第16章
First，HowellsandIhadachattogether。IaskedaboutMrs。H。Hesaidshewasfine，stillsteadilyimproving，andnearlybacktoheroldbesthealth。Iasked(asifIdidn”tknow)：
“Whatdoyouattributethisstrangemiracleto？“
“Mind-cure——simplymind-cure。”
“Lord，whataconversion！Youwereascofferthreemonthsago。”
“I？Iwasn”t。”
“Youwere。Youmadeelaboratefunofmeinthisveryroom。”
“Ididnot，Clemens。”
“It”salie，Howells，youdid。”
Idetailedtohimtheconversationofthattime——withthestatelyargumentfurnishedbyBoyeseninthefactthatapatienthadactuallybeenkilledbyamind-curist；andHowells”sownsmartremarkthatwhenthemind-curistisdonewithyou，youhavetocallina“regular“atlastbecausetheformercan”tprocureyouaburialpermit。
Atlasthegavein——hesaidherememberedthattalk，buthadnowbeenamind-curistsolongitwasdifficultforhimtorealizethathehadeverbeenanythingelse。
Mrs。H。cameskippingin，presently，theveryperson，toadot，thatsheusedtobe，somanyyearsago。
Mrs。H。said：“Peoplemaycallitwhattheylike，butitisjusthypnotism，andthat”sallitis——hypnotismpureandsimple。Mind-cure！——
theidea！Why，thiswomanthatcuredmehasn”tgotanymind。She”sagoodcreature，butshe”sdullanddumbandilliterateand”
“NowEleanor！“
“IknowwhatI”mtalkingabout！——don”tIgotheretwiceaweek？AndMr。
Clemens，ifyoucouldonlyseeherwoodenandsatisfiedfacewhenshesnubsmeforforgettingmyselfandshowingbyathoughtlessremarkthattomeweatherisstillweather，insteadofbeingjustanabstractionandasuperstition——oh，it”sthefunniestthingyoueversaw！A-n-d-whenshetiltsuphernose-well，it”s——it”s——Wellit”sthatkindofanosethat”
“NowEleanor！——thewomanisnotresponsibleforhernose”andso-onandso-on。Itdidn”tseemtomethatIhadanyrighttobehavingthisfeastandyounotthere。
Sheconvincedmebeforeshegotthrough，thatsheandWilliamJamesareright——hypnotismandmind-curearethesamething；nodifferencebetweenthem。Verywell；theverysource，theverycenterofhypnotismisParis。
Dr。Charcot”spupilsanddisciplesarerightthereandreadytoyourhandwithoutfetchingpoordearoldSusyacrossthestormysea。LetMrs。
Mackay(towhomIsendmybestrespects，tellyouwhomtogototolearnallyouneedtolearnandhowtoproceed。Do，doit，honey。Don”tloseaminute……At11o”clocklastnightMr。Rogerssaid：
“Iamabletofeelphysicalfatigue——andIfeelitnow。Younevershowany，eitherinyoureyesoryourmovements；doyoueverfeelany？“
IwasabletosaythatIhadforgottenwhatthatfeelingwaslike。Don”tyourememberhowalmostimpossibleitwasformetotiremyselfattheVilla？Well，itisjustsoinNewYork。Igotobedunfatiguedat3，Igetupfreshandfinesixhourslater。IbelieveIhavetakenonlyonedaylightnapsinceIhavebeenhere。
Whentheanchorisdown，thenIshallsay：
“Farewell——alongfarewell——tobusiness！Iwillnevertouchitagain！“
Iwillliveinliterature，Iwillwallowinit，revelinit，Iwillswiminink！JoanofArc——butallthisispremature；theanchorisnotdownyet。
To-morrow(Tuesday)IwilladdaP。S。ifI”veanytoadd；but，whetherorno，Imustmailthistomorrow，forthemailsteamergoesnextday。
5。30p。m。GreatScott，thisisTuesday！Imustrushthisletterintothemailinstantly。
TellthatsassyBenI”vegotherwelcomeletter，andI”llwriteherassoonasIgetadaylightchance。I”vemosttimeatnight，butI”ddrutherwritedaytimes。
SAML。
TheReidandSimmonsmentionedintheforegoingwereRobertReidandEdwardSimmons，distinguishedpainter——thelatterabrilliant，fluent，andindustrioustalker。Thetitle；“Fire-escapeSimmons，“
whichClemensgiveshim，originatedwhenOliverHerford，whosequaintwithassolongdelightedNew-Yorkers，onedaypinnedupbythebackdoorofthePlayersthenotice：“ExitincaseofSimmons。”
Gwen，apopularnovelofthatday，waswrittenbyBlancheWillisHoward。
“Jamie“Dodge，inthenextletter，wasthesonofMrs。MaryMapesDodge，editorofSt。Nicholas。
ToClaraClemens，inParis：
MR。ROGERS”SOFFICE，Feb。5，”94。
DearBenny——Iwasintendingtoansweryourletterto-day，butIamawaydowntown，andwillsimplywhirltogetherasentenceortwoforgood-
fellowship。IhaveboughtphotographsofCoquelinandJaneHadingandwillaskthemtosignthem。IshallmeetCoquelintomorrownight，andifHadingisnotpresentIwillsendherpicturetoherbysomebody。
IamtobreakfastwithMadameNordicainafewdays，andmeantimeIhopetogetagoodpictureofhertosign。Shewasofthebreakfastcompanyyesterday，butthepictureofherselfwhichshesignedandgavemedoesnotdohermajesticbeautyjustice。
Iamtoobusytoattendtothephoto-collectingright，becauseIhavetoliveuptothenamewhichJamieDodgehasgivenme——the“BelleofNewYork“——anditjustkeepsmerushing。YesterdayIhadengagementstobreakfastatnoon，dineat3，anddineagainat7。Igotawayfromthelongbreakfastat2p。m。，wentandexcusedmyselffromthe3o”clockdinner，thenlunchedwithMrs。Dodgein58thstreet，returnedtothePlayersanddressed，dinedoutat9，andwasbackatMrs。Dodge”sat10p。m。wherewehadmagic-lanternviewsofasuperbsort，andalotofyarnsuntilanhouraftermidnight，andgottobedat2thismorning——agooddealofagainonmyrecenthours。ButIdon”tgettired；I
sleepassoundasadeadperson，andalwayswakeupfreshandstrong——
usuallyatexactly9。
Iwasatbreakfastlatelywherepeopleofsevenseparatenationalitiessatandthesevenlanguagesweregoingallthetime。Atmysidesatacharminggentlemanwhowasadelightfulandactivetalker，andinteresting。Hetalkedgliblytothosefolksinallthosesevenlanguagesandstillhadalanguagetospare！Iwantedtokillhim，forveryenvy。
Igreetyouwithloveandkisses。
PAPA。
ToMrs。Clemens，inParis：
Feb。
Livydear，lastnightIplayedbilliardswithMr。Rogersuntil11，thenwenttoRobertReid”sstudioandhadamostdelightfultimeuntil4thismorning。Noladieswereinvitedthistime。Amongthepeoplepresentwere——
Coquelin；
RichardHardingDavis；
Harrison，thegreatout-doorpainter；
Wm。H。Chase，theartist；
Bettini，inventorofthenewphonograph。
NikolaTesla，theworld-wideillustriouselectrician；seearticleabouthiminJan。orFeb。Century。
JohnDrew，actor；
JamesBarnes，amarvelousmimic；my，youshouldseehim！
Smedleytheartist；
Zorntheartist；
Zogbaumtheartist；
Reinharttheartist；
Metcalftheartist；
Ancona，headtenorattheOpera；
Oh，agreatlotofothers。Everybodytherehaddonesomethingandwasinhiswayfamous。
SomebodywelcomedCoquelininanicelittleFrenchspeech；JohnDrewdidthelikeformeinEnglish，andthenthefunbegan。CoquelindidsomeexcellentFrenchmonologues——oneofthemanungrammaticalEnglishmantellingacolorlesshistorietteinFrench。Itnearlykilledthefifteenortwentypeoplewhounderstoodit。
Itoldayarn，Anconasanghalfadozensongs，Barnesdidhisdarlingimitations，HardingDavissangthehangingofDannyDeever，whichwasofcoursegood，buthefolloweditwiththatmostfascinating(forwhatreasonIdon”tknow)ofallKipling”spoems，“OntheRoadtoMandalay，“
sangittenderly，anditsearchedmedeeperandcharmedmemorethantheDeever。
YoungGerritSmithplayedsomeravishingdancemusicandwealldancedaboutanhour。Therecouldn”tbeapleasanternightthanthatonewas。
SomeofthosepeoplecomplainedoffatiguebutIdon”tseemtoknowwhatthesenseoffatigueis。
CoquelintalksquitegoodEnglishnow。Hesaid：
“Ihaveabrotherwhohasthefinemind——ah，acharminganddelicatefancy，andheknowsyourwritingssowell，andlovesthem——andthatisthesamewithme。ItwillstirhimsowhenIwriteandtellhimIhaveseenyou！“
Wasn”tthatnice？Wetalkedagooddealtogether。Heisaswinningashisownface。Buthewouldn”tsignthatphotographforClara。“That？
No！Sheshallhaveabetterone。Iwillsendittoyou。”
Heismuchdriven，andwillforgetit，butReidhaspromisedtogetthepictureforme，andIwilltryandkeephimreminded。
Oh，dear，mytimeisallusedupandyourlettersarenotanswered。
Mama，dear，Idon”tgoeverywhere——Ideclinemostthings。ButthereareplentythatIcan”twellgetoutof。
Iwillrememberwhatyousayandnotmakemyyarningtoocommon。
IamsogladSusyhasgoneonthattripandthatyouaretryingtheelectric。Mayyoubothprosper。Foryouaremightydeartomeandinmythoughtsalways。
SAML。
TheaffairsoftheWebsterPublishingCompanywerebythistimegettingintoaveryseriousconditionindeed。Theeffectsofthepanicoftheyearbeforecouldnotbeovercome。Creditorswerepressingtheirclaimsandprofitswerenegligible。InthefollowingletterwegetaMarkTwainestimateofthegreatfinancierwhosocheerfullywaswillingtoundertakethesolvingofMarkTwain”sfinancialproblems。
ToMrs。Clemens，inParis：
THEPLAYERS，Feb。15，”94。11。30p。m。
Livydarling，YesterdayItalkedallmyvariousmattersoverwithMr。
Rogersandwedecidedthatitwouldbesafeformetoleaveherethe7thofMarch，intheNewYork。Sohisprivatesecretary，MissHarrison，wroteandorderedaberthformeandthenIlostnotimeincablingyouthatIshouldreachSouthamptonMarch14，andParisthe15th。Land，butitmademypulsesleap，tothinkIwasgoingtoseeyouagain！……
Onethingatatime。IneverfullylaidWebster”sdisastrousconditionbeforeMr。Rogersuntilto-nightafterbilliards。Ididhatetoburdenhisgoodheartandover-workedheadwithit，buthetookholdwithavidityandsaiditwasnoburdentoworkforhisfriends，butapleasure。Wediscusseditfromvariousstandpoints，andfounditasufficientlydifficultproblemtosolve；buthethinksthatafterhehassleptuponitandthoughtitoverhewillknowwhattosuggest。
YoumustnotthinkIameverrudewithMr。Rogers，Iamnot。Heisnotcommonclay，butfine——fineanddelicate——andthatsortdonotcalloutthecoarsenessesthatareinmysort。Iamneverafraidofwoundinghim；
Idonotneedtowatchmyselfinthatmatter。Thesightofhimispeace。
HewantstogotoJapan——itishisdream；wantstogowithme——whichmeans，thetwofamilies——andhearnomoreaboutbusinessforawhile，andhavearest。Andheneedsit。Butitislikeallthedreamsofallbusymen——fatedtoremaindreams。
Youperceivethatheisapleasanttextforme。Itiseasytowriteabouthim。WhenIarrivedinSeptember，lordhowblacktheprospectwas——howdesperate，howincurablydesperate！WebsterandCohadtohaveasmallsumofmoneyorgounderatonce。IflewtoHartford——tomyfriends——buttheywerenotmoved，notstronglyinterested，andIwasashamedthatIwent。ItwasfromMr。Rogers，astranger，thatIgotthemoneyandwasbyitsaved。Andthen——whilestillastranger——hesethimselfthetaskofsavingmyfinanciallifewithoutputtinguponme(inhisnativedelicacy)anysensethatIwastherecipientofacharity，abenevolence——andhehasaccomplishedthattask；accomplisheditatacostofthreemonthsofwearinganddifficultlabor。Hegavethattimetome——timewhichcouldnotbeboughtbyanymanatahundredthousanddollarsamonth——no，norforthreetimesthemoney。
Well，inthemidstofthatgreatfight，thatlongandadmirablefight，GeorgeWarnercametomeandsaid：
“Thereisasplendidchanceopentoyou。Iknowaman——aprominentman——
whohaswrittenabookthatwillgolikewildfire；abookthatarraignstheStandardOilfiends，andgivesthemunmitigatedhell，individualbyindividual。Itistheverybookforyoutopublish；thereisafortuneinit，andIcanputyouincommunicationwiththeauthor。”
Iwantedtosay：
“TheonlymanIcareforintheworld；theonlymanIwouldgiveadamnfor；theonlymanwhoislavishinghissweatandbloodtosavemeandminefromstarvationandshame，isaStandardOilfiend。Ifyouknowme，youknowwhetherIwantthebookornot。”
ButIdidn”tsaythat。IsaidIdidn”twantanybook；Iwantedtogetoutofthepublishingbusinessandoutofallbusiness，andwashereforthatpurposeandwouldaccomplishitifIcould。
Butthere”senough。Ishallbeasleepby3，andIdon”tneedmuchsleep，becauseIamneverdrowsyortiredthesedays。Dear，dearSusymystrengthreproachesmewhenIthinkofherandyou，mydarling。
SAML。
ButevensoableamanasHenryRogerscouldnotaccomplishtheimpossible。TheaffairsoftheWebsterCompanywerehopeless，thebusinesswasnotworthsaving。ByMr。Rogers”sadviceanassignmentwasmadeApril，18，1894。Afteritsearlyspectacularsuccesslessthantenyearshadbroughtthebusinesstofailure。ThepublicationoftheGrantmemoirshadbeenitsonlygreatachievement。
Clemenswouldseemtohavebelievedthatthebusinesswouldresume，andforatimeRogersappearstohavecomfortedhiminhishope，butwecannotbelievethatitlongsurvived。YoungHall，whohadmadesuchastruggleforitssalvation，waseagertogoon，buthemustpresentlyhaveseenthefutilityofanyeffortinthatdirection。
OfcoursethefailureofMarkTwain”sfirmmadeagreatstirinthecountry，anditiseasytounderstandthatloyalfriendswouldrallyinhisbehalf。
ToMrs。Clemens，inParis：
April22，”94。
Dearolddarling，weallthinkthecreditorsaregoingtoallowustoresumebusiness；andiftheydoweshallpullthroughandpaythedebts。
Iamprodigiouslygladwemadeanassignment。Andalsogladthatwedidnotmakeitsooner。Earlierweshouldhavemadeapoorshowing；butnowweshallmakeagoodone。
Imeetflocksofpeople，andtheyallshakemecordiallybythehandandsay“Iwassosorrytohearoftheassignment，butsogladyoudidit。
Itwasaround，thislongtime，thattheconcernwastottering，andallyourfriendswereafraidyouwoulddelaytheassignmenttoolong。”
JohnMackaycalledyesterday，andsaid，“Don”tletitdisturbyou，Sam——
weallhavetodoit，atonetimeoranother；it”snothingtobeashamedof。”
OnestrangeroutinNewYorkStatesentmeadollarbillandthoughthewouldliketogetupadollar-subscriptionforme。AndPoultneyBigelow”snotecamepromptly，withhischeckfor$1，000。IhadbeenmeetinghimeverydayattheClubandlikinghimbetterandbetterallthetime。Icouldn”ttakehismoney，ofcourse，butIthankedhimcordiallyforhisgoodwill。
NowandthenagoodanddearJoeTwichellorSusyWarnercondoleswithmeandsays“Cheerup——don”tbedownhearted，“andsomeotherfriendsays，“Iamgladandsurprisedtoseehowcheerfulyouareandhowbravelyyoustandit“——andnoneofthemsuspectwhataburdenhasbeenliftedfrommeandhowblitheIaminside。ExceptwhenIthinkofyou，dearheart——thenIamnotblithe；forIseemtoseeyougrievingandashamed，anddreadingtolookpeopleintheface。Forinthethickofthefightthereischeer，butyouarefarawayandcannothearthedrumsnorseethewheelingsquadrons。Youonlyseemtoseerout，retreat，anddishonoredcolorsdragginginthedirt——whereasnoneofthesethingsexist。Thereistemporarydefeat，butnodishonor——andwewillmarchagain。CharleyWarnersaidto-day，“Sho，Livyisn”tworrying。Solongasshe”sgotyouandthechildrenshedoesn”tcarewhathappens。Sheknowsitisn”theraffair。”Whichdidn”tconvinceme。
Goodbyemydarling，Iloveyouandallofthekids——andyoucantellClaraIamnotaspittinggraykitten。
SAML。
ClemenssailedforEuropeassoonashisaffairswouldpermithimtogo。Hemustgetsettledwherehecouldworkcomfortably。Type-
setterprospectsseemedpromising，butmeantimetherewasneedoffunds。
Hebeganwritingontheship，aswashishabit，andhadcompletedhisarticleonFenimoreCooperbythetimehereachedLondon。InAugustwefindhimwritingtoMr。RogersfromEtretat，alittleNormanwatering-place。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYork：
ETRETAT，(NORMANDIE)
CHALETDESABRIS)
Aug。25，”94。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——IfindtheMadameversomuchbetterinhealthandstrength。Theairissuperbandsoothingandwholesome，andtheChaletisremotefromnoiseandpeople，andjusttheplacetowritein。Ishallbeginworkthisafternoon。
Mrs。Clemensisingreatspiritson，accountofthebenefitwhichshehasreceivedfromtheelectricaltreatmentinParisandisboundtotakeitupagainandcontinueitallthewinter，andofcourseIamperfectlywilling。SherequiresmetodropthelectureplatformoutofmymindandgostraightaheadwithJoanuntilthebookisfinished。IfIshouldhavetogohomeforevenaweekshemeanstogowithme——won”tconsenttobeseparatedagain——butshehopesIwon”tneedtogo。
Itellherallright，“Iwon”tgounlessyousend，andthenImust。”
Shekeepstheaccounts；andassheciphersitwecan”tgetcrowdedformoneyforeightmonthsyet。Ididn”tknowthat。ButIdon”tknowmuchanyway。
Sincerelyyours，S。L。CLEMENS。
ThereadermayrememberthatClemenshadwrittenthefirsthalfofhisJoanofArcbookattheVillaViviani，inFlorence，nearlytwoyearsbefore。HehadclosedthemanuscriptthenwiththetakingofOrleans，andwasbynomeanssurethathewouldcontinuethestorybeyondthatpoint。Now，however，hewasdeterminedtoreachthetale”stragicconclusion。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYork：
ETRETAT，Sunday，Sept。9，”94。
DEARMR。ROGERS，Idrovethequilltoohard，andIbrokedown——inmyhead。IthasnowbeenthreedayssinceIlaidup。WhenIwroteyouaweekagoIhadadded10，000wordsorthereabouttoJoan。NextdayI
added1，500whichwasaproperenoughday”sworkthoughnotafullone；
butduringTuesdayandWednesdayIstackedupanaggregateof6，000
words——andthatwasaverylargemistake。Myheadhasn”tbeenworthacentsince。
However，there”sacompensation；forinthosetwodaysIreachedandpassed——successfully——apointwhichIwassolicitousaboutbeforeIeverbeganthebook：viz。，thebattleofPatay。Becausethatwouldnaturallybethenexttothelastchapterofaworkconsistingofeithertwobooksorone。Intheonecaseonegoesrightalongfromthatpoint(asIshalldonow)；intheotherhewouldaddawind-upchapterandmakethebookconsistofJoan”schildhoodandmilitarycareeralone。
Ishallresumeworkto-day；andhereafterIwillnotgoatsuchanintemperate”rate。Myheadisprettycobwebbyyet。
IamhopingthatalongaboutthistimeIshallhearthatthemachineisbeginningitstestintheHeraldoffice。Ishallbeverygladindeedtoknowtheresultofit。IwishIcouldbethere。
SincerelyyoursS。L。CLEMENS。
Rouen，whereJoanmethermartyrdom，wasonlyashortdistanceaway，andtheyhaltedthereenroutetoParis，wheretheyhadarrangedtospendthewinter。ThehealthofSusyClemenswasnotgood，andtheylingeredinRouenwhileClemensexploredtheoldcityandincidentallydidsomewritingofanothersort。InanotetoMr。
Rogershesaid：“ToputinmyoddtimeIamwritingsomearticlesaboutPaulBourgetandhisOutre-Merchapters——laughingatthemandatsomeofouroracularowlswhofindthemimportant。Whatthehellmakesthemimportant，Ishouldliketoknow！“
HewasstillatRouentwoweekslaterandhadreceivedencouragingnewsfromRogersconcerningthetype-setter，whichhadbeenplacedfortrialintheofficeoftheChicagoHerald。Clemenswrote：“I
canhardlykeepfromsendingahurrahbycable。IwouldcertainlydoitifIwasn”tsuperstitious。”Hisrestraint，thoughwise，waswastedtheendwasnear。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYork：
169RUEDEL”UNIVERSITE，PARIS，Dec。22；”94。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——Iseemedtobeentirelyexpectingyourletter，andalsopreparedandresigned；butLord，itshowshowlittleweknowourselvesandhoweasilywecandeceiveourselves。Ithitmelikeathunder-clap。
Itknockedeveryragofsenseoutofmyhead，andIwentflyinghereandthereandyonder，notknowingwhatIwasdoing，andonlyoneclearlydefinedthoughtstandingupvisibleandsubstantialoutofthecrazystorm-driftthatmydreamoftenyearswasindesperateperil，andoutofthe60，000or90，000projectsforitsrescuethatcamefloatingthroughmyskull，notonewouldholdstilllongenoughformetoexamineitandsizeitup。Haveyoueverbeenlikethat？Notsomuchso，Ireckon。
Therewasanotherclearlydefinedidea——Imustbethereandseeitdie。
Thatis，ifitmustdie；andmaybeifIweretherewemighthatchupsomenext-to-impossiblewaytomakeittakeupitsbedandtakeawalk。
So，attheendoffourhoursIstarted，stillwhirlingandwalkedovertotherueScribe——4P。M——andaskedaquestionortwoandwastoldI
shouldberunningabigriskifItookthe9P。M。trainforLondonandSouthampton；“bettercomerightalongat6。52perHavrespecialandstepaboardtheNewYorkalleasyandcomfortable。”Very！andIabouttwomilesfromhome，withnopackingdone。
Thenitoccurredtomethatnoneofthesesalvation-notionsthatwerewhirl-windingthroughmyheadcouldbeexaminedormadeavailableunlessatleastamonth”stimecouldbesecured。SoIcabledyou，andsaidtomyselfthatIwouldtaketheFrenchsteamertomorrow(whichwillbeSunday)。
BybedtimeMrs。Clemenshadreasonedmeintoafairlyrationalandcontentedstateofmind；butofcourseitdidn”tlastlong。SoIwentonthinking——mixingitwithasmokeinthedressingroomonceanhour——untildawnthismorning。Result——asaneresolution；nomatterwhatyouranswertomycablemightbe，IwouldholdstillandnotsailuntilIshouldgetananswertothispresentletterwhichIamnowwriting，oracableanswerfromyousaying“Come“or“Remain。”
Ihaveslept6hours，mypondhasclarified，andIfindthesedimentofmy70，000projectstobeofthischaracter：
[Severalpagesofsuggestionsforreconstructingthemachinefollow。]
Don”tsayI”mwild。ForreallyI”msaneagainthismorning……
IamgoingrightalongwithJoan，now，andwaituntroubledtillIhearfromyou。IfyouthinkIcanbeoftheleastuse，cableme“Come。”
IcanwriteJoanonboardshipandlosenotime。AlsoIcoulddiscussmyplanwiththepublisherforadeluxeJoan，timebeinganobject，forsomeofthepicturescouldbemadeoverherecheaplyandquickly，butwouldcostmuchtimeandmoneyinAmerica……
IfthemeetingshoulddecidetoquitbusinessJan。4，I”dliketohaveStokerstoppedfrompayinginanymoremoney，ifMissHarrisondoesn”tmindthatdisagreeablejob。AndI”llhavetowritethem，too，ofcourse。
Withlove，S。L。CLEMENS。
The“Stoker“ofthisletterwasBramStoker，longassociatedwithSirHenryIrving。Irvinghimselfhadalsotakenstockinthemachine。Theaddress，169Ruedel”Universite，whencetheselettersarewritten，wasthebeautifulstudiohomeoftheartistPomroywhichtheyhadtakenforthewinter。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYork：
169RUEDEL”UNIVERSITE，PARIS，Dec。27，”94。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——Notwithstandingyourheartis“oldandhard，“youmakeabodychokeup。Iknowyou“meaneverywordyousay“andIdotakeit“inthesamespiritinwhichyoutenderit。”Ishallkeepyourregardwhilewetwolive——thatIknow；forIshallalwaysrememberwhatyouhavedoneforme，andthatwillinsuremeagainsteverdoinganythingthatcouldforfeititorimpairit。Iam59yearsold；yetIneverhadafriendbeforewhoputoutahandandtriedtopullmeashorewhenhefoundmeindeepwaters。
ItissixdaysorsevendaysagothatIlivedthroughthatdespairingday，andthenthroughanightwithoutsleep；thensettleddownnextdayintomyrightmind(orthereabouts，)andwroteyou。Iputintherestofthatdaytill7P。M。plentycomfortablyenoughwritingalongchapterofmybook；thenwenttoamaskedballblackedupasUncleRemus，takingClaraalong；andwehadagoodtime。Ihavelostnodaysinceandsufferednodiscomforttospeakof，butdrovemytroublesoutofmymindandhadgoodsuccessinkeepingthemout——throughwatchfulness。Ihavedoneagoodweek”sworkandputthebookagoodwayaheadintheGreatTrial，whichisthedifficultpartwhichrequiresthemostthoughtandcarefulness。IcannotseetheendoftheTrialyet，butIamontheroad。Iamcreepingsurelytowardit。
“Whynotleavethemalltome。”Mybusinessbothers？Itakeyoubythehand！Ijumpatthechance！
IoughttobeashamedandIamtryingmybesttobeashamed——andyetIdojumpatthechanceinspiteofit。Idon”twanttowriteIrvingandI
don”twanttowriteStoker。Itdoesn”tseemasifIcould。ButIcansuggestsomethingforyoutowritethem；andthenifyouseethatIamunwise，youcanwritethemsomethingquitedifferent。Nowthisismyidea：
1。ToreturnStoker”s$100tohimandkeephisstock。
2。AndtellIrvingthatwhenluckturnswithmeIwillmakegoodtohimwhatthesalvagefromthedeadCo。failstopayhimofhis$500。
P。S。MadamsaysNo，Imustfacethemusic。SoIenclosemyefforttobeusedifyouapprove，butnototherwise。
There！Nowifyouwillalterittosuityourjudgmentandbangaway，I
shallbeeternallyobliged。
WeshalltrytofindatenantforourHartfordhouse；notaneasymatter，foritcostsheavilytolivein。Wecanneverliveinitagain；thoughitwouldbreakthefamily”sheartsiftheycouldbelieveit。
NothingdauntsMrs。Clemensormakestheworldlookblacktoher——whichisthereasonIhaven”tdrownedmyself。
WeallsendourdeepestandwarmestgreetingstoyouandallofyoursandaHappyNewYear！
S。L。CLEMENS。
Enclosure：
MYDEARSTOKER，——Iamnotdatingthisbecauseitisnottobemailedatpresent。
Whenitreachesyouitwillmeanthatthereisahitchinmymachine-
enterprise——ahitchsoseriousastomakeittaketoitselftheaspectofadissolveddream。Thisletter，then，willcontainchequeforthe$100
whichyouhavepaid。AndwillyoutellIrvingforme——Ican”tgetupcourageenoughtotalkaboutthismisfortunemyself，excepttoyou，whombygoodluckIhaven”tdamagedyetthatwhenthewreckagepresentlyfloatsashorehewillgetagooddealofhis$500back；andadabatatimeIwillmakeuptohimtherest。
I”mnotfeelingasfineasIwaswhenIsawyouthereinyourhome。
PleaseremembermekindlytoMrs。Stoker。IgaveupthatLondonlecture-
projectentirely。Hadto——there”sneverbeenachancesincetofindthetime。
Sincerelyyours，S。L。CLEMENS。
XXXV
LETTERS，1895-96，TOH。H。ROGERSANDOTHERS。FINISHING“JOANOFARC。”
THETRIPAROUNDTHEWORLD。DEATHOFSUSYCLEMENS
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
[Nodate。]
DEARMR。ROGERS，——YoursofDec。21hasarrived，containingthecirculartostockholdersandIguesstheCo。willreallyquit——theredoesn”tseemtobeanyotherwisecourse。
There”sonethingwhichmakesitdifficultformetosoberlyrealizethatmytenyeardreamisactuallydissolved；andthatis，thatitreveriesmyhoroscope。Theproverbsays，“Bornlucky，alwayslucky，“andIamverysuperstitious。AsasmallboyIwasnotoriouslylucky。Itwasusualforoneortwoofourlads(perannum)togetdrownedintheMississippiorinBearCreek，butIwaspulledoutina2/3drownedcondition9timesbeforeIlearnedtoswim，andwasconsideredtobeacatindisguise。
Whenthe“Pennsylvania“blewupandthetelegraphreportedmybrotherasfatallyinjured(with60others)butmadenomentionofme，myunclesaidtomymother“ItmeansthatSamwassomewhereelse，afterbeingonthatboatayearandahalf——hewasbornlucky。”Yes，Iwassomewhereelse。
IamsosuperstitiousthatIhavealwaysbeenafraidtohavebusinessdealingswithcertainrelativesandfriendsofminebecausetheywereunluckypeople。AllmylifeIhavestumbleduponluckychancesoflargesize，andwhenevertheywerewasteditwasbecauseofmyownstupidityandcarelessness。AndsoIhavefeltentirelycertainthatthatmachinewouldturnuptrumpseventually。Itdisappointedmelotsoftimes，butI
couldn”tshakeofftheconfidenceofalife-timeinmyluck。
Well，whateverIgetoutofthewreckagewillbeduetogoodluck——thegoodluckofgettingyouintothescheme——for，butforthat，therewouldn”tbeanywreckage；itwouldbetotalloss。
Iwishyouhadbeeninatthebeginning。Thenweshouldhavehadthegoodlucktosteppromptlyashore。
MissHarrisonhashadadreamwhichpromisesmealargebankaccount，andIwanthertogoaheadanddreamittwicemore，soastomakethepredictionsuretobefulfilled。
I”vegotafirstratesubjectforabook。Itkeptmeawakeallnight，andIbeganitandcompleteditinmymind。TheminuteIfinishJoanIwilltakeitup。
LoveandHappyNewYeartoyouall。
Sincerelyyours，S。L。CLEMENS。
ThiswasabouttheendofthemachineinterestssofarasClemenswasconcerned。Paigesucceededingettingsomenewpeopleinterested，butnothingimportanthappened，orthatinanywayaffectedMarkTwain。Characteristicallyheputthewholematterbehindhimandplungedintohiswork，facingcomparativepovertyandaburdenofdebtswithastoutheart。Thebeginningofthenewyearfoundhimreallypoorerinpursethanhehadeverbeeninhislife，butcertainlynotcrushed，orevendiscouraged——atleast，notpermanently——andnevermoreindustriousorcapable。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
169RUEDEL”UNIVERSITE，PARIS，Jan。23，”95。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——AfterIwroteyou，twoorthreedaysagoIthoughtI
wouldmakeaholidayoftherestoftheday——theseconddeliberateholidaysinceIhadthegout。OnthefirstholidayIwroteataleofabout6，000words，whichwas3days”workinone；andthistimeIdid8，000beforemidnight。Igotnothingoutofthatfirstholidaybuttherecreationofit，forIcondemnedtheworkaftercarefulreadingandsomerevision；butthistimeIfaredbetter——IfinishedtheHuckFinntalethatliesinyoursafe，andamsatisfiedwithit。
TheBachellersyndicate(117TribuneBuilding)wantastoryof5，000
words(lowestlimitoftheirLondonagent)for$1，000andoffertoplankthecheckondelivery，anditwaspartlytomeetthatdemandthatItookthatotherholiday。SoasIhavenoshortstorythatsuitsme(andcan”tandshan”tmakepromises)，thebestIcandoistoofferthelongeronewhichIfinishedonmysecondholiday”TomSawyer，Detective。”
Itmakes27or28，000words，andisreallywrittenforgrownfolks，thoughIexpectyoungfolktoreadit，too。IttransferstothebanksoftheMississippitheincidentsofastrangemurderwhichwascommittedinSwedeninoldtimes。
I”llreferapplicantsforasightofthestorytoyouorMissHarrison——
[SecretarytoMr。Rogers。]
Yourssincerely，S。L。CLEMENS。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
169RUEDEL”UNIVERSITE，Apr。29，”95。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——Yourfelicitousdelightfulletterofthe15tharrivedthreedaysago，andbroughtgreatpleasureintothehouse。
ThereisonethingthatweighsheavilyonMrs。Clemensandme。ThatisBrusnahan”smoney。IfheissatisfiedtohaveitinvestedintheChicagoenterprise，wellandgood；ifnot，wewouldliketohavethemoneypaidbacktohim。Iwillgivehimasmanymonthstodecideinashepleases——
lethimname6or10or12——andwewillletthemoneystaywhereitisinyourhandstillthetimeisup。WillMissHarrisontellhimso？Imeanifyouapprove。Iwouldlikehimtohaveagoodinvestment，butwouldmeantimeprefertoprotecthimagainstloss。
At6minutespast7，yesterdayevening，JoanofArcwasburnedatthestake。
Withthelongstraingone，Iaminasortofphysicalcollapsetoday，butitwillbegonetomorrow。Ijudgedthatthisendofthebookwouldbehardwork，anditturnedoutso。Ihaveneverdoneanyworkbeforethatcostsomuchthinkingandweighingandmeasuringandplanningandcramming，orsomuchcautiousandpainstakingexecution。ForIwantedthewholeRouentrialin，ifitcouldbegotininsuchawaythatthereader”sinterestwouldnotflag——infactIwantedthereader”sinteresttoincrease；andsoIstucktoitwiththatdeterminationinview——withtheresultthatIhaveleftnothingoutbutunimportantrepetitions。
Althoughitismerehistory——historypureandsimple——historystrippednakedofflowers，embroideries，colorings，exaggerations，invention——thefamilyagreethatIhavesucceeded。Itwasaperilousthingtotryinatale，butIneverbelieveditadoubtfulone——providedIstuckstrictlytobusinessanddidn”tweakenandgiveup：ordidn”tgetlazyandskimpthework。Thefirsttwo-thirdsofthebookwereeasy；forIonlyneededtokeepmyhistoricalroadstraight；thereforeIusedforreferenceonlyoneFrenchhistoryandoneEnglishone——andshoveledinasmuchfancyworkandinventiononbothsidesofthehistoricalroadasIpleased。
ButonthislastthirdIhaveconstantlyusedfiveFrenchsourcesandfiveEnglishonesandIthinknotellinghistoricalnuggetinanyofthemhasescapedme。
Possiblythebookmaynotsell，butthatisnothing——itwaswrittenforlove。
There——I”mcalledtoseecompany。Thefamilyseldomrequirethisofme，buttheyknowIamnotworkingtoday。
Yourssincerely，S。L。CLEMENS。
“Brusnahan，“oftheforegoingletter，wasanemployeeoftheNewYorkHerald，superintendentofthepress-room——whohadinvestedsomeofhissavingsinthetype-setter。
InFebruaryClemensreturnedtoNewYorktolookaftermattersconnectedwithhisfailureandtoclosearrangementsforareading-
touraroundtheworld。Hewasnearlysixtyyearsold，andtimehadnotlessenedhisloathingfortheplatform。Morethanonce，however，inearlieryears，hehadturnedtoitasadebt-payer，andneveryethadhisburdenbeensogreatasnow。HeconcludedarrangementswithMajorPondtotakehimasfarasthePacificCoast，andwithR。S。Smythe，ofAustralia，fortherestofthetour。InAprilwefindhimoncemorebackinParispreparingtobringthefamilytoAmerica，HehadreturnedbywayofLondon，wherehehadvisitedStanleytheexplorer——anoldfriend。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
169RUEDEL”UNIVERSITE，Sunday，Apr。7”95。
DEARMR。ROGERS，……StanleyismagnificentlyhousedinLondon，inagrandmansioninthemidstoftheofficialworld，rightoffDowningStreetandWhitehall。Hehadanextraordinaryassemblageofbrainsandfametheretomeetme——thirtyorforty(bothsexes)atdinner，andmorethanahundredcamein，afterdinner。Keptituptillaftermidnight。
Therewerecabinetministers，ambassadors，admirals，generals，canons，Oxfordprofessors，novelists，playwrights，poets，andanumberofpeopleequippedwithrankandbrains。Itoldsomeyarnsandmadesomespeeches。
IpromisedtocallonallthosepeoplenexttimeIcometoLondon，andshowthemthewifeandthedaughters。IfIwereyoungerandverystrongIwoulddearlylovetospendaseasoninLondon——providedIhadnoworkonhand，ornoworkmoreexactingthanlecturing。IthinkIwilllecturethereamonthortwowhenIreturnfromAustralia。
Thereweremanydelightfulladiesinthatcompany。OnewasthewifeofHisExcellencyAdmiralBridge，Commander-inChiefoftheAustralianStation，andshesaidherhusbandwasabletothrowwidealldoorstomeinthatpartoftheworldandwouldbegladtodoit，andwouldyachtmeandmypartyaround，andexcursionusinhisflag-shipandmakeushaveagreattime；andshesaidshewouldwritehimwewerecoming，andwewouldfindhimready。IhavealetterfromherthismorningenclosingaletterofintroductiontotheAdmiral。IalreadyknowtheAdmiralcommandingintheChinaSeasandhavepromisedtolookinonhimoutthere。Hesleepswithmybooksunderhispillow。P”rapsitistheonlywayhecansleep。
AccordingtoMrs。Clemens”spresentplans——subjecttomodification，ofcourse——wesailinMay；stayoneday，ortwodaysinNewYork，spendJune，JulyandAugustinElmiraandpreparemylectures；thenlectureinSanFranciscoandthereaboutsduringSeptemberandsailforAustraliabeforethemiddleofOctoberandopentheshowthereaboutthemiddleofNovember。Wedon”ttakethegirlsalong；itwouldbetooexpensiveandtheyarequitewillingtoremainbehindanyway。
Mrs。C。isfeelingsowellthatsheisnotgoingtotrytheNewYorkdoctortillwehavegonearoundtheworldandrobbeditandmadethefinancesalittleeasier。
Withapoweroflovetoyouall，S。L。CLEMENS。
Therewouldcomemomentsofdepression，ofcourse，andaweeklaterhewrote：“Iamtiredtodeathallthetime：“Toamanoflessvitality，lessvigorofmindandbody，itiseasytobelievethatundersuchcircumstancesthisconditionwouldhaveremainedpermanent。Butperhaps，afterall，itwashiscomicoutlookonthingsingeneralthatwashischieflife-saver。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
169RUEDEL”UNIVERSITE，Apr。29，”95。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——Ihavebeenhiddenanhourortwo，readingproofofJoanandnowIthinkIamalostchild。Ican”tfindanybodyontheplace。Thebaggagehasalldisappeared，includingthefamily。Ireckonthatinthehurryandbustleofmovingtothehoteltheyforgotme。Butitisnomatter。ItispeacefullernowthanIhaveknownitfordaysanddaysanddays。
IntheseJoanproofswhichIhavebeenreadingfortheSeptemberHarperIfindacoupleoftip-topplatformreadings——andImeantoreadthemonourtrip。Iftheauthorshipisknownbythen；andifitisn”t，Iwillrevealit。Thefactis，thereismoregoodplatform-stuffinJoanthaninanypreviousbookofmine，byalongsight。
Yes，everydangedmemberofthetribehasgonetothehotelandleftmelost。Iwonderhowtheycanbesocarelesswithproperty。Ihavegottotrytogettherebymyselfnow。
Allthetrunksaregoingoverasluggage；thenI”vegottofindsomebodyonthedockwhowillagreetoship6ofthemtotheHartfordCustomhouse。
IfitisdifficultIwilldumpthemintotheriver。ItisverycarelessofMrs。Clemenstotrusttrunksandthingstome。
Sincerelyyours，S。L。CLEMENS。
BythelatterpartofMaytheywereatQuarryFarm，andClemens，laiduptherewithacarbuncle，waspreparingforhislongtour。
Theoutlookwasnotapleasantone。ToMr。Rogershewrote：“I
sha”n”tbeabletostandontheplatformbeforewestartwest。I
sha”n”tgetasinglechancetopracticemyreading；butwillhavetoappearinClevelandwithouttheessentialpreparation。Nothinginthisworldcansaveitfrombeingashabby，poordisgustingperformance。I”vegottostand；Ican”tdoitandtalktoahouse，andhowinthenationamIgoingtosit？LandofGoshen，it”sthisnightweek！Prayforme。”
TheopeningatClevelandJuly15thappearsnottohavebeenmuchofasuccess，thoughfromanotherreason，onethatdoubtlessseemedamusingtohimlater。
ToH。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
(Forenoon)
CLEVELAND，July16，”95。
DEARMR。ROGERS，——HadaroaringsuccessattheElmirareformatorySundaynight。Buthere，lastnight，Isuffereddefeat——Therewereacoupleofhundredlittleboysbehindmeonthestage，onaloftytierofbencheswhichmadethemthemostconspicuousobjectsinthehouse。Andtherewasnobodytowatchthemorkeepthemquiet。Why，withtheirscufflingsandhorse-playandnoise，itwasjustamenagerie。Besides，aconcertofamateurshadbeensmuggledintotheprogram(toprecedeme，)andtheirfamiliesandfriends(saytenpercentoftheaudience)keptencoringthemandtheyalwaysresponded。Soitwas20minutesto9beforeIgottheplatforminfrontofthose2，600peoplewhohadpaidadollarapieceforachancetogotohellinthisfashion。
Igotstartedmagnificently，butinsideofhalfanhourthescufflingboyshadtheaudience”smaddenedattentionandIsawitwasagonecase；
soIskippedathirdofmyprogramandquit。Thenewspapersarekind，butbetweenyouandmeitwasadefeat。Thereain”tgoingtobeanymoreconcertsatmylectures。Icarenothingforthisdefeat，becauseitwasnotmyfault。MyfirsthalfhourshowedthatIhadthehouse，andI
couldhavekeptitifIhadn”tbeensohandicapped。
Yourssincerely，S。L。CLEMENS。
P。S。HadasatisfactorytimeatPetoskey。Crammedthehouseandturnedawayacrowd。Wehad$548inthehouse，whichwas$300morethanithadeverhadinitbefore。IbelieveIdon”tcaretohaveatalkgooffbetterthanthatonedid。
MarkTwain，onthislongtour，wasaccompaniedbyhiswifeandhisdaughterClara——SusyandJeanClemensremainingwiththeirauntatQuarryFarm。Thetourwasafinancialsuccessfromthestart。
BythetimetheywerereadytosailfromVancouverfivethousanddollarshadbeenremittedtoMr。RogersagainstthatdayofsettlementwhenthedebtsofWebster&Co。weretobepaid。Perhapsitshouldbestatedherethatalegalsettlementhadbeenarrangedonabasisoffiftycentsonthedollar，butneitherClemensnorhiswifeconsentedtothisasfinal。Theywouldpayinfull。
TheysailedfromVancouverAugust23，1895。AbouttheonlyletterofthistimeisanamusingnotetoRudyardKipling，writtenatthemomentofdeparture。
ToRudyardKipling，inEngland：
August，1895。
DEARKIPLING，——ItisreportedthatyouareabouttovisitIndia。ThishasmovedmetojourneytothatfarcountryinorderthatImayunloadfrommyconscienceadebtlongduetoyou。YearsagoyoucamefromIndiatoElmiratovisitme，asyousaidatthetime。Ithasalwaysbeenmypurposetoreturnthatvisitandthatgreatcomplimentsomeday。IshallarrivenextJanuaryandyoumustbeready。Ishallcomeridingmyayahwithhistusksadornedwithsilverbellsandribbonsandescortedbyatroopofnativehowdahsrichlycladandmounteduponaherdofwildbungalows；andyoumustbeonhandwithafewbottlesofghee，forI
shallbethirsty。
Affectionately，S。L。CLEMENS。
Clemens，platforminginAustralia，wastoobusytowriteletters。
Everywherehewaswelcomedbygreataudiences，andeverywherelavishlyentertained。Hewasbesetbyothercarbuncles，butwouldseemnottohavebeenseriouslydelayedbythem。AlettertohisoldfriendTwichellcarriesthestory。
ToRev。Jos。H。Twichell，inHartford：
FRANKMOELLER”SMASONICHOTEL，NAPIER，NEWZEALAND，November29，”95。
DEARJOE，——Yourwelcomeletteroftwomonthsandfivedaysagohasjustarrived，andfindsmeinbedwithanothercarbuncle。ItisNo。3。Notaseriousonethistime。Ilecturedlastnightwithoutinconvenience，butthedoctorsthoughtbesttoforbidto-night”slecture。MysecondonekeptmeinbedaweekinMelbourne……Weareallgladitisyouwhoistowritethearticle，itdelightsusallthrough。
IthinkitwasagoodstrokeofluckthatknockedmeonmybackhereatNapier，insteadofsomehotelinthecentreofanoisycity。Herewehavethesmoothandplacidly-complainingseaatourdoor，withnothingbetweenusanditbut20yardsofshingle——andhardlyasuggestionoflifeinthatspacetomaritormakeanoise。Awaydownherefifty-fivedegreessouthoftheEquatorthisseaseemstomurmurinanunfamiliartongue——aforeigntongue——tonguebredamongtheice-fieldsoftheAntarctic——amurmurwithanoteofmelancholyinitpropertothevastunvisitedsolitudesithascomefrom。Itwasverydeliciousandsolacingtowakeinthenightandfinditstillpulsingthere。Iwishyouwerehere——land，butitwouldbefine！
LivyandClaraenjoythisnomadiclifeprettywell；certainlybetterthanonecouldhaveexpectedtheywould。Theyhavetoughexperiences，inthewayoffoodandbedsandfranticlittleships，buttheyputupwiththeworstthatbefallswithheroicendurancethatresemblescontentment。
NodoubtIshallbeontheplatformnextMonday。AweeklaterweshallreachWellington；talkthere3nights，thensailbacktoAustralia。WesailedforNewZealandOctober30。
DaybeforeyesterdaywasLivy”sbirthday(underworldtime)，andtomorrowwillbemine。Ishallbe60——nothanksforit。
Iandtheotherssendworldsandworldsoflovetoallyoudearones。
MARK。
ThearticlementionedintheforegoingletterwasonewhichTwichellhadbeenengagedbyHarper”sMagazinetowriteconcerningthehomelifeandcharacteristicsofMarkTwain。BythetimetheClemenspartyhadcompletedtheirtourofIndia——asplendid，triumphanttour，toofullofworkandrecreationforletter-writing——andhadreachedSouthAfrica，thearticlehadappeared，asatisfactoryone，ifwemayjudgebyMarkTwain”snext。
Thisletter，however，hasaspecialinterestintheaccountitgivesofMarkTwain”svisittotheJamesonraiders，thenimprisonedatPretoria。
ToRev。Jos。H。Twichell，inHartford：
PRETORIA，SOUTHAFRICANREPUBLIC，TheQueen”sBirthday，”96。
(May24)
DEAROLDJOE，——HarperforMaywasgiventomeyesterdayinJohannesburgbyanAmericanladywholivesthere，andIreadyourarticleonmewhilecomingupinthetrainwithherandanoldfriendandfellow-Missourianofmine，Mrs。JohnHaysHammond，thehandsomeandspiritedwifeofthechiefofthe4Reformers，wholiesinprisonhereundera15-yearsentence，alongwith50minorReformerswhoareinfor1and5-yearterms。ThankyouathousandtimesJoe，youhavepraisedmeawayabovemydeserts，butIamnotthemantoquarrelwithyouforthat；andasforLivy，shewilltakeyourveryhardieststatementsatpar，andbegratefultoyoutothebottomofherheart。BetweenyouandPunchandBranderMatthews，Iamliketohavemyopinionofmyselfraisedsufficientlyhigh；andIguessthechildrenwillbeafteryou，foritisthestudyoftheirlivestokeepmyself-appreciationdownsomewherewithinbounds。
IhadanotefromMrs。Rev。Gray(neeTyler)yesterday，andcalledonherto-day。Sheiswell。
YesterdayIwasallowedtoentertheprisonwithMrs。Hammond。ABoerguardwasatmyelbowallthetime，butwascourteousandpolite，onlyhebarredthewayinthecompound(quadrangleorbigopencourt)andwouldn”tletmecrossawhitemarkthatwasontheground——the“death-
line“oneoftheprisonerscalledit。Notinearnest，though，Ithink。
IfoundthatIhadmetHammondoncewhenhewasaYaleseniorandaguestofGen。Franklin”s。IalsofoundthatIhadknownCapt。Meinintimately32yearsago。OneoftheEnglishprisonershadheardmelectureinLondon23yearsago。Afterbeingintroducedinturntoalltheprisoners，Iwasallowedtoseesomeofthecellsandexaminetheirfood，beds，etc。IwastoldinJohannesburgthatHammond”ssalaryof$150，000
ayearisnotstopped，andthatthesalariesofsomeoftheothersarestillcontinued。Hammondwaslookingverywellindeed，andIcansaythesameofalltheothers。Whenthetroublefirstfelluponthemithitsomeofthemveryhard；severalfellsick(Hammondamongthem)，twoorthreehadtoberemovedtothehospital，andoneofthefavoriteslosthismindandkilledhimself，poorfellow，lastweek。Hisfuneral，withasorrowingfollowingof10，000，tooktheplaceofthepublicdemonstrationtheAmericansweregettingupforme。
Theseprisonersarestrongmen，prominentmen，andIbelievetheyarealleducatedmen。Theyarewelloff；someofthemarewealthy。Theyhavealotofbookstoread，theyplaygamesandsmoke，andforawhiletheywillbeabletobearupintheircaptivity；butnotforlong，notforverylong，Itakeit。Iamtoldtheyhavetimesofdeadlybroodinganddepression。Imadethemaspeech——sittingdown。Itjusthappenedso。
Idon”tpreferthatattitude。Still，ithasoneadvantage——itisonlyatalk，itdoesn”ttaketheformofaspeech。Ihavetrieditoncebeforeonthistrip。However，ifabodywantstomakesureofhaving“liberty，“
andfeelingathome，hehadbetterstandup，ofcourse。Iadvisedthematconsiderablelengthtostaywheretheywere——theywouldgetusedtoitandlikeitpresently；iftheygotouttheywouldonlygetinagainsomewhereelse，bythelookoftheircountenances；andIpromisedtogoandseethePresidentanddowhatIcouldtogethimtodoubletheirjail-terms。
Wehadaverygoodsociabletimetillthepermittedtimewasupandalittleover，andweoutsidershadtogo。Iwentagainto-day，buttheRev。Mr。Grayhadjustarrived，andthewarden，agenial，elderlyBoernamedDuPlessis——explainedthathisorderswouldn”tallowhimtoadmitsaintandsinneratthesametime，particularlyonaSunday。DuPlessis——descendedfromtheHuguenotfugitives，yousee，of200yearsago——
buthehasn”tanyFrenchleftinhimnow——allDutch。
ItgravelsmetothinkwhatagooseIwastomakeLivyandClararemaininDurban；butIwantedtosavethemthe30-hourrailwaytriptoJohannesburg。AndDurbananditsclimateandopulentfoliageweresolovely，andthefriendsthereweresochoiceandsoheartythatI
sacrificedmyselfintheirinterests，asIthought。Itisjustthebeginningofwinter，andalthoughthedaysarehot，thenightsarecool。
Butit”slovelyweatherintheseregions，too；andthefriendsareaslovelyastheweather，andJohannesburgandPretoriaarebrimmingwithinterest。Italkheretwicemore，thenreturntoJohannesburgnextWednesdayforafifthtalkthere；thentotheOrangeFreeStatecapital，thentosometownonthewaytoPortElizabeth，wherethetwowilljoinusbyseafromDurban；thenthegangwillgotoKimberleyandpresentlytotheCape——andso，inthecourseoftime，weshallgetthroughandsailforEngland；andthenwewillhuntupaquietvillageandIwillwriteandLivyedit，forafewmonths，whileClaraandSusyandJeanstudymusicandthingsinLondon。
Wehavehadnoblegoodtimeseverywhereandeveryday，fromCleveland，July15，toPretoria，May24，andneveradulldayeitheronseaorland，notwithstandingthecarbunclesandthings。EvenwhenIwaslaidup10
daysatJeyporeinIndiawehadthecharmingesttimeswithEnglishfriends。AlloverIndiatheEnglishwell，youwillneverknowhowgoodandfinetheyaretillyouseethem。
Midnightandafter！andImustdomanythingsto-day，andlecturetonight。
Aworldofthankstoyou，Joedear，andaworldoflovetoallofyou。
MARK。
PerhapsforreadersofalaterdayawordastowhatconstitutedtheJamesonraidwouldnotbeoutofplacehere。Dr。LeanderStarrJamesonwasanEnglishphysician，locatedatKimberley。PresidentKruger(OomPaul)，headoftheSouthAfricanRepublic，wasoneofhispatients；also，Lobengula，theMatabelechief。FromLobengulaconcessionswereobtainedwhichledtotheformationoftheSouthAfricanCompany。Jamesongaveuphisprofessionandwentinforconquest，associatinghimselfwiththeprojectsofCecilRhodes。
IntimehebecameadministratorofRhodesia。Bytheendof1894。
hewasinhighfeather，andduringavisittoEnglandwasfetedasasortofromanticconqueroroftheoldentime。Perhapsthisturnedhishead；atalleventsattheendof1895camethestartlingnewsthat“Dr。Jim，“ashewascalled，attheheadofsixhundredmen，hadriddenintotheTransvaalinsupportofaRhodesschemeforanuprisingatJohannesburg。Theraidwasafailure。Jameson，andthoseotherknightsofadventure，werecapturedbytheforcesof“OomPaul，“andsomeofthembarelyescapedexecution。TheBoerpresidenthandedthemovertotheEnglishGovernmentforpunishment，andtheyreceivedvaryingsentences，butallwereeventuallyreleased。Jameson，later，becameagainprominentinSouth-Africanpolitics，butthereisnorecordofanyfurtherraids……
TheClemenspartysailedfromSouthAfricathemiddleofJuly，1896，andonthelastdayofthemonthreachedEngland。TheyhadnotplannedtoreturntoAmerica，buttospendthewinterinornearLondoninsomequietplacewhereClemenscouldwritethebookofhistravels。
ThetwodaughtersinAmerica，SusyandJean，wereexpectedtoarriveAugust12th，butonthatdaytherecame，instead，alettersayingthatSusyClemenswasnotwellenoughtosail。Acableinquirywasimmediatelysent，butthereplywhenitcamewasnotsatisfactory，andMrs。ClemensandClarasailedforAmericawithoutfurtherdelay。
ThiswasonAugust15th。Threedayslater，intheoldhomeatHartford，SusyClemensdiedofcerebralfever。ShehadbeenvisitingMrs。CharlesDudleyWarner，butbythephysician”sadvicehadbeenremovedtothecomfortandquietofherownhome，onlyafewstepsaway。
MarkTwain，returningfromhistriumphanttouroftheworldinthehopethatsoon，now，hemightbefreefromdebt，withhisfamilyhappilygatheredabouthim，hadtofacealonethiscruelblow。
TherewasnopurposeinhisgoingtoAmerica；Susywouldbeburiedlongbeforehisarrival。HeawaitedinEnglandthereturnofhisbrokenfamily。TheylivedthatwinterinaquietcornerofChelsea，No。23TedworthSquare。
ToRev。JosephH。Twichell，inHartford，Conn。：
Permanentaddress：
%CHATTO&WINDUS
111T。MARTIN”SLANE，LONDON，Sept。27，”96。
ThroughLivyandKatyIhavelearned，dearoldJoe，howloyallyyoustoodpoorSusy”sfriend，andmine，andLivy”s：howyoucameallthewaydown，twice，fromyoursummerrefugeonyourmercifulerrandstobringthepeaceandcomfortofyourbelovedpresence，firsttothatpoorchild，andagaintothebrokenheartofherpoordesolatemother。Itwaslikeyou；
likeyourgoodgreatheart，likeyourmatchlessandunmatchableself。
ItwasnosurprisetometolearnthatyoustayedbySusylonghours，carelessoffatigueandheat，itwasnosurprisetometolearnthatyoucouldstillthestormsthatsweptherspiritwhennoothercould；forshelovedyou，reveredyou，trustedyou，and“UncleJoe“wasnoemptyphraseuponherlips！Iamgratefultoyou，Joe，gratefultothebottomofmyheart，whichhasalwaysbeenfilledwithloveforyou，andrespectandadmiration；andIwouldhavechosenyououtofalltheworldtotakemyplaceatSusy”ssideandLivy”sinthoseblackhours。
Susywasararecreature；therarestthathasbeenrearedinHartfordinthisgeneration。AndLivyknewit，andyouknewit，andCharleyWarnerandGeorge，andHarmony，andtheHillyersandtheDunhamsandtheCheneys，andSusyandLilly，andtheBunces，andHenryRobinsonandDickBurton，andperhapsothers。AndIalsowasofthenumber，butnotinthesamedegree——forshewasabovemydullercomprehension。Imerelyknewthatshewasmysuperiorinfinenessofmind，inthedelicacyandsubtletyofherintellect，buttofullymeasureherIwasnotcompetent。
Iknowherbetternow；forIhavereadherprivatewritingsandsoundedthedeepsofhermind；andIknowbetter，now，thetreasurethatwasminethanIknewitwhenIhadit。ButIhavethisconsolation：thatdullasIwas，Ialwaysknewenoughtobeproudwhenshecommendedmeormywork——asproudasifLivyhaddoneitherself——andItookitastheaccoladefromthehandofgenius。Iseenow——asLivyalwayssaw——thatshehadgreatnessinher；andthatsheherselfwasdimlyconsciousofit。
Andnowsheisdead——andIcannevertellher。
GodblessyouJoe——andallofyourhouse。
S。L。C。
ToMr。HenryC。Robinson，Hartford，Conn。：
LONDON，Sept。28，”96。
Itisasyousay，dearoldfriend，“thepathosofit“yes，itwasapiteousthing——aspiteousatragedyasanytheyearcanfurnish。Whenwestartedwestwarduponourlongtripathalfpasttenatnight，July14，1895，atElmira，Susystoodontheplatformintheblazeoftheelectriclightwavinghergood-byestousasthetrainglidedaway，hermotherthrowingbackkissesandwatchingherthroughhertears。Oneyear，onemonth，andoneweeklater，Claraandhermotherhavingexactlycompletedthecircuitoftheglobe，drewupatthatplatformatthesamehourofthenight，inthesametrainandthesamecar——andagainSusyhadcomeajourneyandwasnearathandtomeetthem。Shewaswaitinginthehouseshewasbornin，inhercoffin。
Allthecircumstancesofthisdeathwerepathetic——mybrainisworntoragsrehearsingthem。Themeredeathwouldhavebeencrueltyenough，withoutoverloadingitandemphasizingitwiththatscoreofharshandwantondetails。Thechildwastakenawaywhenhermotherwaswithinthreedaysofher，andwouldhavegiventhreedecadesforsightofher。
InmydespairandunassuageablemiseryIupbraidmyselfforeverpartingwithher。Butthereisnouseinthat。Sinceitwastohappenitwouldhavehappened。
WithloveS。L。C。
ThelifeatTedworthSquarethatwinterwasoneofalmostcompleteprivacy。OfthehundredsoffriendswhichMarkTwainhadinLondonscarcelyhalfadozenknewhisaddress。Heworkedsteadilyonhisbookoftravels，”FollowingtheEquator”，andwrotefewlettersbeyondbusinesscommunicationstoMr。Rogers。Inoneofthesehesaid，“Iamappalled！HereIamtryingtoloadyouupwithworkagainafteryouhavebeendray-horsingoverthesametiresomegroundforayear。It”stoobad，andIamashamedofit。”
ButlateinNovemberhesentaletterofadifferentsort——onethatwastohaveanimportantbearingonthelifeofagirltodayofuniqueandworld-widedistinction。
ToMrs。H。H。Rogers，inNewYorkCity：
ForandinbehalfofHelenKeller，stoneblindanddeaf，andformerlydumb。
DEARMRS。ROGERS，——Experiencehasconvincedmethatwhenonewishestosetahard-workedmanatsomethingwhichhemightn”tprefertobebotheredwith，itisbesttomoveuponhimbehindhiswife。Ifshecan”tconvincehimitisn”tworthwhileforotherpeopletotry。
Mr。RogerswillrememberourvisitwiththatastonishinggirlatLawrenceHutton”shousewhenshewasfourteenyearsold。LastJuly，inBoston，whenshewas16sheunderwenttheHarvardexaminationforadmissiontoRadcliffeCollege。Shepassedwithoutasinglecondition。Shewasallowedthesameamountoftimethatisgrantedtootherapplicants，andthiswasshortenedinhercasebythefactthatthequestionpapershadtobereadtoher。Yetshescoredanaverageof90asagainstanaverageof78onthepartoftheotherapplicants。
Itwon”tdoforAmericatoallowthismarvelouschildtoretirefromherstudiesbecauseofpoverty。Ifshecangoonwiththemshewillmakeafamethatwillendureinhistoryforcenturies。Alongherspeciallinessheisthemostextraordinaryproductofalltheages。
ThereisdangerthatshemustretirefromthestruggleforaCollegedegreeforlackofsupportforherselfandforMissSullivan，(theteacherwhohasbeenwithherfromthestart——Mr。Rogerswillrememberher。)Mrs。HuttonwritestoaskmetointerestrichEnglishmeninhercase，andIwouldgladlytry，butmysecludedlifewillnotpermitit。
Iseenobody。Nobodyknowsmyaddress。Nothingbutthestrictesthidingcanenablemetowritemylongbookintime。
SoIthoughtofthisscheme：BegyoutolaysiegetoyourhusbandandgethimtointeresthimselfandMess。JohnD。andWilliamRockefellerandtheotherStandardOilchiefsinHelen”scase；getthemtosubscribeanannualaggregateofsixorsevenhundredorathousanddollars——andagreetocontinuethisforthreeorfouryears，untilshehascompletedhercollegecourse。I”mnottryingtolimittheirgenerosity——indeedno，theymaypilethatStandardOil，HelenKellerCollegeFundashighastheyplease，theyhavemyconsent。
Mrs。Hutton”sideaistoraiseapermanentfundtheinterestuponwhichshallsupportHelenandherteacherandputthemoutofthefearofwant。
Ishan”tsayawordagainstit，butshewillfinditadifficultanddishearteningjob，andmeanwhilewhatistobecomeofthatmiraculousgirl？
No，forimmediateandsoundeffectiveness，thethingisforyoutopleadwithMr。Rogersforthishamperedwonderofyoursex，andsendhimclothedwithplenarypowerstopleadwiththeotherchiefs——theyhavespentmountainsofmoneyupontheworthiestbenevolences，andIthinkthatthesamespiritwhichmovedthemtoputtheirhandsdownthroughtheirheartsintotheirpocketsinthosecaseswillanswer“Here！“whenitsnameiscalledinthisone。638
There——Idon”tneedtoapologizetoyouortoH。H。forthisappealthatIammaking；Iknowyoutoowellforthat。
Good-byewithlovetoallofyouS。L。CLEMENS。
LaurenceHuttonisonthestaffofHarper”sMonthly——closeby，andhandywhenwanted。
Thepleawasnotmadeinvain。Mr。andMrs。RogersinterestedthemselvesmostliberallyinHelenKeller”sfortune，andcertainlynoonecansaythatanyofthosewhocontributedtohersuccesseverhadreasonfordisappointment。
Inhisletterofgratefulacknowledgment，whichfollows，ClemensalsotakesoccasiontothankMr。Rogersforhisfurthereffortsinthematterofhisowndifficulties。Thisparticularreferenceconcernsthepublishing，complicationswhichbythistimehadarisenbetweentheAmericanPublishingCompany，ofHartford，andthehouseinFranklinSquare。
LONDON，Dec。22，”96。
DEARMRS。ROGERS，——Itissuperb！AndIambeyondmeasuregratefultoyouboth。Iknewyouwouldbeinterestedinthatwonderfulgirl，andthatMr。Rogerswasalreadyinterestedinherandtouchedbyher；andIwassurethatifnobodyelsehelpedheryoutwowould；butyouhavegonefarandawaybeyondthesumIexpected——mayyourlinesfallinpleasantplaceshereandHereafterforit！
TheHuttonsareasgladandgratefulastheycanbe，andIamgladfortheirsakesaswellasforHelen”s。
IwanttothankMr。RogersforcrucifyinghimselfagainonthesameoldcrossbetweenBlissandHarper；andgoodnessknowsIhopehewillcometoenjoyitaboveallotherdissipationsyet，seeingthatithasaboutittheelementsofstabilityandpermanency。However，atanytimethathesayssign，we”regoingtodoit。
EversincerelyYoursS。L。CLEMENS。
XXXVI
LETTERS1897。LONDON，SWITZERLAND，VIENNA
MarkTwainworkedsteadilyonhisbookthatsadwinterandmanagedtokeepthegloomoutofhischapters，thoughitisnoticeablethat”FollowingtheEquator”ismoreseriousthanhisotherbooksoftravel。
Hewrotefewletters，andtheseonlytohisthreeclosestfriends，Howells，Twichell，andRogers。InthelettertoTwichell，whichfollows，thereismentionoftwounfinishedmanuscriptswhichheexpectstoresume。Oneofthesewasadreamstory，enthusiasticallybegun，butperhapswithinsufficientplottocarryitthrough，foritneverreachedconclusion。Hehadalreadytrieditinoneortwoformsandwouldbeginitagainpresently。Theidentityoftheothertaleisuncertain。
ToRev。J。H。Twichell，inHartford：
LONDON，Jan。19，”97。
DEARJOE，——DoIwantyoutowritetome？IndeedIdo。Idonotwantmostpeopletowrite，butIdowantyoutodoit。Theothersbreakmyheart，butyouwillnot。Youhaveasomethingdivineinyouthatisnotinothermen，。Youhavethetouchthatheals，notlacerates。Andyouknowthesecretplacesofourhearts。Youknowourlife——theoutsideofit——astheothersdo——andtheinsideofit——whichtheydonot。Youhaveseenourwholevoyage。Youhaveseenusgotosea，acloudofsail——andtheflagatthepeak；andyouseeusnow，chartless，adrift——derelicts；
battered，water-logged，oursailsaruckofrags，ourpridegone。Foritisgone。Andthereisnothinginitsplace。Thevanityoflifewasallwehad，andthereisnomorevanityleftinus。Weareevenashamedofthatwehad；ashamedthatwetrustedthepromisesoflifeandbuildedhigh——tocometothis！
IdidknowthatSusywaspartofus；Ididnotknowthatshecouldgoaway；Ididnotknowthatshecouldgoaway，andtakeourliveswithher，yetleaveourdullbodiesbehind。AndIdidnotknowwhatshewas。Tomeshewasbuttreasureinthebank；theamountknown，theneedtolookatitdaily，handleit，weighit，countit，realizeit，notnecessary；
andnowthatIwoulddoit，itistoolate；theytellmeitisnotthere，hasvanishedawayinanight，thebankisbroken，myfortuneisgone，I
amapauper。HowamItocomprehendthis？HowamItohaveit？WhyamIrobbed，andwhoisbenefited？
Ah，well，Susydiedathome。Shehadthatprivilege。Herdyingeyesresteduponnothingthatwasstrangetothem，butonlyuponthingswhichtheyhadknownandlovedalwaysandwhichhadmadeheryoungyearsglad；
andshehadyou，andSue，andKaty，andJohn，andEllen。Thiswashappyfortune——Iamthankfulthatitwasvouchsafedtoher。Ifshehaddiedinanotherhouse-well，IthinkIcouldnothavebornethat。Tous，ourhousewasnotunsentientmatter——ithadaheart，andasoul，andeyestoseeuswith；andapprovals，andsolicitudes，anddeepsympathies；itwasofus，andwewereinitsconfidence，andlivedinitsgraceandinthepeaceofitsbenediction。Wenevercamehomefromanabsencethatitsfacedidnotlightupandspeakoutitseloquentwelcome——andwecouldnotenteritunmoved。Andcouldwenow，oh，now，inspiritweshouldenteritunshod。
Iamtryingtoaddtothe“assets“whichyouestimatesogenerously。
No，Iamnot。Thethoughtisnotinmymind。Mypurposeisother。Iamworking，butitisforthesakeofthework——the“surceaseofsorrow“
thatisfoundthere。Iworkallthedays，andtroublevanishesawaywhenIusethatmagic。Thisbookwillnotlongstandbetweenitandme，now；
butthatisnomatter，Ihavemanyunwrittenbookstoflytoformypreservation；theintervalbetweenthefinishingofthisoneandthebeginningofthenextwillnotbemorethananhour，atmost。
Continuances，Imean；fortwoofthemarealreadywellalong——infacthavereachedexactlythesamestageintheirjourney：19，000wordseach。
Thepresentonewillcontain180，000words——130，000aredone。Iamwellprotected；butLivy！Shehasnothingintheworldtoturnto；nothingbuthousekeeping，anddoingthingsforthechildrenandme。Shedoesnotseepeople，andcannot；bookshavelosttheirinterestforher。Shesitssolitary；andalltheday，andallthedays，wondershowitallhappened，andwhy。Weotherswerealwaysbusywithouraffairs，butSusywashercomrade——hadtobedrivenfromherlovingpersecutions——sometimesat1inthemorning。ToLivythepersecutionswerewelcome。Itwasheaventohertobeplaguedlikethat。Butitisendednow。Livystandssoinneedofhelp；andnoneamongusallcouldhelpherlikeyou。
SomedayyouandIwillwalkagain，Joe，andtalk。Ihopeso。Wecouldhavesuchtalks！WeareallgratefultoyouandHarmony——howgratefulitisnotgiventoustosayinwords。Wepayaswecan，inlove；andinthiscoinpracticingnoeconomy。
Goodbye，dearoldJoe！