The Washington herald., 1922-11-19
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one Of my tours Of inspection.
had told It In a speech, and It
had been generally copied in the
American newspapers. Mark
Twain's reputation as the greatest
living humorist caused that crowd
to doubt the originality Of my
stories.
TWAIN'S CIGAR STORY.
Mark had declined the cigars.
but the prince was SO delighted
that he Offered him one Of the
highly priced selection from his
own case. This drew from him
a story. which have not seen
in any Of his books. I have read
Mark Twain always with the
greatest pleasure. His books of
travel have been to me a source
of endless interest, and his Per
sonal Recollections of Joan Of
Arc" is the best representation Of
the saint and heroine that l know.
When the prince offered him
the cigar, Mark said: mo, prince,
l never smoke. i have the repu-
tation in Hartford, Conn.,, of fur
nishing my entertainments the
worst o. cigars. When was
going abroad. and as I would be
away for several years, I gave
q reception and invited all my
friends. l had the governor of
the State Of Connecticut and the
judges Of the highest courts. and
the most distinguished members
of the legislature. I had the lead
ing clergymen and other citizens.
and also the president and faculty
of Yale University and Trinity
College.
AT o'clock in the afternoon
my butler. who is a colored man.
Pompey by name, came to me and
said: Mr.. Clemens. we have no
cigars. Just then peddler's
wagon stopped at the gate. In
England they call them cheap
jacks. hailed the merchant and
said: whit have you in your
wagon?' Well he answered. I
have some Gobelin tapestries,
Serves china. and japanese
cloisonne vases. and a few old
masters Then I said to him: I
do not want any Of those, but
have you cigars. and how much?'
The peddler answered: Yes. sir, I
have some excellent cigars. which
will sell you at IL cents a barrel
have to explain that a cent is
an English farthing. Then 1 told
him to roll a barrel in"
A GREAT OCCASION.
ut was a great occasion, one of
lhs graetest we ever had in the
old State Of Connecticut" contin-
ued Mark. "but I noticed that the
guests left unusually early after
supper. The next morning 1 asked
the butler why they left so early.
Well he said, Mr.. Clemens,
everybody enjoyed the supper, and
they were all having a good time
until 1 gave them the cigars.
After the gentleman had taken
three puffs, he said: "Pomp, you
internal niger, get me my hat
and coat quick" When l went
out, my stone walk, which was
100 yards long from the front door
to the gate. was just paved with
those cigars" This specimen of
American exaggeration told in
Mark Twain's original way made a
great hit.
l met Mark Twain at a the
atrical supper in London given by
Sir Henry Irving. 1t was just
after his publishing firm had failed
so disastrously. 1t was a notable
company Of men Of letters, play
wrights. and artists. Poor Mark
was broken in health and spirits.
He tried to make a speech, and a
humorous one. but it saddened the
whole company.
1 met him again after he had
made the money on his remarkable
lecture tour around the world,
with which he met and paid all his
debts. 1t was an achievement
worthy Of the famous effort of Sir
Walter Scott. Jubilant, trium.
phant. and free. Mark Twain that
night was the hero never forgotten
by anyone privileged to be present.
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