OCR Text |
Show THREE MARK TWAIN ITEMS Ono la a Characteristic Letter From the Well-Known Humorist to a Friend. Throe Interesting Mnrk Twain Items aro In tho George Denthnm library, which will bo sold at Anderson's on November 28. One Is a two-pngo letter, let-ter, Elmlra. July 12 (no year, but presumed pre-sumed to bo nbout 1884), to n friend named Conway, and refers to tho publishing pub-lishing house of Webster & Co., which Mark Twain founded In 1884. The letter reads In part: "We are full, clear up to tho ciiln we can hnndlo only two books a year nnd are now under contract for six. Wo have already declined n book of my own no room for It, and we could do better, nnyway. My book wan roady nearly a year ago and Is likely to remain ready a long time before I get It Into print by our concern." Tho falluro of Webstor & Co., It will be recalled, Involved Mark Twain in heavy losses, which ho made up later by the success of his own books and lectures. It Is thought that perhaps the unpublished book he refers to In his letter was "Hucklobcry Finn," which was Issued in 1884. Another Mark Twain lot consists of five characteristic telegrams from him to James Iledpath, 18G9-74. In one of them he says: "Notify all hands that from this date 1 Bhall talk nothing but selections from my forthcoming forth-coming book, 'Itoughlng It.' Tried It last night. Suits me tip top." In another an-other tolcgram he says about going to Amherst to lecture. "If I had another an-other engagement I would rob before I would fill it." There Is also an amusing thrce-pago thrce-pago lotter, In pencil, signed "Mark," and written In 1809 to Jnmcs Bed-path. Bed-path. In It he says: "I don't want to lecture In Brooklyn Brook-lyn any more. This Is tho very society so-ciety I thought that Infernal woman was representing. But I've got enough. I cover will lecture outside of New England again, and 1 novor will lecture In Brooklyn at all. Suspend Sus-pend Judgment till you see me. Sho made that ad. read as If I was talking on my own hook, and for no society." |