The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-10
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shrougA the lawns aud shruhhery, hy which brief tganslt you pass from old New 1 England to modern AmeEica--from the plain quarters of ethical Rcsion to che luxurious abode of the most western of humoyists lt is not difficult to trace, however, the essential kinShip between Sam Lawsonn of "Old-towu Tolks and the equally quaint aud shrewd but more expansive drolleEy Of "MaEk Twain;" and on the other hand, these who sec much of this author Tn private discover in him fund of serious refec- ton and of keen observation upon many subjects that gives him another element In common with his neighhor. The lit- erary group in this neighborhood do not seem to fancy giving names to their houses; they are content with the arish- metical designation. No, my house has not got any name," said Mir. Clemens, in answer to a question. |" It has a nun. Der, but have never been able to remena- Der what it is." No number, in fact, ap- pears on gate or door; but the chances arc that if stranger were to step into any shop on the business sueetS he could at once obtain an accurate direction to the spot. And a charming haunt it Is, | Wttu itS WtuC uatAs uutAuCA th Na& WOuu under panelled ceiling, and full ot easy chairs, rugs, cushions, and carved furni- ture that instantly invite the guest to lounge in iron, of the big fireplace. But 1t is house made for hospitality, and one cannot stop at that point. Over the fireplace, through large plate-glass suggesting "Alice's Adventures" a glimpse is had of tho drawing-ro n, luminous with white and silver and pale blue and on another side, between broad flight of stairs and chiselled Gin- evva chest drawn against the wall. the al- ways open library door attracts ones steps. There is more dark wood. work in the library, including a very elaborate panel rising above the mantel to the ceiling. This was brought from abroad. and in other portions of the house are other pieces representing the sposls Of European tours ; one in particular recall, covered with garlands and with plump cherubs that spring forth in plastic TO- tundity, aud chamber along the edges. But it adds to the pleasureab blcness of the home that all the cherubs in it are not carved. A genial atmosphere, too, per- vades the house, which Is warmed by wood fires, furnace, and the authors immense circulation. One would, nat urally, in such place expect to find some perfection of study, and that has indeed been provided, but the unconventional genius of the author could not reconcile itseli to surrounding the charms of which distracted his attention. The study remains, it's deep window giving seduc- tive outlook above the library, but Mir. Clemens goes elsewhere. Pointing to a large divan extending along the two sides of a righi.angled corner, That was a good idea" he said, which got from something l saw in Syrian monastery but found 1t was much more comfort able to lie there aud smoke than to stay at my desk. And then these windows-l was constantly getting up to look at the view; and when one of our beautiful heavy snow-falls came in winter, couldn't do anything at all except gaze at it." So he has moved still higher upstairs into the billiard room, and there writes at a table placed in such wise that he can sec nothing but the wall in front of him and cou ole of shelves Of books. Before adopting this expedient he had tried room which he caused to be fitted up with plain pine sheathing on the upper floor of his stable; but that had serious disadvantages, and even the billiard room failing to meet the requirements in some emergencies, he has lately resorted to hiring an office in a commercial build ing in the heart Of the city.
 | About four months in the year." said he, "is the time when expect to do my work, during the summer vacation, when l am of on the farm at Elmira. Yes," he continued, when expressed surprise, "f can write better in hot weather. And, besides, must be free from all other in. terests and occupations. find 1t neces- sarv, when have begun anything, to keep steadily at 1t, without changing my ideas after each days writing must be in the same place that began 1t in, or else 1t becomes very difficult"
 But nothing, apparently, interrupts the spontaneous flow of his humor in daily life l. is the same in kind with tha, of his books, though incidental and less elab- crate. it is unpreme ditAted, and always I unexpected. lie never takes what may be termed an obvious and conventional witty view, yet neither is there any strain ing for new form of jest; the novelty comes of itself. Moreover, unlike cer- tain wits whose quality is genuine, bat whose reputation becomes burden to them, he appears to be indifferent whesh- CT he ever cracks another joke, and thus lulls his companions into delusive se- curity, only to take them unawares with some new and telling shot. There is less exaggeraiion in woat he says thar :s what he writes; but the essence of his fun lies in that grave assumption of absurdi- ties as solid and reasonable facts with which we are familiar in his works. By reverse pyocess, when talking to a serious point, or narratipg some exper- fence not especially ludicrous in itself, there is 2 lingering snspicion of humor- ous possibilities in his manner, which,