The Detroit times., 1910-04-22

10 his honor colts receivers being the
only available weapons. Twain sought
out he proposed dueling grounds for
practice. eNpending an enormous
amount OF ammunition and hitting
everything but the mark. AT the ap.
pointed hour OF the meeting Mark was
taking last practice shot when a
luCkless bird Collided with a random
bullet Laird. rom afar on. saw the
decapitated bird In its fall 10 the
ground. and lost no time making the
apologies necessary TO the abandon
The authorities. however. were not
satisfied. ana determined To make an
example OF those who broke the law
forbidding the acceptance ~ duel
challenge As result. Mark Twain
and the consp!rators Were hustled
across the border into California
firing of his berth as city editor OF
the San Francisco Call. Mark Twain
penetrated the Sierras in search OF gold.
but being inapt a. prospector. he
the sacramento Union. arriving Just
IN time 70 report the sensational burn
ing OF the clipper Hornet. which was
his first real scoop.
After months stay Ne returned
20 California and Joined the Quaker
City excursion 60 the Holy Land as
representative OF Alta. California on
this. one OF the hrst personal con p
Quoted world tours. Mark Twain OBJ
tanned the material which found It's
,vaV into "InnOcents Abroad his FIRST
real Introduction To the world Of liter.
ature Another fateful influence upon
his life was furnished by the Quaker
CITY excursion through his meeting
Miss Olivia l.. Langdon. OF Elmira. y
Y In 1870 they were married. and
throughout one OF the most ideal mari
tai relationships recorded IN history.
four children. were born To them. lang
don son, came in~1N10 and died IN
1872 Susan Olivia born in the latter
year lived 10 be 24-long enough so
develop extraordinary mental powers
"a nd At %
daughters Clara and Jean, We're born
in 1874 and 1850 respectively. Jean
1909 Clara IS the wife OF Ossip Ga
hrilowitsoh the Russian pianist
At the outset OF his career as man
OF family. Mark Twain acquired an in
.terest In the Buffalo Express. but soon
retired to the more remuneratiVe held
OF free lance literary efforts.
Henceforth Mark Twain added stead
ily to his international literary. fame:
His important works and their date OF
apr earance follow
@Roushing IT," in 1871 "Gilded Age"
"skctches." in ISL: Tramp Abroad
IN 1880, Prince and Pauper," In 1883;
Life on the Mississippi. In 1888,
"HuckIeberry Finn" In 1855. Library
Kfrg Arthur's Court" in 1899
lie founded the publishing firm 81 OF
was disastrous Undertaking Through
the business depression OF 1894 the
firm failed. and Mark Twain. At that
time rated a wealthy man. assumed his
debts, though IL swept away his Tor
tune and left an Indebtedness OF $780,
600. which We paid In full
In the midst OF his struggle TO re-
coup mis- fortunes came the death or
his wife in 1905. This loss was per
haps the most serious blow OF his life.
lie was heart broken and almost pros
tTated. but laid aside his grief long
enough - pay her this tribute:
Her character and disposition We're
~ the sort that not only invites wor-
ship. but commands IL.
Since the death OF his wife and the
~ his daughter Clara. Mark
Twain had shown the remarkable men
tai poise and fortitude that seldom
ettftfes-tts-4 -a-s-ls tanning L0Ece-
His daughter Jean became has sole
and assistant, Until tue
time Of her death they lived " the
near ReddinR. Conn. named after tapt.
StOrmneld HON Mark Twain sent on
a visit 20 heaven.
This home. whose architecture bears
the impress 90 us owners personality,
grew 90 be the mecca OF literary IDOLS
from the four quarters or the Elobe,
as well rs the shrine ~ every STRIVING
student Here came also the wealthy
and the POOR the actor and the art-
san the hunter and the artist The
was infinite. and the nigh-
oors found a welcome always.
IL was IN tire librcry OF this home
IN his sevcntieth birthday that samuel
7. Clemens interviewed Mark Twain
FOR the enlightenment Of Gis friends
throughout the world. That the pro-
ress was unique dctracted not "a whit
from the revelation Of his private ma
ture lie admitted that II had been
his desire 20 be handsome
II am 80 | was made. said he. This
Is = disaster which I cannot help
Many people think am happy
man. but / am not, IL Is because my
portraits do rue Justice ] have nigh
is organized and sensitive constitution
and an educated taste IN esthetics and
cannot abide a portrait which IL too
do the artist no harm.
I have never done him any harm, yet
he always exercises this wanton and
rankness upon my portrait
| should like 90 he drawn once before
reach 20 again. az ] should look II
J nd been made right instead or care
!essiv
little moro than year ago Mark
rW8tn WIS criticized for smoking a
cigar while waiting Tor the final Cere-
mOny coufrrriug upon him the doctors
degree ut oxford. Eng. one. more
radical than the rest referred To this
ntldent a. proof % Mark Twain's de-
teriorutiUg rNaract ter.
The doctor has the best % me this
time" was The authors amlable reply
hat be cannot attribute all my crimes
pUd mtsdcm anors 20 Tho excessive use
81 tobacco There are about 40 other
causes aud tobacco VIII have 10 bear
only one .fortieth part 81 the blame ~
Last year Mark Twain appeared az
auast OF honor Of the New York post