New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-25

ANYTHING but homely and racy In his
habit. He had to make jokes or ne
couldn't have gone on breathing OUT
Mr.. Paine well brings out the graVer
traits that were in him. One shrinKs
from emphasizing a phase OF the mat
ter 90 peculiarly personal, yet one can
not help dwelling upon the tenderness
which comes to the surface whenever
he thinks Of his wife-and ne was III
WAYS thinking OF her. To tease her
gently gave him a fearful JOY. once III
Vienna. a reporter called when the
author was writing in bed. "fouth'
called Mrs. Clemens. don't you 'iiiiih
il will he a little embarrassing FOR hiin
vour being in bed?" The reporter could
lust catch the drawing reply: WY
Livy. If YOU think so we might nave
the other bed made up for him Never
could he resist the temptation TOT these
affectionate drolleries. But beneath all
his nonsense there is no mistahing MS
anguish when Mrs. Clemens is i'll. Per-
haps the most touching passage in TINS
biography is the following, from let
ter 10 the Rev. Joseph Twichell:
am 70 see Bvy moment every attcr,,
noon until she has another bad nlght' ai.u
1 stand in dread for with ali my pracuoT
( realize that in eudden cmergchcg !
am but a poor, clumsy liar, whereas =; o.
fine alert and capable emergency iIai =
the only sort that is worth anythinS IN
Now j5e. lust see what reputation can
10 All Clara's life che has toid ~ ~
the truth, and now the reward cg'.,n,
clara lies 10 her three and halt houl3
every day. and Livy takes IL al AZ PAL
whereas even when I tell her a trIth IL
isn't worth much without corrobofa-
soon my brief visit ~ 'duc. I've Just
bcgn up listening at Livy's door.
: 4. MA great disappointment. was
sitting outside TIvy'g door waiting. IIH' d
came ont minute ago ana salu i't
not so we'll ana the nurse can let IH'
see her to-day.
There are times. innumerable times
when Mark Twain, as Mr.. Pam" por-
trays him, Is sheerlv and inimitably
funny. There il his profanity Tor
which he was famous. \ Western
comrade who once found him about 10
shoot n dog advised him 20 Kill the
beast by swearing at IL instead. and
Mark Twain then let go SUCH
scorching. singing blast that the
hrute's owner sold him next day for
Mexican hairless dog" No one but
Mark Twain could have thought OF
saving to tho father in-law who had
Just presented him and his wife with
handsome homo: Mr.. Langdcn, when
ever YOU are in Buffalo, II it's twice
year. come right here. Bring your bag
aud stay overnight II you want to. IL
shan't cost you a cent" When nc
called for the first time on General
Grant the latter, for moment, had
nothing 10 say. General" Mark at
last said, II seem 10 be little cmbar-
rassed. Are your We might so on
citing Illustrations of his Fun indet-
niiclv And We might borrow. too
from Mir Paine. stories of deeper
cast. showing his beguiling way with
children. his tcnacity in friendship. his
occasional vigorous excursions hto con
troyersy. and. by way OF contrast to
his efficiency in ordinary matters his
quite amazing incapacity for business.
But In the pel-meli Of his qualities tho
light that shines steadiest and longest
IS that, liz in his heart, which We see In
the letter TO Twichell just quoted.
Mr.. Palne's labor Of love has been dcdi-
Gated 20 all that was gentle and kindly
IN Mark Twain. The effect OF his book
will be to heghten appreciation Of his
Frinud'q character