The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-28
MARK TwAIN's TENETs..
HIS Views on POIitics-The Inconven.
fence of Having n Coascience-ReIig-
ions Recreation
Boston Globe.f

fence of Having n Conscience-ReIfg.
iOus Recreation.
Boston Globe.I
While the well known humorist Mark
Twain, was stopping at the Parker house
recently. reporter of the Globe called on
him with no particular object in view.
After being shown into room 1885, several
moments elapsed before the author of the
"Innocents Abroad" became aware of his
presence. Mr. Twain was seen to be seated
in large easy chair, with Boston paper
before him, smoking a cigar. Finally the
porter who accompanied the reporter in
question handed Mr.. Twain the latter's card
and Mr. Twain Immediately whirled his
chair around, told the pleasant faced porter
to withdraw from the room, and asked his
caller to be seated. You see for yourself"
said Mr.. Twain, putting away at his cigar,
that I'm pretty near heaven-not theologi-
cally, of course, but by the hotel standard"
Your room is rather high up, Mr.. Twain,
but it appears very cosey. There is an ele-
vator, believe, is there not?"
Mr.. Twain-Doubtless there is; all first
class hotels manage to have elevators. The
fact is, l detest elevators, and I'm not
ashamed to own it.
R--Then you like walking,
Mr.. Twain-Much better. | do my own
walking and talking and write my own
books, which is more than every one can
say.
R.-You don't believe in plagiarizing,
then?
Mr.. Twain-No, sir; L never plagiarize-
unless / can do it successfully.
R-Do understand that you ever have
done it?
Mr.. Twain-No, sir; but that was prob
ably because l wasn't successful at it.
R.-Do you believe everything that you
related in "Innocents hbroad2'
Mr.. Twain-Absolutely everything.
R.-Do you think the public in general
do?
Mr.. Twain.-Of course; why should they
not? / related everything as | saw il.
RIFF you remember rightly you mention
in "Innocents Abroad" that when you went
into hairdressers in Paris to get shaved,
he loosened your "hide" and lifted you out
of the chair. Is that a correct statement,
Mr.. Twain?
Mr. Twain-Certainly, correct to the chair;
but you must remember that Statements
don't amount to much in any country-but
particularly in this country.
R--But you believe in them, neverthe-
less?
Mr.. Twain-Not even if they have the
official mark. have been trying to believe
in the statements which have been sent
from Washington from time to time, but
can't make up my mind. l must tell you
right here that my digestion is not so good
formerly.
R.-May ask you what you think Of
President Hayes's cabinet.
Mr.. Twain-It appears to me that he has
made excellent selections; probably if
knew the men he has chosen intimately
might think right to the contrary.
Rim that case i should think that you
would eulogize them all the more.
Mr.. Twain never eulOgize except when
don't know person. 1t seems to me the
safest way is to eulogize person you don't
know:
R.-May ask what is your politics, Mr..
Twain?
Mr.. Twain am neither a republican or
democrat for any length of time. Vacilla-
ton is my particular forte. During the last
election, when the country thought Tilden
would surely be elected president. 1 was a
strong Tildenite; but as soon as l discovered
that everything was against him, / was
strong in my support for Hayes
R.-Mr. Twain do infer from what you
have just said that you voted for both men7
Mr.. Twain-Why, of course; no one recog-
nized me. did all my voting in New York.
l wasn't tolerated in Hartford; as soon as
the people discovered that was exerting all
my strength for Hayes, they advised me
kindly to leave the state. went immediate
~ to New York city and cast my vote for
Tilden. And yet people call this repub-
licl
R-May / ask what you are now po-
itically, Mr.. Twain?
Mr.. Twain-Politics have completely died
out within me. They don't take to me or
to them. Since have come in possession of
a conscience l begin to see through things.
R.-Then you have not had a conscience
until lately?
Mr.. Twain-No, sir; it is only recently
that have discovered it. 1t doesn't prove
so great blessing as | supposed it would.
Only day or TWO ago exhausted my second
deposit at the bank.
RI don't quite understand what you
mean.
Mr.. Twain-Why, simply this: Every one
who knows that l have a conscience takes
me now for philanthropist.
R.-Mr. Twain, do you refer to bad debts?
Mr.. Twain-Exactly; or, rather, L may say
that they are hotel bills, which l thought
were cancelled years ago. As l told you a
few moments ago, since / discovered that 1
had a conscience / begin to see the right and
wrong of things.
R.-Do you like Boston, Mr. Twain i?
Mr.. Twain-Very we'll; but there seems to
be good many issues floating about here;
but suppose this is peculiar to the city
am going to the Tabernacle this evening
R-Are you going merely out of curiosity,
or are you going because your conscience
says you must
Mr.. Twain-rm going for mere recrea-
ton. Religion oftentimes soothes the mind
and eases the conscience even if it doesn't
penetrate deep into the memory. But I
can't talk any more with you to day. / have
already said too much Pm afraid, so good
by.