The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-07-02
Mark Twain and the Book Agent.

ment OF territory on new SUBSCRIPTION
work, and imagined it would be capt.
tai thing to lead off the list with the name
of celebrity like Mark Twain. | did
not study his little eccentricities and pc.
culiar ways of dealing with his fellow
men through the medium of his loqua.
cious and leisurely neighbors as we
sometimes do. called about ten in the
morning, prospectus in hand 1t was
one OF our rare-very rare-fine May
days, and the uthor-lecturer- joker was
taking in the beauties of nature from an
oak fence post in the front yard, where
he sat watching some laborers digging
post holes. The fact was noticed from a
distance with some misgivings, for had
hoped the interview might take place in
his study, in a congenial booky atmos-
phcre. Some people are susceptible to
atmospheric influences, and book can
vassers have to study and manipulate
surroundings with skill bordering on
high art. The rare loveliness of the
day, however, was conducive to a pleas
ant, laxative humor, and l approached
with my confidence at high pressure to
the last instant. The laborers paid
NO attention to the new conner, and it ap-
pearcd the most natural thing for Twain
to deal with an itinerant agent
The book seemed to impress him
instantly. He examined the work
carefully and with spirit, com
mcnted on its remarkable features, and
told a few anecdotes about the
author, with whom he is acquainted. He
next turned to the cngravings, and dis
cussed them in detail, occasionally refer.
ring to various originals of the subjects
he had seen abroad, and drifted on to
minute criticism Of each plate For
some of the plates he would have pre-
ferred other artists conceptions to those
given. l, being unable to follow in this
rambling discourse on art, had to grant
him his views and preferences unchal-
lenged, and felt wonderfully relieved
when he declared at last that the features
he took exception to did not detract from
the value Of the work. From art lie
passed on to the consideration of the
text, and overwhelmed me with ready
comments on the chief points of history
and biography. The ceremony was get
ting lengthy, and l sat on the PROSTATE
post about rs much at ease as though the
seat was well-seasonedh emlock, with the
splinters vertically inclined; all manner
Of disagreeable sensations filtered through
me, but mainly the sense of my little
ness in art and literature compared with
this master to whom assumed to cater.
believed him in dead earnest, you see,
as he seemed, and faint monotones were
my response. Finally, to my relief again,
he said that, though differing with many
of the authors conclusions and senti-
ments, this fact would not detract from
the value of the work in his estimation.
Suddenly shrill shrieking of steam
whistles and ringing of bells over all |
the town announced noon Two hours
had slipped by. Not word of practical |
business had been spoken, and, before l |
could introduce it, Twain arose and |
took" me into the house see some
studies illustrating the points criticised. |
won't take long, he assured me, with
: kind consideration for my natural
assse, to say nothing of hunger "a friend
.pscted me to dinner, but this oppor-
dizzy" sy could not wait ON friendship nor
and n' Twain bounced into his study
and to- aeed large folio of engravings
former M psoceeded to compare the
pectus. I. ~ we samples in my pros
and pleasur. re. -. 70 partake of his interest
this msn a .na I'll. really shared them. In
went b. ns another mortal !, two VOL. hours
on the increase, and II. ..a hunger were
Keeping my engagement . !, between
waiting for the coveted % dinner and
81 sun 1' shape in my mind s',ss,,p'ion as 8.
70 following the movements. :. !. eyes fell
hand when it neared the t1s.n Tyain's
subscription pages with IS ank
akin, distantly, to that of Mep,,.."s laty
while drawing Faust step By a. acs s'es
the fatal compact Unlike Faust. ~
eysr. Twain didn't sign. BE laia
oook On writing-tsble and turned % Z. |
open window, stroking his chin IN thst
cool. provoking style which eljan to In
NE trademark, thinking, probably
waes nexf e d 70 forward tAsjoan. Il
M Juncture seune one suslf 6Sa6d Nm