New-York tribune., 1897-08-06
A TALK WITH MAJOR POND.
HE TELLS OF CONVERSATION WITH
MARK TWAIN ABROAD. AND DE-
CLAREs THE LATTER IS IN
EXCELLENT HEALTH


Major J. B. Pond returned to this country from
England last Saturday. having been abroad to
make plans for the appearance OF his several ect.
urers on the American platform the coming sea-
son. To Tribune reporter yesterday he spoke
interestingly OF his trip and the well-known meh
with whom he talked. Major Pond called on his
old friend. Mark Twain. whom various newspapers
nave had broken In health and weighed down BY
poverty.
MARK Twain looked the picture OF health" said
the MAJOR, and do not think he has been In bet.
ter health for years Mr. and Mrs Clemens have
been around the world he lecturing In Australia.
New-Zealand. India and South Africa and having
written a book OF thousand pages He has
worked faithfully at his desk eight hours day
every day since last August, and has no one
except his publishers and his friend. Henry NJ
Stanley, with whom he has visited the House Of
Parliament three or four times
Mark Is delightfully."- situated IN a very pleasant
English home In Chelsea. overlooking one OF those
beautiful squares which the lights and lungs Of
London
1 suppose you have heard that I am dying In
poverty he said when had greeted him.
Yes. all sorts of things-that you are wretch.
edly poor and all used up-but those who know you
long as can work. but / would like to give soms
pointer. There's Crockett. I'm told he is making
bSRey than and WOW oy1 M h. he's ns Noble fellow
for his writings Of any author and that he's only
money he wants Now I'd I'd ike 10 advise such is
young men to be satisfied with enough. and not at.
lose 1t all It's probably all right for man OF
thirty or thirty-fve TO get setback. for at that
be about sixty and finds his fortune blown into
some "ld scheme where there L. no hope OF re-
covering IT, tell you It's mighty hard to begin
Look here" he went on heres a story worth
laughing at. II | were in condition to smile at
absurdities. A young fellow "a reporterl called the
other day end and showed me memorandum o. in.
Twain Is dying In poverty send Ave hundred words.
II he has died in poverty send one thousand
While was sitting in Marks den card was
handed TO him; 1t was an officer OF Her Majesty
an under sheriff. Mark met him in the hall and
asked him in The official apologized in every pos
sos manner name for being Obliged to intrude espe;
that the family was IN great bereavement. but he
was In the service OF Her Majesty. etc. Pleas:
%sts %sts no excuses What IS your business asked
Yes; sir; | rent this house from Mrs. - She Is
- Have you paid her your rent? Yes said
Mark, 1 have re ited this house until July 3. and
have paid the rent. AID have the receipt In full
O., >" .0h! How very unfortunate, said the Under.
taxes. amounting 10 q ss sisd are long past due.
any property on the premises to satisfy Her Mates:
ty How soon does this seizure take place? asked
L am to give ten days notice Of the sale said
He, Majesty's officer. Well said Mark I own
this house and its belongings until July next. I
am not Her Majesty's subject. but citizen OF tho
United States. If you attempt to disturb me or
seize any Of my property, will notify our Amer-
can Ambassador. Mr.. John Hay advise you to
have care
az beg your pardon, sir will refer your state
ment to my superior officer. and let you know
his reply
The Under Sheriff to Her Majesty took the mat:
very seriously and went away. After he had
gone Mark said: oh. / wish | were In condition
TO laugh. This Is too funny TO lose. Now. II that
does seize this property and sell II for taxes
be. Mark Twain VINO dying in poverty after
ward reported living in luxury. Is being sold out
by the Sheriff in London Later the landlady paid
her taxes"
In October. Major Pond said Anthony Hope vii
come this country to give course Of hfty lect-
readings. most OF which Will be from his
works. Mr. Hope Is fine speaker said the
Major. Gle has been a Member or Parliament and
a London Alderman, and he Is one OF the most pop-
ular afterdnner speakers In London. Beatrice Her
ford is also coming 10 this country in the fail 20
lecture. | visited Mr. Crockett. and found him 50
busy that he could not ill the orders he has for
his work But for all that he finds time COR golf.
at which he IL an expert. visited Ian Maclaren.
"Recessional" Tney are saying over there that he
is the real poet laureate OF England
II visited. too. Henry NJ Stanley. who Is In
splendid health and occupies his seat In the House
OF Parliament whenever that body Is In session.
the Dean of Rochester and his wonderful roses.
and ! was the guest Of Sir Edwin Arnold at the
Jubilee procession"