St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-02-22
How Mark Twain Won His Wife,
San Francisco Call.

San Francisco Call.
The turning point in Mr.. Clemens
life was made in 1868, when be went tt
the Holy Land with the excursionist!
on the steamer Quaker City. He had
been in New York but short time, act.
ing as correspondent for the Alta. when
the opportunity occurred to make this
trip, which proved eventually to be the
most fortunate one for our Bohemian,
The preprietors had been paying so
much per letter, in which Mr.. Clemens
served up New York in a serio-comic
way, when they were astonished to re-
ceive an urgent request to advance 81 300
to enable him to 60 abroad with the
lnnocents 1.-THE consideration for this
to be correspondence from points of inter-
est visited. He wrote five or six letters
during the same voyage. After little
hesitation, natural, under such circum~
stances, Mr.. Clemens request was
granted, and he joined the excursionists.
To the moral and religious people who
made up the patty, his presence was IN
desirable, for he still carried his mining
manners with him, and spoke the Washoe
vernacular. It happened among the
passengers there was an old gentleman
from Elmira, N. Y, named Langdon,
who was accompanied by his son, mere
boy, and daughter. This boy conceived
sort of friendship for Mr.. Clemens, and
associated with him almost constantly.
He introduced his friend to his sister.
Miss Olivia L. Langdon. and we may
add, to his fate. The old gentleman
fought rather shy of the Washoe Bohe>
mian's society, but the youngslady looked
on him kindly, and the light Of her eyes
purified his life. It was case of love at
first sight as far as Mr. Clemens was con-
cerned, and the influence of the feeling
was most beneficial. He began to live
clearly in moral sense, abandoned cards
and gambling and drink, and gave up
scofing at the religious opinions OF his
fellow, passengers. He wanted to find |
grace with the lady of his love and her
father. Before the voyage was over he
asked Mr.. Langdon for Olivia, and the
refusal he received chilled but did not
him. He simply told the
somewhat indignant parent that he could
wait, but he was determined to marry
bis daughter. Tt was said of John Fos-
ter, the English writer, and at one time
editor of the London Examiner, that his
love letters were the most remarkable
ever penned, because they were written
1T the instigation of a young lady whom
he wished to make his wife, but who,
his habitual Incidence, and at
The same time his great talent, refused
% listen to his addresses till he had dis
;inguished himself. He did 80, and won
/ bride that was proud of him. Mr..
Clemens case is hardly parallel to this,
put is similar in some respects. We
;hink his 1nnocents Abroad" was q
abor OF love in degree. 1t made him
amous as humorous writer, and while
Ill the world was talking about him and
lis book he came to Elmira, acconpan-
ed by an editorial friend from CIeve>!
and, and again renewed his suit for
Misc Langdon's hand. This time the old
nan listened with more compIacency. {
The yound lady's brother pleaded for
Clemens, aud his Cleveland friend, who
NEW Mr.. Langdon well, also advocated
lis claims. But more powerful plesders
han all of these was the young lady's
leart, and for her father, the evidences
# capacity Mr.. Clemens had given, and
.lso of reformation of life. A family
Meeting was held, and into its charmed
ircle the expectant bridegroom gladly :
topped.