thisisgoingtobeasplendidwinternightforfiresidereading，anyway。
Iamalmostatadeadstand-stillwithmynewstory，onaccountofthemiseryofhavingtodoitalloveragain。We——allsendlovetoyou——all。
YrseverMARK。
The“story“referredtomayhavebeenanyoneofseveralbegunbyhimatthistime。Hisheadwasfullofideasforliteratureofeverysort。
Manyofhisbeginningscametonothing，forthereasonthathestartedwrong，orwithnodefinitelyformedplan。Othersofhisliteraryenterpriseswerecondemnedbyhiswifefortheirgrotesquenessorfortheoffensetheymightgiveinonewayoranother，howeverworthytheintentionbehindthem。Oncehewroteaburlesqueonfamilyhistory“TheAutobiographyofaDamnedFool。”“Livywouldn”thaveit，“hesaidlater，“soIgaveitup。”TheworldisindebtedtoMarkTwain”swifeforthechecksheputuponhisfantasticorviolentimpulses。Shewashispublic，hisbestpublic——clearheadedandwise。Thatherealizedthis，andwaswillingtoyield，wasbynomeanstheleastofhisgoodfortunes。
Wemaybelievethathedidnotalwaysyieldeasily，andperhapssometimesonlyoutofloveforher。Intheletterwhichhewroteheronherthirtiethbirthdaywerealizesomethingofwhatshehadcometomeaninhislife。
ToMrs。ClemensonherThirtiethBirthday：
HARTFORD，November27，1875。
Livydarling，sixyearshavegonebysinceImademyfirstgreatsuccessinlifeandwonyou，andthirtyyearshavepassedsinceProvidencemadepreparationforthathappysuccessbysendingyouintotheworld。Everydaywelivetogetheraddstothesecurityofmyconfidence，thatwecanneveranymorewishtobeseparatedthanthatwecaneverimaginearegretthatwewereeverjoined。Youaredearertometo-day，mychild，thanyouwereuponthelastanniversaryofthisbirth-day；youweredearerthenthanyouwereayearbefore——youhavegrownmoreandmoredearfromthefirstofthoseanniversaries，andIdonotdoubtthatthispreciousprogressionwillcontinueontotheend。
Letuslookforwardtothecominganniversaries，withtheirageandtheirgrayhairswithoutfearandwithoutdepression，trustingandbelievingthatthelovewebeareachotherwillbesufficienttomakethemblessed。
So，withaboundingaffectionforyouandourbabies，Ihailthisdaythatbringsyouthematronlygraceanddignityofthreedecades！
AlwaysYoursS。L。C。
EndLettersVol。3
byMarkTwainVOLUMEIII。
MARKTWAIN”SLETTERS1876-1885
XVI。
LETTERS，1876，CHIEFLYTOW。D。HOWELLS。LITERATUREANDPOLITICS。
PLANNINGAPLAYWITHBRETHARTE
TheMondayEveningClubofHartfordwasanassociationofmostoftheliterarytalentofthatcity，anditincludedanumberofverydistinguishedmembers。Thewriters，theeditors，thelawyers，andtheministersofthegospelwhocomposeditweremoreoftenthannotmenofnationalorinternationaldistinction。Therewasbutonepaperateachmeeting，anditwaslikelytobeapaperthatwouldlaterfinditswayintosomemagazine。
NaturallyMarkTwainwasoneofitsfavoritemembers，andhiscontributionsneverfailedtoarouseinterestanddiscussion。A
“MarkTwainnight“broughtouteverymember。Inthenextletterwefindthefirstmentionofoneofhismostmemorablecontributions——astoryofoneoflife”smoralaspects。Thetale，nowincludedinhiscollectedworks，is，forsomereason，littlereadto-day；yetthecuriousallegory，sovividinitsseemingreality，iswellworthconsideration。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，Jan。11，”76。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Indeedwehaven”tforgottentheHowellses，norscoredupagrudgeofanykindagainstthem；butthefactisIwasunderthedoctor”shandsforfourweeksonastretchandhavebeendisabledfromworkingforaweekorsobeside。IthoughtIwaswell，abouttendaysago，soIsentforashort-handwriteranddictatedanswerstoabushelorsooflettersthathadbeenaccumulatingduringmyillness。Gettingeverythingshipshapeandclearedup，IwenttoworknextdayuponanAtlanticarticle，whichoughttobeworth$20perpage(whichisthepricetheyusuallypayformywork，Ibelieve)foralthoughitisonly70
pagesMS(lessthantwodayswork，countingbybulk，)Ihavespent3moredaystrimming，alteringandworkingatit。Ishallputinonemoreday”spolishingonit，andthenreaditbeforeourClub，whichistomeetatourhouseMondayevening，the24thinst。IthinkitwillbringoutconsiderablediscussionamongthegentlemenoftheClub——thoughthetitleofthearticlewillnotgivethemmuchnotionofwhatistofollow，——thistitlebeing“TheFactsConcerningtheRecentCarnivalofCrimeinConnecticut“——whichremindsmethattoday”sTribunesaystherewillbeastartlingarticleinthecurrentAtlantic，inwhichabeingwhichistangiblebudinvisiblewillfigure-exactlythecasewiththesketchofminewhichIamtalkingabout！However，minecanlieunpublishedayearortwoaswellasnot——thoughIwishthatcontributorofyourshadnotinterferedwithhiscoincidenceofheroes。
ButwhatIamcomingat，isthis：won”tyouandMrs。HowellscomedownSaturdaythe22ndandremaintotheClubonMondaynight？WealwayshavearattlinggoodtimeattheClubandwedowantyoutocome，eversomuch。Willyou？Nowsayyouwill。Mrs。ClemensandIarepersuadingourselvesthatyoutwainwillcome。
Myvolumeofsketchesisdoingverywell，consideringthetimes；receivedmyquarterlystatementtodayfromBliss，bywhichIperceivethat20，000
copieshavebeensold——orrather，20，000hadbeensold3weeksago；alotmore，bythistime，nodoubt。
Iamonthesicklistagain——andwas，daybeforeyesterday——butonthewholeIamgettingalong。
YrseverMARK
Howellswrotethathecouldnotcomedowntotheclubmeeting，addingthatsicknesswas“quiteoutofcharacter“forMarkTwain，andhardlyfaironamanwhohadmadesomanyotherpeoplefeelwell。HeclosedbyurgingthatBliss“hurryout“”TomSawyer。”
“Thatboyisgoingtomakeaprodigioushit。”Clemensanswered：
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston。
HARTFORD，Jan。18，”76。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Thanks，andeversomany，forthegoodopinionof”TomSawyer。”Williamshasmadeabout300rattlingpicturesforit——someofthemverydainty。Poordevil，whatageniushehasandhowhedoesmurderitwithrum。Hetakesabookofmine，andwithoutsuggestionfromanybodybuildsnoendofpicturesjustfromhisreadingofit。
TherewasneveramanintheworldsogratefultoanotherasIwastoyoudaybeforeyesterday，whenIsatdown(instillratherwretchedhealth)
tosetmyselftothedrearyandhatefultaskofmakingfinalrevisionofTomSawyer，anddiscovered，uponopeningthepackageofMSthatyourpencilmarkswerescatteredallalong。Thiswassplendid，andsweptawayalllabor。InsteadofreadingtheMS，Isimplyhuntedoutthepencilmarksandmadetheemendationswhichtheysuggested。Ireducedtheboybattletoacurtparagraph；IfinallyconcludedtocuttheSundayschoolspeechdowntothefirsttwosentences，leavingnosuggestionofsatire，sincethebookistobeforboysandgirls；ItamedthevariousobscenitiesuntilIjudgedthattheynolongercarriedoffense。So，atasinglesittingIbeganandfinishedarevisionwhichIhadsupposedwouldoccupy3or4。daysandleavemementallyandphysicallyfaggedoutattheend。IwascarefulnottoinflicttheMSuponyouuntilIhadthoroughlyandpainstakinglyrevisedit。Therefore，theonlyfaultsleftwerethosethatwoulddiscoverthemselvestoothers，notme——andtheseyouhadpointedout。
Therewasoneexpressionwhichperhapsyouoverlooked。WhenHuckiscomplainingtoTomoftherigoroussysteminvogueatthewidow”s，hesaystheservantsharasshimwithallmannerofcompulsorydecencies，andhewindsupbysaying：“andtheycombmealltohell。”(Noexclamationpoint。)Longago，whenIreadthattoMrs。Clemens，shemadenocomment；
anothertimeIcreatedoccasiontoreadthatchaptertoherauntandhermother(bothsensitiveandloyalsubjectsofthekingdomofheaven，sotospeak)andtheyletitpass。Iwasglad，foritwasthemostnaturalremarkintheworldforthatboytomake(andhehadbeenallowedfewprivilegesofspeechinthebook；)whenIsawthatyou，too，hadletitgowithoutprotest，Iwasglad，andafraid；too——afraidyouhadn”tobservedit。Didyou？Anddidyouquestiontheproprietyofit？Sincethebookisnowprofessedlyandconfessedlyaboy”sandgirl”shook，thatdarnwordbothersmesome，nights，butitneverdiduntilIhadceasedtoregardthevolumeasbeingforadults。
Don”tbothertoanswernow，(foryou”vewritingenoughtodowithoutallowingmetoaddtotheburden，)buttellmewhenyouseemeagain！
WhichwedohopewillbenextSaturdayorSundayorMonday。Couldn”tyoucomenowandmulloverthealterationswhichyouaregoingtomakeinyourMS，andmakethemafteryougoback？Wouldn”titassisttheworkifyoudroppedoutofharnessandroutineforadayortwoandhavethatsortofrevivificationwhichcomesofaholiday-forgetfulnessofthework-shop？IcanalwaysworkafterI”vebeentoyourhouse；andifyouwillcometomine，now，andheartheclubtoottheirvarioushornsovertheexasperatingmetaphysicalquestionwhichImeantolaybeforetheminthedisguiseofaliteraryextravaganza，itwouldjustbraceyouuplikeacordial。
(Ifeelsortofmeantryingtopersuadeamantoputdownacriticalpieceofworkatacriticaltime，butyetIamhonestinthinkingitwouldnothurttheworknorimpairyourinterestinittocomeunderthecircumstances。)Mrs。Clemenssays，“MaybetheHowellsescouldcomeMondayiftheycannotcomeSaturday；askthem；itisworthtrying。”Well，how”sthat？Couldyou？Itwouldbesplendidifyoucould。Dropmeapostalcard——IshouldhaveatwingeofconscienceifIforcedyoutowritealetter，(Iamhonestaboutthat，)——andifyoufindyoucan”tmakeouttocome，tellmethatyoubodieswillcomethenextSaturdayifthethingispossible，andstayoverSunday。
YrseverMARK。
Howells，however，didnotcometotheclubmeeting，butpromisedtocomesoonwhentheycouldhaveaquiettimetothemselvestogether。
AstoHuck”slanguage，hedeclared：
“I”dhavethatswearingoutinaninstant。IsupposeIdidn”tnoticeitbecausethelocutionwassofamiliartomyWesternsense，andsoexactlythethingthatHuckwouldsay。”Clemenschangedthephraseto，“Theycombmealltothunder，“andsoitstandsto-day。
The“CarnivalofCrime，“havingserveditspurposeattheclub，foundquickacceptancebyHowellsfortheAtlantic。Hewassopleasedwithit，infact，thatsomewhatlaterhewrote，urgingthatitsauthorallowittobeprintedinadaintybook，byOsgood，whomadeaspecialtyoffinepublishing。MeantimeHowellshadwrittenhisAtlanticnoticeofTomSawyer，andnowinclosedClemensaproofofit。Wemayjudgefromthereplythatitwassatisfactory。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
Apl3，”76。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Itisasplendidnoticeandwillemboldenweak-kneedjournalisticadmirerstospeakout，andwillmodifyorshutuptheunfriendly。To“fearGodanddreadtheSundayschool“exactlydescribedthatoldfeelingwhichIusedtohave，butIcouldn”thaveformulatedit。
Iwanttoencloseoneoftheillustrationsinthisletter，ifIdonotforgetit。Ofcoursethebookistobeelaboratelyillustrated，andI
thinkthatmanyofthepicturesareconsiderablyabovetheAmericanaverage，inconceptionifnotinexecution。
Idonotre-encloseyourreviewtoyou，foryouhaveevidentlyreadandcorrectedit，andsoIjudgeyoudonotneedit。AbouttwodaysaftertheAtlanticissuesImeantobegintosendbookstoprincipaljournalsandmagazines。
Ireadthe“CarnivalofCrime“proofinNewYorkwhenwornandwitlessandsoleftsomethingsunamendedwhichImightpossiblyhavealteredhadIbeenathome。Forinstance，“IshallalwaysaddressyouinyourownS-n-i-v-e-l-i-n-gd-r-a-w-l，baby。”Isawthatyouobjectedtosomethingthere，butIdidnotunderstandwhat！Wasitthatitwastoopersonal？
Shouldthelanguagebealtered？——orthehyphenstakenout？Won”tyoupleasefixitthewayitoughttobe，alteringthelanguageasyouchoose，onlymakingitbitterandcontemptuous？
“Deuced“wasnotstrongenough；soImetyouhalfwaywith“devilish。”
Mrs。ClemenshasreturnedfromNewYorkwithdreadfulsorethroat，andbonesrackedwithrheumatism。Shekeepsherbed。“Alohanui！“astheKanakassay。
MARK。
HenryIrvingoncesaidtoMarkTwain：“Youmadeamistakebynotadoptingthestageasaprofession。Youwouldhavemadeevenagreateractorthanawriter。”
MarkTwainwouldhavemadeanactor，certainly，butnotaverytractableone。HisappearanceinHartfordin“TheLoanofaLover“
wasadistinguishedevent，andhissuccesscomplete，thoughhemadesomanyextemporaneousimprovementsonthelinesofthick-headedPeterSpuyk，thathekepttheotheractorsguessingastotheircues，andnearlybrokeuptheperformance。Itwas，ofcourse，anamateurbenefit，thoughAugustinDalypromptlywrote，offeringtoputitonforalongrun。
The“skeletonnovelette“mentionedinthenextletterreferstoaplanconcoctedbyHowellsandClemens，bywhicheachoftwelveauthorswastowriteastory，usingthesameplot，“blindfolded“astowhattheothershadwritten。Itwasaregular“MarkTwain“
notion，anditishardto-daytoimagineHowells”scontinuedenthusiasminit。NeitherhenorClemensgaveuptheideaforalongtime。Itappearsintheirlettersagainandagain，thoughperhapsitwasjustaswellforliteraturethatitwasnevercarriedout。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
Apl。22，1876。
MYDEARHOWELLS，You”llseeperenclosedslipthatIappearforthefirsttimeonthestagenextWednesday。YouandMrs。H。comedownandyoushallskipinfree。
Iwrotemyskeletonnoveletteyesterdayandtoday。Itwillmakealittleunder12pages。
PleasetellAldrichI”vegotaphotographerengaged，andtri-weeklyissueisabouttobegin。Showhimthecanvassingspecimensandbeseechhimtosubscribe。
Everyours，S。L。C。
InhisnextletterMarkTwainexplainswhyTomSawyerisnottoappearassoonasplanned。Thereferenceto“TheLiteraryNightmare“referstothe“Punch，Conductor，PunchwithCare“sketch，whichhadrecentlyappearedintheAtlantic。Manyotherversifiershadhadtheirturnathorse-carpoetry，andnowapublisherwasanxioustocollectitinabook，providedhecouldusetheAtlanticsketch。ClemensdoesnottellusherethenatureofCarlton”sinsult，forgivenessofwhichhewasnotyetqualifiedtogrant，butthereareatleasttwostoriesaboutit，ortwohalvesofthesameincident，asrelatedafterwardbyClemensandCanton。ClemenssaidthatwhenhetooktheJumpingFrogbooktoCarlton，in1867，thelatter，pointingtohisstock，said，ratherscornfully：“Books？
Idon”twantyourbook；myshelvesarefullofbooksnow，“thoughthereadermayrememberthatitwasCarltonhimselfwhohadgiventhefrogstorytotheSaturdayPressandhadseenitbecomefamous。
Carlton”shalfofthestorywasthathedidnotacceptMarkTwain”sbookbecausetheauthorlookedsodisreputable。Longafterward，whenthetwomenmetinEurope，thepublishersaidtothenowrichandfamousauthor：“Mr。Clemens，myoneclaimonimmortalityisthatIdeclinedyourfirstbook。”
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，Apl。25，1876
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Thanksforgivingmetheplaceofhonor。
BlissmadeafailureinthematterofgettingTomSawyerreadyontime——
theengraversassisting，asusual。Iwentdowntoseehowmuchofadelaytherewasgoingtobe，andfoundthatthemanhadnotevenputacanvasseron，orissuedanadvertisementyet——infact，thattheelectrotypeswouldnotallbedoneforamonth！Butofcoursethemainfactwasthatnocanvassinghadbeendone——becauseasubscriptionharvestisbeforepublication，(notafter，whenpeoplehavediscoveredhowbadone”sbookis。)
Well，yesterdayIputintheCourantaneditorialparagraphstatingthatTamSawyeris“readytoissue，butpublicationisputoffinordertosecureEnglishcopyrightbysimultaneouspublicationthereandhere。TheEnglisheditionisunavoidablydelayed。”
Yousee，partofthatistrue。Verywell。WhenIobservedthatmy“Sketches“haddroppedfromasaleof6or7000amonthdownto1200amonth，Isaid“thisain”tnotimetobepublishingbooks；therefore，letTomliestilltillAutumn，Mr。Bliss，andmakeaholidaybookofhimtobeguiletheyoungpeoplewithal。”
Ishallprintitemsoccasionally，stillfurtherdelayingTom，tillIeasehimdowntoAutumnwithoutshocktothewaitingworld。
Astothat“LiteraryNightmare“proposition。I”mobligedtowithholdconsent，forwhatseemsagoodreason——towit：Asinglepageofhorse-carpoetryisallthattheaveragereadercanstand，withoutnausea；now，tostacktogetherallofitthathasbeenwritten，andthenaddittomyarticlewouldbetoenrageanddisgusteachandeveryreaderandwinthedeathlessenmityofthelot。
Evenifthatreasonwereinsufficient，therewouldstillbeasufficientreasonleft，inthefactthatMr。Carltonseemstobethepublisherofthemagazineinwhichitisproposedtopublishthishorse-carmatter。
CarltoninsultedmeinFeb。1867，andsowhenthedayarrivesthatseesmedoinghimacivilityIshallfeelthatIamreadyforParadise，sincemylistofpossibleandimpossibleforgivenesseswillthenbecomplete。
Mrs。Clemenssaysmyversionoftheblindfoldnovelette“AMurderandA
Marriage“is“good。”Prettystronglanguage——forher。
TheFieldsesarecomingdowntotheplaytomorrow，andtheypromisetogetyouandMrs。Howellstocometoo，butIhopeyou”lldonothingofthekindifitwillinconvenienceyou，forI”mnotgoingtoplayeitherstrikinglybadenoughorwellenoughtomakethejourneypayyou。
MywifeandIthinkofgoingtoBostonMay7thtoseeAnnaDickinson”sdebutonthe8th。IfIfindwecango，I”lltrytogetastageboxandthenyouandMrs。HowellsmustcometoParker”sandgowithustothecrucifixion。
(Isthatspeltright？——somehowitdoesn”tlookright。)
Withourverykindestregardstothewholefamily。
Yrsever，MARK。
ThementionofAnnaDickinson，attheendofthisletter，recallsaprominentreformerandlectureroftheCivilWarperiod。Shehadbegunhercrusadesagainsttemperanceandslaveryin1857，whenshewasbutfifteenyearsold，whenhersuccessasaspeakerhadbeenimmediateandextraordinary。Now，inthislaterperiod，attheageofthirty-four，sheaspiredtothestage——unfortunatelyforher，ashergiftslayelsewhere。ClemensandHowellsknewMissDickinson，andwereanxiousforthesuccesswhichtheyhardlydaredhopefor。
Clemensarrangedaboxparty。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
May4，”76。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——IshallreachBostononMondaythe8th，eitherat4：30p。m。or6p。m。(Whichisbest？)andgostraighttoParker”s。
IfyouandMrs。Howellscannotbetherebyhalfpast4，I”llnotplantoarrivetillthelatertrain-time(6，)becauseIdon”twanttobetherealone——evenaminute。Still，JoeTwichellwilldoubtlessgowithme(forgotthat，)heisgoingtotryhardto。Mrs。Clemenshasgivenupgoing，becauseSusyisjustrecoveringfromaboutthesavagestassaultofdiphtheriaachildeverdidrecoverfrom，andthereforewillnotbeentirelyherhealthyselfagainbythe8th。
WouldyouandMrs。HowellsliketoinviteMr。andMrs。Aldrich？Ihavealargeprosceniumbox——plentyofroom。Useyourownpleasureaboutit——Imainly(thatishonest，)suggestitbecauseIamseekingtomakematterspleasantforyouandMrs。Howells。IinvitedTwichellbecauseI
thoughtIknewyou”dlikethat。IwantyoutofixitsothatyouandtheMadamcanremaininBostonallnight；forIleavenextdayandwecan”thaveatalk，otherwise。Iamgoingtogettworoomsandaparlor；andwouldliketoknowwhatyoudecideabouttheAldriches，soastoknowwhethertoapplyforanadditionalbedroomornot。
Don”tdinethatevening，forIshallarrivedinnerlessandneedyourhelp。
I”llbringmyBlindfoldNovelette，butshan”texhibititunlessyouexhibityours。Youwouldsimplygotoworkandwriteanovelettethatwouldmakeminesick。Becauseyouwouldknowallaboutwheremyweakpointslay。No，Sir，I”moneoftheseoldwarybirds！
Don”tbothertowritealetter——3linesonapostalcardisallthatI
canpermitfromabusyman。
YrseverMARK。
P。S。Good！You”llnothavetofeelanycalltomentionthatdebutintheAtlantic——they”vemademepaythegrandcashformybox！——athingwhichmostmanagerswouldbetooworldly-wisetodo，withjournalisticfolks。ButI”mmosthonestlyglad，forI”dratherpaythreeprices，anytime，thantohavemytonguehalfparalyw4withadead-headticket。
HangthatAnnaDickinson，abodycanneverdependuponherdebuts！Shehasmadefiveorsixfalsestartsalready。Ifshefailstodebutthistime，Iwillneverbetonheragain。
Inhisbook，MyMarkTwain，Howellsreferstothe“tragedy“ofMissDickinson”sappearance。Shewastheauthorofnumerousplays，someofwhichweresuccessful，buthercareerasanactresswasneverbrilliant。
AtElmirathatsummertheClemensesheardfromtheirgoodfriendDoctorBrown，ofEdinburgh，andsenteagerreplies。
ToDr。JohnBrown，inEdinburgh：
ELMIRA，NEWYORK，U。S。June22，1876。
DEARFRIENDTHEDOCTOR，——Itwasaperfectdelighttoseethewell-knownhandwritingagain！Butwesogrievetoknowthatyouarefeelingmiserable。Itmustnotlast——itcannotlast。Theregalsummeriscomeanditwillsmileyouintohighgoodcheer；itwillcharmawayyourpains，itwillbanishyourdistresses。Iwishyouwerehere，tospendthesummerwithus。Weareperchedonahill-topthatoverlooksalittleworldofgreenvalleys，shiningrivers，sumptuousforestsandbillowyuplandsveiledinthehazeofdistance。Wehavenoneighbors。Itisthequietestofallquietplaces，andwearehermitsthateschewcavesandliveinthesun。Doctor，ifyou”donlycome！
IwillcarryyourlettertoMrs。C。now，andtherewillbeagladwoman，Itellyou！AndsheshallfindoneofthosepicturestoputinthisforMrs。Barclaysandifthereisn”toneherewe”llsendrightawaytoHartfordandgetone。Comeover，DoctorJohn，andbringtheBarclays，theNicolsonsandtheBrowns，oneandall！
Affectionately，SAML。L。CLEMENS。
FromMayuntilAugustnolettersappeartohavepassedbetweenClemensandHowells；thelatterfinallywrote，complainingofthelackofnews。Hewasinthemidstofcampaignactivities，hesaid，writingalifeofHayes，andgailyadded：“YouknowIwrotethelifeofLincoln，whichelectedhim。”Hefurtherreportedacomedyhehadcompleted，andgaveClemensageneralstirringupastohisownwork。
MarkTwain，inhishillsidestudy，wasbusyenough。Summerwashistimeforwork，andhehadtriedhishandinvariousdirections。HismentionofHuckFinninhisreplytoHowellsisinteresting，inthatitshowsthemeasureofhisenthusiasm，orlackofit，asagaugeofhisultimateachievementToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
ELMIRA，Aug。9，1876。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Iwasjustabouttowriteyouwhenyourlettercame——
andnotoneofthoseobscenepostalcards，either，butreverently，uponpaper。
Ishallreadthatbiography，thoughtheletterofacceptancewasamplysufficienttocorralmyvotewithoutanyfurtherknowledgeoftheman。
WhichremindsmethatacampaignclubinJerseyCitywroteafewdaysagoandinvitedmetobepresentattheraisingofaTildenandHendricksflagthere，andtotakethestandandgivethemsome“counsel。”Well，I
couldnotgo，butgavethemcounselandadvicebyletter，andinthekindliesttermsastotheraisingoftheflag——advisedthem“nottoraiseit。”
Getyourbookoutquick，forthisisamomentoustime。IfTildeniselectedIthinktheentirecountrywillgoprettystraightto——Mrs。
Howells”sbadplace。
Iaminfringingonyourpatent——Istartedarecordofourchildren”ssayings，lastnight。WhichremindsmethatlastweekIsentdownandgotSusieavastpairofshoesofamostvillainouspattern，forIdiscoveredthatherfeetwerebeingtwistedandcrampedoutofshapebyasmallerandprettierarticle。Shedidnotcomplain，butlookeddegradedandinjured。Atnighthermammagavehertheusualadmonitionwhenshewasabouttosayherprayers——towit：
“Now，Susie——thinkaboutGod。”
“Mamma，Ican”t，withthoseshoes。”
Thefarmisperfectlydelightfulthisseason。ItisasquietandpeacefulasaSouthSeaIsland。Someofthesunsetswhichwehavewitnessedfromthiscommandingeminenceweremarvelous。Oneeveningarainbowspannedanentirerangeofhillswithitsmightyarch，andfromablackhubrestinguponthehill-topintheexactcentre，blackraysdivergedupwardinperfectregularitytotherainbow”sarchandcreatedaverystronglydefinedandaltogetherthemostmajestic，magnificentandstartlinghalf-sunkwagonwheelyoucanimagine。Afterthat，aworldoftumblingandprodigiouscloudscamedriftingupoutoftheWestandtooktothemselvesawonderfullyrichandbrilliantgreencolor——thedecidedgreenofnewspringfoliage。Closebythemwesawtheintenseblueoftheskies，throughrentsinthecloud-rack，andawayoffinanotherquarterweredriftingcloudsofadelicatepinkcolor。Inoneplacehungapallofdenseblackclouds，likecompactedpitch-smoke。Andthestupendouswagonwheelwasstillinthesupremacyofitsunspeakablegrandeur。Soyousee，thecolorspresentintheskyatonceandthesametimewereblue，green，pink，black，andthevari-coloredsplendorsoftherainbow。Allstronganddecidedcolors，too。Idon”tknowwhetherthisweirdandastoundingspectaclemostsuggestedheaven，orhell。Thewonder，withitsconstant，stately，andalwayssurprisingchanges，lastedupwardsoftwohours，andweallstoodonthetopofthehillbymystudytillthefinalmiraclewascompleteandthegreatestdayendedthatweeversaw。
Ourfarmer，whoisagraveman，watchedthatspectacletotheend，andthenobservedthatitwas“damfunny。”
Thedouble-barrelednovelliestorpid。IfoundIcouldnotgoonwithit。ThechaptersIhadwrittenwerestilltoonewandfamiliartome。
Imaytakeitupnextwinter，butcannottellyet；Iwaitedandwaitedtoseeifmyinterestinitwouldnotrevive，butgaveitupamonthagoandbegananotherboys”book——moretobeatworkthananythingelse。Ihavewritten400pagesonit——thereforeitisverynearlyhalfdone。ItisHuckFinn”sAutobiography。Ilikeitonlytolerablywell，asfarasI
havegot，andmaypossiblypigeonholeorburntheMSwhenitisdone。
Sothecomedyisdone，andwitha“fairdegreeofsatisfaction。”Thatrejoicesme，andmakesmemad，too——forIcan”tplanacomedy，andwhathaveyoudonethatGodshouldbesogoodtoyou？Ihaverackedmyselfbaldheadedtryingtoplanacomedyharnessforsomepromisingcharactersofminetoworkin，andhadtogiveitup。Itisanoblelotofbloodedstockandworthnoendofmoney，buttheymuststandinthestableandbeprofitless。Iwanttobepresentwhenthecomedyisproducedandhelpenjoythesuccess。
Warner”sbookismightyreadable，Ithink。
Lovetoyez。
YrseverMARK
Howellspromptlywroteagain，urginghimtoenterthecampaignforHayes。“Thereisnotanothermaninthiscountry，“hesaid，“whocouldhelphimsomuchasyou。”The“farce“whichClemensreferstoinhisreply，was“TheParlorCar，“whichseemstohavebeenaboutthefirstventureofHowellsinthatfield。
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
ELMIRA，August23，1876。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——IamgladyouthinkIcoulddoHayesanygood，forI
havebeenwantingtowritealetterormakeaspeechtothatend。I”llbecarefulnottodoeither，however，untiltheopportunitycomesinanatural，justifiableandunluggedway；andshallnotthendoanythingunlessI”vegotitalldigestedandwordedjustright。InwhichcaseI
mightdosomegood——inanyotherIshoulddoharm。Whenahumoristventuresuponthegraveconcernsoflifehemustdohisjobbetterthananothermanorheworksharmtohiscause。
Thefarceiswonderfullybrightanddelicious，andmustmakeahit。Youreadittome，anditwasmightygood；Ireaditlastnightanditwasbetter；Ireaditaloudtothehouseholdthismorninganditwasbetterthanever。Soitwouldbeworthgoingalongwaytoseeitwellplayed；
forwithoutanyquestionanactorofgeniusalwaysaddsasubtlesomethingtoanyman”sworkthatnonebutthewriterknewwastherebefore。Evenifheknewit。Ihaveheardofreadersconvulsingaudienceswithmy“Aurelia”sUnfortunateYoungMan。”Ifthereisanythingreallyfunnyinthepiece，theauthorisnotawareofit。
Allright——advertisemeforthenewvolume。Isendyouherewithasketchwhichwillmake3pagesoftheAtlantic。Ifyoulikeitandacceptit，youshouldgetitintotheDecemberNo。becauseIshallreaditinpublicinBostonthe13thand14thofNov。Ifitwentinamonthearlieritwouldbetoooldformetoreadexceptasoldmatter；andifitwentinamonthlateritwouldbetoooldfortheAtlantic——doyousee？Andifyouwishtouseit，willyousetitupnow，andsendmethreeproofs？——onetocorrectforAtlantic，onetosendtoTempleBar(shallItellthemtouseitnotearlierthantheirNovemberNo。？)andonetouseinpractisingformyBostonreadings。
Wemustgetupalesselaborateandamuchbetterskeleton-planfortheBlindfoldNovelsandmakeasuccessofthatidea。DavidGrayspentSundayhereandsaidwecouldbutlittlecomprehendwhatarattlingstirthatthingwouldmakeinthecountry。Hethoughtitwouldmakeamightystrike。SodoI。Butwithonly8pagestotellthetalein，theplotmustbelesselaborate，doubtless。Whatdoyouthink？
WhenweexchangevisitsI”llshowyouanunfinishedsketchofElizabeth”stimewhichshookDavidGray”ssystemupprettyexhaustively。
Yrsever，MARK。
TheMS。sketchmentionedintheforegoingletterwas“TheCanvasser”sTale，“laterincludedinthevolume，TomSawyerAbroad，andOtherStories。ItisfarfrombeingMarkTwain”sbestwork，butwasacceptedandprintedintheAtlantic。DavidGraywasanablejournalistandeditorwhomMarkTwainhadknowninBuffalo。
The“sketchofElizabeth”stime“isabrilliantpieceofwriting——animaginaryrecordofconversationandcourtmannersinthegoodolddaysoffreespeechandperformance，phrasedinthelanguageoftheperiod。Gray，JohnHay，Twichell，andotherswhohadachancetoseeitthoughthighlyofit，andHayhaditsetintypeandafewproofstakenforprivatecirculation。SomeyearsafterwardaWestPointofficerhadaspecialfontofantiquetypemadeforit，andprintedahundredcopies。Butthepresent-dayreaderwouldhardlybewillingtoinclude“FiresideConversationintheTimeofQueenElizabeth“inMarkTwain”scollectedworks。
ClemenswasastrongRepublicaninthosedays，ashislettersofthisperiodshow。Hismentionofthe“caves“inthenextisanotherreferenceto“TheCanvasser”sTale。”
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
Sept。14，1876。
MYDEARHOWELLS，——Yes，thecollectionofcaveswastheoriginofit。
Ichangedittoechoesbecausethesebeinginvisibleandintangible，constitutedastillmoreabsurdspeciesofproperty，andyetamancouldreallyownanecho，andsellit，too，forahighfigure——suchanechoasthatattheVillaSiminetti，twomilesfromMilan，forinstance。
Myfirstpurposewastohavethemanmakeacollectionofcavesandafterwardsofechoes；butperceivedthattheelementofabsurdityandimpracticabilitywassonearlyidenticalastoamounttoarepetitionofanidea……
Iwillnot，anddonot，believethatthereisapossibilityofHayes”sdefeat，butIwantthevictorytobesweeping……
Itseemsoddtofindmyselfinterestedinanelection。Ineverwasbefore。AndIcan”tseemtogetovermyrepugnancetoreadingorthinkingaboutpolitics，yet。ButintruthIcarelittleaboutanyparty”spolitics——themanbehinditistheimportantthing。
YoumaywellknowthatMrs。ClemenslikedtheParlorCar——enjoyediteversomuch，andwasindignantatyouallthrough，andkeptexplodingintoragesatyouforpretendingthatsuchawomaneverexisted——closingeachandeveryexplosionwith“Butitisjustwhatsuchawomanwoulddo。”——
“Itisjustwhatsuchawomanwouldsay。”TheyallvotedtheParlorCarperfection——exceptme。Isaidtheywouldn”thavebeenallowedtocourtandquarreltheresolong，uninterrupted；butateachcriticalmomenttheodioustrain-boywouldcomeinandpilefoulliteraturealloverthemfourorfiveinchesdeep，andtheloverwouldturnhisheadasideandcurse——andpresentlythattrain-boywouldbebackagain(asonallthoseWesternroads)totakeuptheliteratureandleaveprizecandy。
Ofcoursethethingisperfect，inthemagazine，withoutthetrain-boy；
butIwasthinkingofthestageandthegroundlings。Ifthedaintytoucheswentovertheirheads，thetrain-boyandotherpossibleinterruptionswouldfetchthemeverytime。Woulditmartheflowofthethingtoomuchtoinsertthatdevil？Ithoughtitoveracoupleofhoursandconcludeditwouldn”t，andthatheoughttobeinforthesakeofthegroundlings(andtogetnewcopyrightonthepiece。)
Anditseemedtomethatnowthatthefourthactissosuccessfullywritten，whynotgoaheadandwritethe3precedingacts？Andthenafteritisfinished，letmeputintoitalow-comedycharacter(thegirl”sorthelover”sfatheroruncle)andgobbleabigpecuniaryinterestinyourworkformyself。Donotletthisgenerouspropositiondisturbyourrest——butdowritetheother3acts，andthenitwillbevaluabletomanagers。Anddon”tgoandsellittoanybody，likeHarte，butkeepitforyourself。
Harte”splaycanbedoctoredtillitwillbeentirelyacceptableandthenitwillclearagreatsumeveryyear。IamoutofallpatiencewithHarteforsellingit。Theplayentertainedmehugely，eveninitspresentcrudestate。
Lovetoyouall。
Yrsever，MARK
FollowingtheSellerssuccess，Clemenshadmademanyattemptsatdramaticwriting。Suchundertakingshaduniformlyfailed，buthehadalwaysbeenwillingtotryagain。Inthenextletterwegetthebeginningofwhatprovedhisfirstandlastdirectliteraryassociation，thatistosay，collaboration，withBretHarte。
ClemenshadgreatadmirationforHarte”sabilityandbelievedthatbetweenthemtheycouldturnoutasuccessfulplay。Whetherornotthisbeliefwasjustifiedwillappearlater。Howells”sbiographyofHayes，meanwhile，hadnotgonewell。Hereportedthatonlytwothousandcopieshadbeensoldinwhatwasnowtheheightofthecampaign。“There”ssuccessforyou，“hesaid；“itmakesmedespairoftheRepublic。”
Clemens，onhispart，hadmadeaspeechforHayesthatHowellsdeclaredhadputcivil-servicereforminanutshell；headded：“YouaretheonlyRepublicanorator，quotedwithoutdistinctionofpartybyallthenewspapers。”
ToW。D。Howells，inBoston：
HARTFORD，Oct。11，1876。
MYDEARHOWELLS，Thisisasecret，tobeknowntonobodybutyou(ofcourseIcomprehendthatMrs。Howellsispartofyou)thatBretHartecameupheretheotherdayandaskedmetohelphimwriteaplayanddividetheswag，andIagreed。IamtoputinScottyBriggs(SeeBuckFanshaw”sFuneral，in“RoughingIt。”)andheistoputinaChinaman(a，wonderfullyfunnycreature，asBretpresentshim——for5minutes——inhisSandyBarplay。)ThisChinamanistobethecharacteroftheplay，andbothofuswillworkonhimanddevelophim。Bretistodrawaplot，andIamtodothesame；weshallusethebestofthetwo，orgougefrombothandbuildathird。Myplotisbuilt——finishedityesterday——sixdays”
work，8or9hoursaday，andhasnearlykilledme。
NowthefavorIaskofyouisthatyouwillhavethewords“AhSin，aDrama，“printedinthemiddleofanote-paperpageandsendthesametome，withBill。Wedon”twantanybodytoknowthatwearebuildingthisplay。Ican”tgetthistitlepageprintedherewithouthavingtoliesomuchthatthethoughtofitisdisagreeabletoonerearedasIhavebeen。
Andyetthetitleoftheplaymustbeprinted——therestoftheapplicationforcopyrightisallowableinpenmanship。
WehavegottheverybestgangofservantsinAmerica，now。WhenGeorgefirstcamehewasoneofthemostreligiousofmen。Hehadbutonefault——youngGeorgeWashington”s。ButIhavetrainedhim；andnowitfairlybreaksMrs。Clemens”shearttohearGeorgestandatthatfrontdoorandlietotheunwelcomevisitor。Butyourtimeisvaluable；Imustnotdwelluponthesethings……I”llaskWarnerandHarteifthey”lldoBlindfoldNovelettes。SometimeI”llsimplifythatplot。Allitneedsisthatthehangingandthemarriageshallnotbeappointedforthesameday。Igotoverthatdifficulty，butitrequiredtoomuchMStoreconcilethething——sothemovementofthestorywasclogged。
IcamenearagreeingtomakepoliticalspeecheswithourcandidateforGovernorthe16thand23inst。，butIhadtogiveuptheidea，forHarteandIwillbehereatworkthen。
Yrsever，MARK
MarkTwainwaswritingfewlettersthesedaystoanyonebutHowells，yetinNovemberhesentonetoanoldfriendofhisyouth，Burrough，theliterarychair-makerwhohadroomedwithhiminthedayswhenhehadbeensettingtypefortheSt。LouisEveningNews。
ToMr。Burrough，ofSt。Louis：
HARTFORD，Nov。1，1876。