The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-07
DOCTOR CLEMENS AT
THE UNIVERSITY CLUB.

II Mark Twain-Doctor Samuel Clemens
was humorous at Hannibal, funny at Co
lumbia and comical at the st. Louis Club.
then he was certainly excruciating at the
University Club last night. for no other
man ever caused az many laughs in 50
Mark during his brief address to the mem
bers OF that institution.
As q mOnologUe artist Doctor Clemens
demonstrated his ability last night and IL
the emitted opinion of the University Club
members counts for anything Lew Dock
stader and Ezra Kendall are not to be COM
pared with the famous Missourian. Ger
tain ii is that no matter how high Mark
Twain's stock as laugh-provoker has
climbed since his recent arrival In this part
of the country 1t went higher than ever
last night.
From the moment the distinguished visit
or began to speak until he resumed his
chair there & continuous uproar of
laughter from his hearers. broken only
when the speaker lapsed off into pathetic
"reminiscences OF his visit to Hannibal, his
boyhoOd home.
About a hundred gentlemen were present,
among them some OF the foremost business
and professional men Of the city. including
Mayor Wells. The reception TO Doctor
Clemens was strictly informal, beginning in
the parors on the second floor OF the spa
cious clubhouse where the honored guest
was introduced to and shook hands with
the club members and winding up in the
dining downstairs. where ne made his
talk
In Introducing the author OF Tom
Sawyer Doctor David S: II. Smith, presi-
dent of the club. SAID: We have with Us
this evening one who knows none Of US, yet
who is known and loved by US all"
The introduction was followed by the
that ever greeted the announcement Of
speaker. Taking a final pun at his cigar,
Doctor Clemens arose from his seat while
the ovation was at its height, and. after
carefully placing his cigar on the edge of
the table before him. he waited for the ap-
pIause to subsidc. and then began talking
in his usual slow manner.
And that is a man who understands the
courtesies of life" said he. referring to
Doctor Smith. There is a man who real
izes the propriety and dignity of honor. He
called me doctor. There are many who do
not know that when q man is made a doc
tor he has accomplished more than his less
when the person thus hOnored does not have
to work for the distinction.
Just look what advantage have OBJ
tanned through being made a doctor: Here
am guest Of university club. and sure
ly no person Of ignorance could be likewise
hcnored. I don't wish to be called mister
ing WIFI only be causing me unnecessary
suffering and modification. Now thE:
as such. and IL people don't call me Doc
there's going to be coolnesS.
This has been the most satisfactory week
that it is our experience that joy and sad
ness succeed each other, CHere the speaker
bal and the boyhood days which he lived
over again while in that town.
Later he said good many humorous
things, and concluded with: Nothing else
occurs for me to say Just now. though I
have often said things which did not occur
to me. / cannot think of anything else to
brag about myself, so will relieve and re-
lease you"
The speaker resumed his seat amid deaf
ening applause.
Isaac H. Lionberger was then called upon
to speak and in most glowing terms he
eulogized the guest Of the evening. thereby
expressing the sentiment Of all present.