The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-09-06

George Gregory Smith, a wealthy
American scientist, who has resided
in Florence, Italy, for the last six
years, has returned to America with
some anecdotes for his fellow So
journer, Mark Twain, which show
the cheeriness of that distinguished
citizens disposition, despite the try
ing ordeal to which he was subjected
in the loss of his wife a month or
more ago.
Smith and Twain are friends of
years standing, and the latter made
arrangements for the humorist's stay
in the historic city last November,
when he arrived with his wife and
daughters. Not only was Mrs Glenn
ems i'll, but Mark Twain too, was suf-
fering from bronchitis.
"You mustn't smoke too much,
Mr.. Clemens" he was admonished
by his physician, DIR. Kiersch, says
Mr. Smith
How can II" came the ready re-
Spouse from the famous patient, "as
there are only "a hours in day"
Mark Twain had hardly arrived
before he asked me to recommend a
brand of cigars. l suggested the
Branca. | explained that l consid-
cred it good although its price was
five for a nickel After he had smok-
ed one he said, Smith, that cigar Is
like altar of roses or violet water
the only valuable thing about it is
the cent
The Italian language. which he
knew very imperfectly, afforded him
rare amusement. So did various of
the Italian customs. One thing that
made an instant impression on him
was the color of the overeoats worn
by the contadini or farmers deep
orange-they made a fiaring picture
g These contadini look like they
have just come up from He'll and
haven't had time to cool off, he re-
marked on his first,impression. This
was translated into eItalian and the
natives, who have splendid sense of
humor, enjoyed the joke immensely
Mark Twain WAS soon idolized by
the Italians. Occasionally he gave
readings, but the greater part of his
time was spent in his beautiful villa,
the Villa di Quarto. / leased that
via III him. anu DOliCtlinGS L nave
wished / hadn't, as it proved only
an added burden TO thim, l am sure.
1t is about three and a half miles
from Florence toward Pistoia, and is
surrounded by park of about two
acres. The owner happened to be
a countess.
"Humorists have often written of
the spite and officiousness of the
land lady, but Mark Twain can now
do so with impunity and with an
excellent knowledge of actual ex-
tremes. When the family moved in
to the villa the countess asked Mark
to take her fatore, or agent, as a sort
of manager for the estate. Mark did
not want him and told the countess
so. Then his troubles began.
During the night huge rocks APP
peared in the driveways of the park
making 1t impossible for his daugh-
ters to drive or ride with any pleas
ure. AS fast as they were removed
they were rolled back. He applied
for telephone. Some occult infu-
ence held up the application for three
weeks. One day Mark Twain was in
formed that the water wouldn't run
He made an examination and found
that it had been shut Off A day later
he was informed that he was going
to be proceeded against in the courts
and be compelled to move on account
of the unsanitary conditions of the
premises in the absence of water
But Mark Twain stuck.
by this time the countess came
out in the open in her desperation
and told her tenant that she would
put every possible inconvenience in
his way until he surrendered his
lease. Later he learned that she did
go to the little church and asked the
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