Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-10-14
THEN SHE DECLINED:
Love Passage From the Life of Mark Twain


When Mark Twain was a reporter on
the San Francisco Morning Call, says the
Virginia New Enterprise. he was at
one time not little fond of a certain
young lady of the "Bay City" This
young lady was not only very beautiful
but also a brilliant conversatlonalist
very ambitious and something of a fiirt
Marks droll stories and crisp satiricaI
remarks on men and things pleased and
amused the young lady, and she was fond
of his company, but as his financial prog
poets were not at that time very brilliant
she carefully guarded her heart. While
evidently much pleased with Mark and
greatly enjoying his society, the young
lady at times exhibited a restlessness
and her eyes frequently wandered to-
ward groups in which we're men of re-
puted wealth; that when recalled to a
consciousness of his presence the little
start she gave and momentary bewilder-
ment she exhibited showed her thoughts
to have been far away.
As time passed, these fits of absent
mindedness in his company, Increased
rather than diminished, and at length it
became painfully apparent to Mark that
the young lady's thoughts were more aud
more passing away from and reaching
out beyond him. True, they seemed to
be fixed on no particular object, but that
made him none the less uneasy.
Matters stood thus between Mark and
his love, when a brilliant ball was given
in Oakland. Early in the evening, while
Malk was IN the midst of one of his most
brilliant conversational flights, the eyes
of the young lady fell upon a gentleman
fashionably dressed, and of decidedly
distinguished appearance and courtly
manner.
so, Mr.. Clemens!" cried the young
lady. interrupting and cutting IN two
enc of Marks most brilliant sentences,
"who is that very elegant gentleman
standing by that large vase of flowers,
just across the room2 Do you know
him2 What fine diamond sparkles in
his shirt frontr'
Mark turned his eyes upon the person
pointed out. He knew him. He knew
he was an officer of British man. ot-war
that had arrived at San Francisco a week
before. He knew this as he had been
in his capacity of reporter.
II have never seen the man before"
said Mark, in the most truthful tone. 'but
he is certainly gentleman of distinc-
ton"
II am quite sure of it." said the young
lady. "Who can it be?"
Mark saw that his fair friend had now
neither eyes nor thoughts Tor any one
but the gentleman whose fine air and fig
ure had just captured her fancy, and he
felt cut to the heart, but pretended to be
greatly pleased with and interested in
the stranger.
II can ne doubt easily ascertain who
he is" and, if you would like it, will
manage to have him introduced to you
in few minutes"
"Thank you, would be much obliged.
He really seems person worth know
ing" and the eyes of the ambitious young
lady sparkled with pleasure.
Mark sauntered off among his gentle
men acquaintances, and after being seen
in conversation with them for a short
time, returned to his Dulcinea with ra-
diant face.
II have found out who he is," said
Mark; "he is spoken of as being a very
good sort ofa fellow-a little foppish, per-
haps, but all right in other respects.
There will he no trouble about the in
PRODUCTION. l have it all arranged with
Joe Lawrence. and will bring hlm around
whenever it is your pleasure"
"Thank you! thank you! But, Mr..
Clemens, you have not yet told me who
he is"
30 true enough said Mark, ''true
enoughl Well, he is a barber from San
Jose, and his name is Blifklns-
BlivenG-Blitters- -Blaxter bless mei I
believe have forgotten his name al
ready; but I'll find out-I'll go right
away and find out. They say he owns
the leading barber shop-tonsorial bou-
doir, they call tin San Jose, and is
we'll off-qulte rich. He seems quite
above his position in life, and am sure
he is worth knowing" said Mark, quite
enthusiastically--"I'll manage the intro
duction."
"Ne; never mind. After all, he is
doubtless ridiculous creature-indeed
I am sure OF it, or he would not be wear
ing that great paste pin in his shirt. front.
How he could have the impudence to
come here cannot understand, }" and the
nose of that young lady was for a mo-
ment tossed aloft.
During the remainder of the evening
Mark found no difficulty in holding the
attention of his fair companion, and when
he observed the care she took to avoid
the touch or even the look of the 'sbar-
Der frsn San Jose" he felt like going in
to corner and hugging himself for his