ByAlbertBigelowPaineVOLUMEI，Part1：1835—1866

MARKTWAIN

ABIOGRAPHY

THEPERSONALANDLITERARYLIFEOF

SAMUELLANGHORNECLEMENS

BY

ALBERTBIGELOWPAINE

TO

CLARACLEMENSGABRILOWITSCH

WHOSTEADILYUPHELDTHE

AUTHOR’SPURPOSETOWRITE

HISTORYRATHERTHANEULOGYAS

THESTORYOFHERFATHER’SLIFE

ANACKNOWLEDGMENT

DearWilliamDeanHowells，JosephHopkinsTwichell，JosephT。Goodman，andotheroldfriendsofMarkTwain：

Icannotletthesevolumesgotopresswithoutsomegratefulwordtoyouwhohavehelpedmeduringthesixyearsandmorethathavegonetotheirmaking。

First，IwanttoconfesshowIhaveenviedyouyourassociationwithMarkTwaininthosedayswhenyouandhe"wentgipsying，alongtimeago。"

Next，Iwanttoexpressmywonderatyourwillingnesstogivemesounstintedlyfromyourpreciouslettersandmemories，whenitisinthenatureofmantohoardsuchtreasures，forhimselfandforthosewhofollowhim。And，lastly，IwanttotellyouthatIdonotenvyyousomuch，anymore，forinthesechapters，oneafteranother，throughyourgrace，Ihavegonegipsyingwithyouall。NeitherdoIwondernow，forI

havecometoknowthatoutofyourloveforhimgrewthatgreaterunselfishness(ordivineselfishness，ashehimselfmighthavetermedit)，andthatnothingshortofthefullestyoucoulddoforhismemorywouldhavecontentedyourhearts。

Mygratitudeismeasureless；anditisworld—wide，forthereisnolandsodistantthatitdoesnotcontainsomeonewhohaseagerlycontributedtothestory。Only，Iseemsopoorlyabletoputmythanksintowords。

AlbertBigelowPaine。

PREFATORYNOTE

CertainhappeningsasrecordedinthisworkwillbefoundtodiffermateriallyfromthesameincidentsandepisodesassetdowninthewritingsofMr。Clemenshimself。MarkTwain’sspiritwasbuiltoftheveryfabricoftruth，sofarasmoralintentwasconcerned，butinhisearlierautobiographicalwritings——andmostofhisearlierwritingswereautobiographical——hemadenorealpretensetoaccuracyoftime，place，orcircumstance——seeking，ashesaid，"onlytotellagoodstory"——whileinlateryearsanever—vividimaginationandacapriciousmemorymadehistorydifficult，evenwhen，asinhisso—called"Autobiography，"hiseffortwasinthedirectionoffact。

"WhenIwasyoungerIcouldrememberanything，whetherithappenedornot，"heoncesaid，quaintly，"butIamgettingold，andsoonIshallrememberonlythelatter。"

Thereadermaybeassured，wherediscrepanciesoccur，thatthewriterofthismemoirhasobtainedhisdatafromdirectandpositivesources：

letters，diaries，accountbooks，orotherimmediatememoranda；alsofromtheconcurringtestimonyofeye—witnesses，supportedbyaunityofcircumstanceandconditions，andnotfromhearsayorvagrantprinteditems。

MARKTWAIN

ABIOGRAPHY

I

ANCESTORS

Onpage492oftheoldvolumeofSuetonius，whichMarkTwainreaduntilhisverylastday，thereisareferencetooneFlaviusClemens，amanofwiderepute"forhiswantofenergy，"andinamarginalnotehehaswritten：

"Iguessthisiswhereourlinestarts。"

Itwaslikehimtowritethat。Itspokeinhiswhimsicalfashiontheattitudeofhumility，thereadyacknowledgmentofshortcoming，whichwashischiefcharacteristicandmadehimlovable——inhispersonalityandinhiswork。

Historically，weneednotacceptthisidentityoftheClemensancestry。

Thenameitselfhasakindlymeaning，andwasnotanuncommononeinRome。Therewasanearlypopebythatname，anditappearsnowandagainintheannalsoftheMiddleAges。MorelatelytherewasaGregoryClemens，anEnglishlandownerwhobecameamemberofParliamentunderCromwellandsignedthedeath—warrantofCharlesI。Afterwardhewastriedasaregicide，hisestateswereconfiscated，andhisheadwasexposedonapoleonthetopofWestminsterHall。

TraditionsaysthatthefamilyofGregoryClemensdidnotremaininEngland，butemigratedtoVirginia(orNewJersey)，andfromthem，indirectline，descendedtheVirginiaClemenses，includingJohnMarshallClemens，thefatherofMarkTwain。Perhapsthelinecouldbetraced，anditsvariousstepsidentified，but，afterall，anancestormoreorlessneednotmatterwhenitisthestoryofadescendantthatistobewritten。

OfMarkTwain’simmediateforebears，however，thereissomethingtobesaid。Hispaternalgrandfather，whosenamealsowasSamuel，wasamanofcultureandliterarytaste。In1797hemarriedaVirginiagirl，PamelaGoggin；andoftheirfivechildrenJohnMarshallClemens，bornAugust11，1798，wastheeldest——becomingmaleheadofthefamilyattheageofseven，whenhisfatherwasaccidentallykilledatahouse—raising。Thefamilywasnotapoorone，buttheboygrewupwithatasteforwork。Asayouthhebecameaclerkinanironmanufactory，atLynchburg，anddoubtlessstudiedatnight。Atallevents，heacquiredaneducation，butinjuredhishealthinthemeantime，andsomewhatlater，withhismotherandtheyoungerchildren，removedtoAdairCounty，Kentucky，wherethewidowpresentlymarriedasweetheartofhergirlhood，oneSimonHancock，agoodman。Induecourse，JohnClemenswassenttoColumbia，thecountyseat，tostudylaw。Whenthelivingheirsbecameofageheadministeredhisfather’sestate，receivingashisownsharethreenegroslaves；alsoamahoganysideboard，whichremainsamongtheClemenseffectstothisday。

Thiswasin1821。JohnClemenswasnowayoungmanoftwenty—three，neververyrobust，butwithagoodprofession，plentyofresolution，andaheartfullofhopeanddreams。Sober，industrious，andunswervinglyupright，itseemedcertainthathemustmakehismark。Thathewaslikelytobesomewhattoooptimistic，evenvisionary，wasnotthenregardedasamisfortune。

ItwastwoyearslaterthathemetJaneLampton；whosemotherwasaCasey——aMontgomery—CaseywhosefatherwasoftheLamptons(Lambtons)ofDurham，England，andwhoonherownaccountwasreputedtobethehandsomestgirlandthewittiest，aswellasthebestdancer，inallKentucky。TheMontgomeriesandtheCaseysofKentuckyhadbeenIndianfightersintheDanielBooneperiod，andgrandmotherCasey，whohadbeenJaneMontgomery，hadwornmoccasinsinhergirlhood，andoncesavedherlifebyjumpingafenceandout—runningaredskinpursuer。TheMontgomeryandCaseyannalswerefullofblood—curdlingadventures，andthereisto—dayaCaseyCountynexttoAdair，withaMontgomeryCountysomewhatfarthereast。AsfortheLamptons，thereisanearldomintheEnglishfamily，andtherewereclaimantseventhenintheAmericanbranch。AllthesethingswereworthwhileinKentucky，butitwasrareJaneLamptonherself——gay，buoyant，celebratedforherbeautyandhergrace；abletodanceallnight，andalldaytoo，forthatmatter——thatwontheheartofJohnMarshallClemens，swepthimoffhisfeetalmostatthemomentoftheirmeeting。ManyofthecharacteristicsthatmadeMarkTwainfamouswereinheritedfromhismother。Hissenseofhumor，hisprompt，quaintlyspokenphilosophy，theseweredistinctlyhercontributiontohisfame。Speakingofherinalaterday，heoncesaid：

"Shehadasortofabilitywhichisrareinmanandhardlyexistentinwoman——theabilitytosayahumorousthingwiththeperfectairofnotknowingittobehumorous。"

Shebequeathedhimthis，withoutdoubt；alsoherdelicatecomplexion；herwonderfulwealthofhair；hersmall，shapelyhandsandfeet，andthepleasantdrawlingspeechwhichgaveherwit，andhis，asereneandperfectsetting。

Itwasaone—sidedloveaffair，thebriefcourtshipofJaneLamptonandJohnMarshallClemens。Allherlife，JaneClemenshonoredherhusband，andwhilehelivedservedhimloyally；butthechoiceofherhearthadbeenayoungphysicianofLexingtonwithwhomshehadquarreled，andherpromptengagementwithJohnClemenswasamatteroftemperratherthantenderness。Shestipulatedthattheweddingtakeplaceatonce，andonMay6，1823，theyweremarried。Shewasthentwenty；herhusbandtwenty—

five。Morethansixtyyearslater，whenJohnClemenshadlongbeendead，shetookarailwayjourneytoacitywheretherewasanOldSettlers’

Convention，becauseamongthenamesofthoseattendingshehadnoticedthenameoftheloverofheryouth。Shemeanttohumbleherselftohimandaskforgivenessafteralltheyears。Shearrivedtoolate；theconventionwasover，andhewasgone。MarkTwainoncespokeofthis，andadded：

"Itisaspatheticaromanceasanythathascrossedthefieldofmypersonalexperienceinalonglifetime。"

II

THEFORTUNESOFJOHNANDJANECLEMENS

Withallhisabilityandindustry，andwiththe—bestofintentions，JohnClemenswouldseemtohavehadanunerringfacultyformakingbusinessmistakes。Itwashisoptimisticoutlook，nodoubt——hisabsoluteconfidenceintheprosperitythatlayjustahead——whichledhimfromoneunfortunatelocalityorenterprisetoanother，aslongashelived。

AboutayearafterhismarriagehesettledwithhisyoungwifeinGainsborough，Tennessee，amountaintownontheCumberlandRiver，andhere，in1825，theirfirstchild，aboy，wasborn。TheynamedhimOrion——aftertheconstellation，perhaps——thoughtheychangedtheaccenttothefirstsyllable，callingitOrion。Gainsboroughwasasmallplacewithfewenoughlawcases；butitcouldhardlyhavebeenassmall，orfurnishedasfewcases；asthenextoneselected，whichwasJamestown，FentressCounty，stillfarthertowardtheEastwardMountains。YetJamestownhadtheadvantageofbeingbrandnew，andintheeyeofhisfancyJohnClemensdoubtlesssawitthefuturemetropolisofeastTennessee，withhimselfitsforemostjuristandcitizen。Hetookanimmediateandactiveinterestinthedevelopmentoftheplace，establishedthecounty—seatthere，builtthefirstCourtHouse，andwaspromptlyelectedascircuitclerkofthecourt。

ItwasthenthathedecidedtolaythefoundationofafortuneforhimselfandhischildrenbyacquiringFentressCountyland。Grantscouldbeobtainedinthosedaysattheexpenseoflessthanacentanacre，andJohnClemensbelievedthattheyearslaynotfardistantwhenthelandwouldincreaseinvaluetenthousand，twenty，perhapsevenahundredthousandfold。Therewasnowrongestimateinthat。Landcoveredwiththefinestprimevaltimber，andfilledwithpreciousminerals，couldhardlyfailtobecomeworthmillions，eventhoughhisentirepurchaseof75，000acresprobablydidnotcosthimmorethan$500。ThegreattractlayabouttwentyninestothesouthwardofJamestown。StandinginthedooroftheCourtHousehehadbuilt，lookingoutoverthe"Knob"oftheCumberlandMountainstowardhisvastpossessions，hesaid：

"Whateverbefallsmenow，myheirsaresecure。Imaynotlivetoseetheseacresturnintosilverandgold，butmychildrenwill。"

Suchwasthecreationofthatmirageofwealth，the"Tennesseeland，"

whichallhisdaysandforlongafterwardwouldliejustahead——agoldenvision，itsnamethesinglewatchwordofthefamilyfortunes——thedreamfadingwithyears，onlymaterializingatlastasathemeinastoryofphantomriches，TheGildedAge。

YetforonceJohnClemenssawclearly，andifhisdreamdidnotcometruehewasinnowisetoblame。Thelandispricelessnow，andacorporationoftheClemensheirsisto—daycontestingthetitleofathinfragmentofit——aboutonethousandacres——overlookedinsomesurvey。

Believingthefutureprovidedfor，Clemensturnedhisattentiontopresentneeds。Hebuilthimselfahouse，unusualinitsstyleandelegance。Ithadtwowindowsineachroom，anditswallswerecoveredwithplastering，somethingwhichnooneinJamestownhadeverseenbefore。Hewasregardedasanaristocrat。Heworeaswallow—tailcoatoffinebluejeans，insteadofthecoarsebrownnative—madecloth。Theblue—jeanscoatwasornamentedwithbrassbuttonsandcostonedollarandtwenty—fivecentsayard，ahighpriceforthatlocalityandtime。Hiswifeworeacalicodressforcompany，whiletheneighborwivesworehomespunlinsey—woolsey。ThenewhousewasreferredtoastheCrystalPalace。WhenJohnandJaneClemensattendedballs——therewerecontinuousballsduringtheholidays——theywereconsideredthemostgracefuldancers。

Jamestowndidnotbecomethemetropolishehaddreamed。Itattainedalmostimmediatelytoagrowthoftwenty—fivehouses——mainlyloghouses——

andstoppedthere。Thecountry，too，wassparselysettled；lawpracticewasslenderandunprofitable，thecircuit—ridingfromcourttocourtwasverybadforoneofhisphysique。JohnClemenssawhisreserveofhealthandfundsdwindling，anddecidedtoembarkinmerchandise。Hebuilthimselfastoreandputinasmallcountrystockofgoods。Theseheexchangedforginseng，chestnuts，lampblack，turpentine，rosin，andotherproduceofthecountry，whichhetooktoLouisvilleeveryspringandfallinsix—horsewagons。Inthemeantimehewouldseemtohavesoldoneormoreofhisslaves，doubtlesstoprovidecapital。Therewasasecondbabynow——alittlegirl，Pamela，——borninSeptember，1827。Threeyearslater，May1830，anotherlittlegirl，Margaret，came。Bythistimethestoreandhomewereinonebuilding，thestoreoccupyingoneroom，thehouseholdrequiringtwo——clearlythefamilyfortunesweredeclining。

AboutayearafterlittleMargaretwasborn，JohnClemensgaveupJamestownandmovedhisfamilyandstockofgoodstoapointninemilesdistant，knownastheThreeForksofWolf。TheTennesseelandwassafe，ofcourse，andwouldbeworthmillionssomeday，butinthemeantimethestrugglefordailysubstancewasbecominghard。

HecouldnothaveremainedattheThreeForkslong，forin1832wefindhimatstillanotherplace，ontherightbankofWolfRiver，whereapost—officecalledPallMallwasestablished，withJohnClemensaspostmaster，usuallyaddressedas"Squire"or"Judge。"Astorewasruninconnectionwiththepostoffice。AtPallMall，inJune，1832，anotherboy，Benjamin，wasborn。

ThefamilyatthistimeoccupiedaloghousebuiltbyJohnClemenshimself，thestorebeingkeptinanotherloghouseontheoppositebankoftheriver。Henolongerpractisedlaw。InTheGildedAgewehaveMarkTwain’spictureofSquireHawkinsandObedstown，writtenfromdescriptionssuppliedinlateryearsbyhismotherandhisbrotherOrion；

and，whilenotexactindetail，itisnotregardedasanexaggeratedpresentationofeastTennesseeconditionsatthattime。Thechapteristoolongandtoodepressingtobesetdownhere。Thereadermaylookitupforhimself，ifhechooses。IfhedoeshewillnotwonderthatJaneClemens’shandsomefeatureshadbecomesomewhatsharper，andhermannerashadegraver，withtheyearsandburdensofmarriage，orthatJohnClemensatthirty—six—outofhealth，outoftunewithhisenvironment——

wasrapidlygettingoutofheart。Afterallthebrightpromiseofthebeginning，thingshadsomehowgonewrong，andhopeseemeddwindlingaway。

Atallman，hehadbecomethinandunusuallypale；helookedolderthanhisyears。Everyspringhewasprostratedwithwhatwascalled"sunpain，"anacuteformofheadache，nerve—rackinganddestroyingtoallpersistenteffort。Yethedidnotretreatfromhismoralandintellectualstandards，orlosetherespectofthatshiftlesscommunity。

Hewasneverintimidatedbytherougherelement，andhiseyeswereofakindthatwoulddisconcertninemenoutoften。Grayanddeep—setunderbushybrows，theyliterallylookedyouthrough。Absolutelyfearless，hepermittednonetotrampleonhisrights。ItistoldofJohnClemens，atJamestown，thatoncewhenhehadlostacowhehandedtheministeronSundaymorninganoticeofthelosstobereadfromthepulpit，accordingtothecustomofthatcommunity。Forsomereason，theministerputthedocumentasideandneglectedit。AtthecloseoftheserviceClemensroseand，goingtothepulpit，readhisannouncementhimselftothecongregation。ThosewhoknewMarkTwainbestwillnotfailtorecallinhimcertainofhisfather’slegacies。

Thearrivalofaletterfrom"ColonelSellers"invitingtheHawkinsfamilytocometoMissouriistoldinTheGildedAge。InrealitytheletterwasfromJohnQuarles，whohadmarriedJaneClemens’ssister，PatseyLampton，andsettledinFlorida，MonroeCounty，Missouri。ItwasamomentousletterinTheGildedAge，andnolesssoinreality，foritshiftedtheentiresceneoftheClemensfamilyfortunes，andithadtodowiththebirthplaceandtheshapingofthecareerofonewhosememoryislikelytolastaslongasAmericanhistory。

III

AHUMBLEBIRTHPLACE

Florida，Missouri，wasasmallvillageintheearlythirties——smallerthanitisnow，perhaps，thoughinthatdayithadmorepromise，eveniflesscelebrity。TheWestwasunassembledthen，undigested，comparativelyunknown。TwoStates，LouisianaandMissouri，withlessthanhalfamillionwhitepersons，wereallthatlaybeyondthegreatriver。

St。Louis，withitsboastedtenthousandinhabitantsanditsrivertradewiththeSouth，wasthesinglemetropolisinallthatvastunchartedregion。Therewasnotelegraph；therewerenorailroads，nostagelinesofanyconsequence——scarcelyanymaps。Forallthatonecouldseeorguess，oneplacewasaspromisingasanother，especiallyasettlementlikeFlorida，locatedattheforksofaprettystream，SaltRiver，whichthoseearlysettlersbelievedmightonedaybecomenavigableandcarrythemerchandiseofthatregiondowntothemightyMississippi，thencetotheworldoutside。

InthosedayscameJohnA。Quarles，ofKentucky，withhiswife，whohadbeenPatseyAnnLampton；also，later，BenjaminLampton，herfather，andothersoftheLamptonrace。ItwasnaturalthattheyshouldwantJaneClemensandherhusbandtogiveupthatdishearteningeastTennesseeventureandjointheminthisnewandpromisingland。Itwasnatural，too，forJohnQuarles——happy—hearted，generous，andoptimistic——towritetheletter。Therewereonlytwenty—onehousesinFlorida，butQuarlescountedstables，out—buildings——everythingwitharoofonit——andsetdownthenumberatfifty—four。

Florida，withitsiridescentpromiseandnegligiblefuture，wasjustthekindofaplacethatJohnClemenswithunerringinstinctwouldbecertaintoselect，andtheQuarleslettercouldhavebutoneanswer。Yettherewouldbethelongingforcompanionship，too，andJaneClemensmusthavehungeredforherpeople。InTheGildedAge，theSellersletterends：

"Come！——rush！——hurry！——don’twaitforanything！"

TheClemensfamilybeganimmediatelyitspreparationforgettingaway。

Thestorewassold，andthefarm；thelasttwowagon—loadsofproduceweresenttoLouisville；andwiththeaidofthemoneyrealized，afewhundreddollars，JohnClemensandhisfamily"flittedoutintothegreatmysteriousblankthatlaybeyondtheKnobsofTennessee。"Theyhadatwo—horsebarouche，whichwouldseemtohavebeenpreservedoutoftheirearlierfortunes。Thebaroucheheldtheparentsandthethreeyoungerchildren，Pamela，Margaret，analthelittleboy，Benjamin。Therewerealsotwoextrahorses，whichOrion，nowten，andJennie，thehouse—girl，aslave，rode。Thiswasearlyinthespringof1835。

TheytraveledbythewayoftheiroldhomeatColumbia，andpaidavisittorelatives。AtLouisvilletheyembarkedonasteamerboundforSt。

Louis；thenceoverlandoncemorethroughwildernessandsolitudeintowhatwasthentheFarWest，thepromisedland。

Theyarrivedoneevening，andifFloridawasnotquiteallinappearancethatJohnClemenshaddreamed，itwasatleastahaven——withJohnQuarles，jovial，hospitable，andfullofplans。ThegreatMississippiwaslessthanfiftymilesaway。SaltRiver，withasystemoflocksanddams，wouldcertainlybecomenavigabletotheForks，withFloridaasitsheadofnavigation。ItwasaSellersfancy，thoughperhapsitshouldbesaidherethatJohnQuarleswasnotthechieforiginalofthatlovelycharacterinTheGildedAge。Thatwasanotherrelative——JamesLampton，acousin——quiteaslovable，andabuilderofevenmoreinsubstantialdreams。

JohnQuarleswasalreadyestablishedinmerchandiseinFlorida，andwasprosperinginasmallway。Hehadalsoacquiredagoodfarm，whichheworkedwiththirtyslaves，andwasprobablytherichmanandleadingcitizenofthecommunity。HeofferedJohnClemensapartnershipinhisstore，andagreedtoaidhimintheselectionofsomeland。Furthermore，heencouragedhimtorenewhispracticeofthelaw。Thusfar，atleast，theFloridaventurewasnotamistake，for，whatevercame，matterscouldnotbeworsethantheyhadbeeninTennessee。

Inasmallframebuildingnearthecenterofthevillage，JohnandJaneClemensestablishedtheirhousehold。Itwasahumbleone—storyaffair，withtwomainroomsandalean—tokitchen，thoughcomfortableenoughforitssize，andcomparativelynew。Itisstillstandingandoccupiedwhentheselinesarewritten，anditshouldbepreservedandguardedasashrinefortheAmericanpeople；foritwasherethattheforemostAmerican—bornauthor——themanmostcharacteristicallyAmericanineverythoughtandwordandactionofhislife——drewhisfirstflutteringbreath，caughtblinkinglythelightofaworldthatintheyearstocomewouldriseupandinitswiderealmoflettershailhimasaking。

Itwasonableakday，November30，1835，thatheenteredfeeblythedomainhewastoconquer。Long，afterward，oneofthosewhoknewhimbestsaid：

"Healwaysseemedtomelikesomegreatbeingfromanotherplanet——neverquiteofthisraceorkind。"

Hemayhavebeen，foragreatcometwasintheskythatyear，anditwouldreturnnomoreuntilthedaywhenheshouldbebornebackintothefarspacesofsilenceandundiscoveredsuns。Butnobodythoughtofthis，then。

Hewasaseven—monthschild，andtherewasnofanfareofwelcomeathiscoming。Perhapsitwasevensuggestedthat，inahousesosmallandsosufficientlyfilled，therewasnorealneedofhiscomingatall。OnePollyAnnBuchanan，whoissaidtohaveputthefirstgarmentofanysortonhim，livedtoboastofthefact，——[ThishonorhasbeenclaimedalsoforMrs。MillieUptonandaMrs。Damrell。Probablyallwerepresentandassisted。]——butshehadnoparticularprideinthatmatterthen。Itwasonlyapunybabywithawaveringpromiseoflife。Still，JohnClemensmusthaveregardedwithfavorthisfirstgiftoffortuneinanewland，forhenamedthelittleboySamuel，afterhisfather，andaddedthenameofanoldanddearVirginiafriend，Langhorne。Thefamilyfortuneswouldseemtohavebeenimprovingatthistime，andhemayhaveregardedthearrivalofanothersonasagoodomen。

Withafamilyofeight，now，includingJennie，theslavegirl，moreroomwasbadlyneeded，andhebeganbuildingwithoutdelay。Theresultwasnotamansion，byanymeans，beingstilloftheone—storypattern，butitwasmorecommodiousthanthetinytwo—roomaffair。Theroomswerelarger，andtherewasatleastoneell，orextension，forkitchenanddining—roomuses。Thishouse，completedin1836，occupiedbytheClemensfamilyduringtheremainderoftheyearsspentinFlorida，wasofteninlaterdayspointedoutasMarkTwain’sbirthplace。Itmissedthatdistinctionbyafewmonths，thoughitshonorwassufficientinhavingshelteredhisearlychildhood。——[Thishouseisnolongerstanding。

Whenitwastorndownseveralyearsago，portionsofitwerecarriedoffandmanufacturedintosouvenirs。MarkTwainhimselfdisclaimeditashisbirthplace，andoncewroteonaphotographofit："No，itistoostylish，itisnotmybirthplace。"]

IV

BEGINNINGALONGJOURNEY

Itwasnotarobustchildhood。Thenewbabymanagedtogothroughthewinter——amatterofcommentamongthefamilyandneighbors。Addedstrengthcame，butslowly；"LittleSam，"astheycalledhim，wasalwaysdelicateduringthoseearlyyears。

Itwasacuriouschildhood，fullofweird，fantasticimpressionsandcontradictoryinfluences，stimulatingaliketotheimaginationandthatembryophilosophyoflifewhichbeginsalmostwithinfancy。JohnClemensseldomdevotedanytimetothecompanyofhischildren。Helookedaftertheircomfortandmentaldevelopmentaswellashecould，andgaveadviceonoccasion。Heboughtabooknowandthen——sometimesapicture—book——

andsubscribedforPeterParley’sMagazine，amarvelofdelighttotheolderchildren，buthedidnotjoinintheiramusements，andherarely，ornever，laughed。MarkTwaindidnotremembereverhavingseenorheardhisfatherlaugh。TheproblemofsupplyingfoodwasasomberonetoJohnClemens；also，hewasworkingonaperpetual—motionmachineatthisperiod，whichabsorbedhissparetime，and，totheinventoratleast，wasnotamirthfuloccupation。JaneClemenswasbusy，too。Hersenseofhumordidnotdie，butwithaddedcaresandyearshertemperaswellasherfeaturesbecamesharper，anditwasjustaswelltobefairlyoutofrangewhenshewasbusywithheremployments。

LittleSam’scompanionswerehisbrothersandsisters，allolderthanhimself：Orion，tenyearshissenior，followedbyPamelaandMargaretatintervalsoftwoandthreeyears，thenbyBenjamin，akindlylittleladwhosegentlelifewaschieflydevotedtolookingafterthebabybrother，threeyearshisjunior。Butinadditiontotheseassociations，therewerethestillmorepotentinfluencesOfthatdayandsection，theintimate，envelopinginstitutionofslavery，thedailycompanionshipoftheslaves。Allthechildrenofthattimewerefondofthenegroesandconfidedinthem。Theywould，infact，havebeenlostwithoutsuchprotectionandcompany。

ItwasJennie，thehouse—girl，andUncleNed，amanofallwork——

apparentlyacquiredwiththeimprovedprospects——whowereinrealchargeofthechildrenandsuppliedthemwithentertainment。Wonderfulentertainmentitwas。Thatwasatimeofvisionsanddreams，small。

gossipandsuperstitions。Oldtaleswererepeatedoverandover，withadornmentsandimprovementssuggestedbyimmediateevents。AteveningtheClemenschildren，bigandlittle，gatheredaboutthegreatopenfireplacewhileJennieandUncleNedtoldtalesandhair—liftinglegends。

Evenababyoftwoorthreeyearscouldfollowthedriftofthisprimitivetellingandwouldshiverandclingclosewiththehorroranddelightofitscurdlingthrill。Thetalesalwaysbeganwith"Once’ponatime，"andoneofthemwasthestoryofthe"GoldenArm"whichthesmallestlistenerwouldonedayrepeatmoreelaboratelytowideraudiencesinmanylands。Brieflyitranasfollows：

"Once’Ponatimetherewasaman，andhehadawife，andshehada’armofpuregold；andshedied，andtheyburiedherinthegraveyard；andonenightherhusbandwentanddugherupandcutoffhergoldenarmandtuckithome；andonenightaghostallinwhitecometohim；andshewashiswife；andshesays：

"W—h—a—r—r’smygoldenarm？W—h—a—r—r’smygoldenarm？W—h—a—r—r’smyg—o—l—denarm？"

AsUncleNedrepeatedtheseblood—curdlingquestionshewouldlookfirstoneandthenanotherofhislistenersintheeyes，withhisbandsdrawnupinfrontofhisbreast，hisfingersturnedoutandcrookedlikeclaws，whilehebentwitheachquestionclosertotheshrinkingformsbeforehim。Thetonewassepulchral，withawfulpauseasifwaitingeachtimeforareply。Theculminationcamewithapounceononeofthegroup，ashakeoftheshoulders，andashoutof：

"YOU’VEgotit！’andshetorehimalltopieces！"

Andthechildrenwouldshout"Lordy！"andlookfurtivelyovertheirshoulders，fearingtoseeawomaninwhiteagainsttheblackwall；but，instead，onlygloomy，shapelessshadowsdartedacrossitastheflickeringflamesinthefireplacewentoutononebrandandflareduponanother。Thentherewasastoryofagreatballoffirethatusedtofollowlonelytravelersalongdarkroadsthroughthewoods。

"Once’ponatimetherewasaman，andhewasridingalongderoadandhecometoaha’ntedhouse，andhehearddechains’a—rattlin’anda—rattlin’

anda—rattlin’，andaballoffirecomerollin’upandgotunderhisstirrup，anditdidn’tmakenodifferenceifhishorsegallopedorwentsloworstoodstill，deballoffirestaidunderhisstirruptillhegotplumtodefrontdo’，andhiswifecomeoutandsay：’MyGord，dat’sdevilfire！’andshehadtoworkawitchspelltodriveitaway。"

"Howbigwasit，UncleNed？"

"Oh，’boutasbigasyourhead，andI’spectit’slikelytocomedowndisyerechimney’mostanytime。"

Certainlyanatmospherelikethismeantatropicdevelopmentfortheimaginationofadelicatechild。Allthegamesanddailytalkconcernedfancifulsemi—Africanconditionsandstrangeprimalpossibilities。Thechildrenofthatdaybelievedinspellsandcharmsandbad—lucksigns，alllearnedoftheirnegroguardians。

Butifthenegroeswerethechiefcompanionsandprotectorsofthechildren，theywerelikewiseoneoftheirdiscomforts。Thegreatestrealdreadchildrenknewwasthefearofmeetingrunawayslaves。Arunawayslavewasregardedasworsethanawildbeast，andtreatedworsewhencaught。OncethechildrensawonebroughtintoFloridabysixmenwhotookhimtoanemptycabin，wheretheythrewhimonthefloorandboundhimwithropes。Hisgroanswereloudandfrequent。Suchthingsmadeanimpressionthatwouldlastalifetime。

Slavepunishment，too，wasnotunknown，eveninthehousehold。Jennieespeciallywasoftensaucyandobstreperous。JaneClemens，withmorestrengthofcharacterthanofbody，onceundertooktopunishherforinsolence，whereuponJenniesnatchedthewhipfromherhand。JohnClemenswassentforinhaste。Hecameatonce，tiedJennie’swriststogetherwithabridlerein，andadministeredchastisementacrosstheshoulderswithacowhide。Thesewerethingsallcalculatedtoimpressasensitivechild。

Inpleasantweatherthechildrenroamedoverthecountry，huntingberriesandnuts，drinkingsugar—water，tyingknotsinlove—vine，pickingthepetalsfromdaisiestotheformula"Loveme—lovemenot，"alwaysaccompaniedbyoneormore，sometimesbyhalfadozen，oftheirsmalldarkyfollowers。ShoesweretakenoffthefirstofApril。Foratimeapairofoldwoolenstockingswereworn，butthesesoondisappeared，leavingthefeetbareforthesummer。Oneoftheirdreadswasthepossibilityofstickingarustynailintothefoot，asthiswasliabletocauselockjaw，amaladyregardedwithaweandterror。Theyknewwhatlockjawwas——UncleJohnQuarles’sblackman，Dan，wassubjecttoit。

Sometimeswhenheopenedhismouthtoitsutmostcapacityhefeltthejointsslipandwascompelledtoputdownthecornbread，orjoleandgreens，orthepieceof’possumhewaseating，whilehismouthremainedafixedabyssuntilthedoctorcameandrestoredittoanaturalpositionbyanexertionofmuscularpowerthatwouldhavewell—nighliftedanox。

UncleJohnQuarles，hishome，hisfarm，hisslaves，allweresourcesofnever—endingdelight。PerhapsthefarmwasjustanordinaryMissourifarmandtheslavesjustaveragenegroes，buttothosechildrenthesethingswereneverapparent。TherewasahaloaboutanythingthatbelongedtoUncleJohnQuarles，andthathalowasthejovial，hilariouskindnessofthatgentle—hearted，humaneman。Tovisitathishousewasforachildtobeinaheavenofmirthandprankscontinually。Whenthechildrencameforeggshewouldsay：

"Yourhenswon’tlay，eh？Tellyourmawtofeed’emparchedcornanddrive’emuphill，"andthiswasalwaysasplendidstrokeofhumortohissmallhearers。

Also，heknewhowtomimicwithhisemptyhandsthepeculiarpattingandtossingofaponeofcorn—breadbeforeplacingitintheoven。Hewouldmakethemostfearfulthreatstohisownchildren，fordisobedience，butneverexecutedanyofthem。Whentheywereoutfishingandreturnedlatehewouldsay：

"You——ifIhavetohuntyouagainafterdark，Iwillmakeyousmelllikeaburnthorn！"

Nothingcouldexceedtheferocityofthisthreat，andallthechildren，withdelightfulterrorandcuriosity，wonderedwhatwouldhappen——ifiteverdidhappen——thatwouldresultingivingachildthatpeculiarsavor。

AltogetheritwasacuriousearlychildhoodthatLittleSamhad——atleastitseemssotousnow。Doubtlessitwascommonplaceenoughforthattimeandlocality。

V

THEWAYOFFORTUNE

PerhapsJohnQuarles’sjocular，happy—go—luckynatureandgeneralconductdidnotaltogetherharmonizewithJohnClemens’smoretaciturnbusinessmethods。Notwithstandingthefactthathewasabuilderofdreams，Clemenswasneatandmethodical，withhispapersalwaysinorder。Hehadaheartydislikeforanythingresemblingfrivolityandconfusion，whichverylikelywerethechieffeaturesofJohnQuarles’sstorekeeping。Atallevents，theydissolvedpartnershipattheendoftwoorthreeyears，andClemensopenedbusinessforhimselfacrossthestreet。Healsopractisedlawwhenevertherewerecases，andwaselectedjusticeofthepeace，acquiringthepermanenttitleof"Judge。"Heneededsomeonetoassistinthestore，andtookinOrion，whowasbythistimetwelveorthirteenyearsold；but，besideshisyouth，Orion——allhisdaysavisionary——wasastudious，pensiveladwithnotasteforcommerce。Thenapartnershipwasformedwithamanwhodevelopedneithercapitalnorbusinessability，andprovedadisasterintheend。ThemodesttideofsuccesswhichhadcomewithJohnClemens’sestablishmentatFloridahadbeguntowane。Anotherboy，Henry，borninJuly，1838，addedonemoreresponsibilitytohisburdens。

Therestillremainedapromiseofbetterthings。ThereseemedatleastagoodprospectthattheschemeformakingSaltRivernavigablewaslikelytobecomeoperative。Withevensmallboats(bateaux)runningashighasthelowerbranchoftheSouthFork，Floridawouldbecomeanemporiumoftrade，andmerchantsandproperty—ownersofthatvillagewouldreapaharvest。AnactoftheLegislaturewaspassedincorporatingthenavigationcompany，withJudgeClemensasitspresident。Congresswaspetitionedtoaidthisworkofinternalimprovement。Soconfidentwasthecompanyofsuccessthatthehamletwasthrownintoafeverofexcitementbytheestablishmentofaboatyardand，theactualconstructionofabateau；butaDemocraticCongressturneditsbackontheproposedimprovement。NoboatbiggerthanaskiffeverascendedSaltRiver，thoughtherewasawildreport，evidentlyahoax，thatapartyofpicnickershadseenonenightaghostlysteamer，loadedandmanned，puffingupthestream。AnoldScotchman，HughRobinson，whenheheardofit，said：

"Idon’tdoubtawordtheysay。InScotland，itoftenhappensthatwhenpeoplehavebeenkilled，oraretroubled，theysendtheirspiritsabroadandtheyareseenasmuchlikethemselvesasareflectioninalooking—

glass。Thatwasaghostofsomewreckedsteamboat。"

ButJohnQuarles，whowaspresent，laughed：

"Ifeveranybodywasintrouble，themenonthatsteamboatwere，"hesaid。"TheyweretheDemocraticcandidatesatthelastelection。TheykilledSaltRiverimprovements，andSaltRiverhaskilledthem。Theirghostswentuptheriveronaghostlysteamboat。"

Itispossiblethatthiscomment，whichwaswidelyrepeatedandtraveledfar，wastheoriginoftheterm"GoingupSaltRiver，"asappliedtodefeatedpoliticalcandidates。——[Thedictionariesgivethisphraseasprobablytraceabletoasmall，difficultstreaminKentucky；butitseemsmorereasonabletobelievethatitoriginatedinQuarles’swittycomment。]

NootherattemptwasevermadetoestablishnavigationonSaltRiver。

RumorsofrailroadsalreadyrunningintheEastputanendtoanysuchthought。Railroadscouldrunanywhereandwereprobablycheaperandeasiertomaintainthanthedifficultnavigationrequiringlocksanddams。SaltRiverlostitsprestigeasapossiblewaterhighwayandbecamemerescenery。RailroadshaveruinedgreaterriversthantheLittleSalt，andgreatervillagesthanFlorida，thoughneitherFloridanorSaltRiverhasbeentouchedbyarailroadtothisday。Perhapssuchclosedetailofearlyhistorymaybethoughtunnecessaryinaworkofthiskind，butallthesethingsweredefiniteinfluencesinthecareerofthelittleladwhomtheworldwouldonedayknowasMarkTwain。

VI

ANEWHOME

ThedeathoflittleMargaretwasthefinalmisfortunethatcametotheClemensfamilyinFlorida。Doubtlessithastenedtheirdeparture。

Therewasasuperstitioninthosedaysthattorefertohealthasgoodluck，ratherthantoascribeittothekindnessofProvidence，wastobringaboutajudgment。JaneClemensonedayspoketoaneighboroftheirgoodluckinthusfarhavinglostnomemberoftheirfamily。Thatsameday，whenthesisters，PamelaandMargaret，returnedfromschool，Margaretlaidherbooksonthetable，lookedintheglassatherflushedcheeks，pulledoutthetrundle—bed，andlaydown。

Shewasneverinherrightmindagain。Thedoctorwassentforanddiagnosedthecase"biliousfever。"Oneevening，aboutnineo’clock，Orionwassittingontheedgeofthetrundle—bedbythepatient，whenthedooropenedandLittleSam，thenaboutfouryearsold，walkedinfromhisbedroom，fastasleep。Hecametothesideofthetrundle—bedandpulledatthebeddingnearMargaret’sshoulderforsometimebeforehewoke。

Nextdaythelittlegirlwas"pickingatthecoverlet，"anditwasknownthatshecouldnotlive。Aboutaweeklatershedied。Shewasnineyearsold，abeautifulchild，plumpinform，withrosycheeks，blackhair，andbrighteyes。ThiswasinAugust，1839。ItwasLittleSam’sfirstsightofdeath——thefirstbreakintheClemensfamily：itleftasadhousehold。Theshoemakerwholivednextdoorclaimedtohaveseenseveralweeksprevious，inavision，thecoffinandthefuneral—

processionpassthegatebythewindingroad，tothecemetery，exactlyasithappened。

MatterswerenowgoingbadlyenoughwithJohnClemens。Yetheneverwaswithoutonegreatcomfortingthought——thefutureoftheTennesseeland。

Itunderlaideveryplan；itwasananodyneforeveryill。

"WhenweselltheTennesseelandeverythingwillbeallright，"wastherefrainthatbroughtsolaceinthedarkesthours。Ablessingforhimthatthiswasso，forhehadlittleelsetobrightenhisdays。

Negotiationslookingtothesaleofthelandwereusuallyinprogress。

Whenthepressurebecameveryhardandfinanceswereattheirlowestebb，itwasofferedatanyprice——atfivecentsanacre，sometimes。Whenconditionsimproved，howeverlittle，thepricesuddenlyadvancedeventoitsmaximumofonethousanddollarsanacre。Nowandthenagenuineoffercamealong，but，thougheagerlywelcomedatthemoment，itwasalwaysrefusedafteralittleconsideration。

"Wewillstrugglealongsomehow，Jane，"hewouldsay。"Wewillnotthrowawaythechildren’sfortune。"

TherewasoneotherwhobelievedintheTennesseeland——JaneClemens’sfavoritecousin，JamesLampton，thecourtliest，gentlest，mostprodigaloptimistofallthatguilelessrace。ToJamesLamptonthelandalwayshad"millionsinit"——everythinghad。Hemadestupendousfortunesdaily，innewways。ThebarementionoftheTennesseelandsenthimoffintofiguresthatendedwiththepurchaseofestatesinEnglandadjoiningthoseoftheDurhamLamptons，whomhealwaysreferredtoas"ourkindred，"casuallymentioningthewhereaboutsandhealthofthe"presentearl。"MarkTwainmerelyputJamesLamptononpaperwhenhecreatedColonelSellers，andthestoryoftheHawkinsfamilyastoldinTheGildedAgereflectsclearlythestruggleofthosedays。Thewords"Tennesseeland，"withtheirgoldenpromise，becamehisearliestrememberedsyllables。Hegrewtodetestthemintime，fortheycametomeanmockery。

Oneoftheoffersreceivedwasthetriflingsumoftwohundredandfiftydollars，andsuchwasthemoment’sneedthateventhiswasconsidered。

Then，ofcourse，itwasscornfullyrefused。InsomeautobiographicalchapterswhichOrionClemensleftbehindhesaid：

"Ifwehadreceivedthattwohundredandfiftydollars，itwouldhavebeenmorethanweevermade，clearofexpenses，outofthewholeoftheTennesseeland，afterfortyyearsofworrytothreegenerations。"

Whatalessspeculativeandmorelogicalreasonerwouldhavedoneinthebeginning，JohnClemensdidnow；heselectedaplacewhich，thoughlittlemorethanavillage，wasonariveralreadynavigable——asteamboattownwithatleastthebeginningsofmanufacturingandtradealreadyestablished——thatistosay，Hannibal，Missouri——apointwellchosen，asshownbyitsprosperityto—day。

Hedidnotdelaymatters。Whenhecametoadecision，heactedquickly。

Hedisposedofaportionofhisgoodsandshippedtheremainderoverland；

then，withhisfamilyandchattelsloadedinawagon，hewasreadytosetoutforthenewhome。Orionrecordsthat，forsomereason，hisfatherdidnotinvitehimtogetintothewagon，andhow，beingalwayssensitivetoslight，hehadregardedthisinthelightofdeliberatedesertion。

"Thesenseofabandonmentcausedmyhearttoache。ThewagonhadgoneafewfeetwhenIwasdiscoveredandinvitedtoenter。HowIwishedtheyhadnotmissedmeuntiltheyhadarrivedatHannibal。ThentheworldwouldhaveseenhowIwastreatedandwouldhavecried’Shame！’"

Thisincident，notedandremembered，longafterbecamecuriouslyconfusedwithanother，inMarkTwain’smind。InanautobiographicalchapterpublishedinTheNorthAmericanReviewhetellsofthemovetoHannibalandrelatesthathehimselfwasleftbehindbyhisabsentmindedfamily。

Theincidentofhisownabandonmentdidnothappenthen，butlater，andsomewhatdifferently。Itwouldindeedbeanabsent—mindedfamilyiftheparents，andthesisterandbrothersranginguptofourteenyearsofage，shoulddriveoffleavingLittleSam，agefour，behind。

——[AsmentionedinthePrefatoryNote，MarkTwain’smemoryplayedhimmanytricksinlaterlife。Incidentswerefilteredthroughhisvividimaginationuntilmanyofthemborelittlerelationtotheactualoccurrence。Someoftheselapseswereonlyamusing，butoccasionallytheyworkedanunintentionalinjustice。Itistheauthor’spurposeineveryinstance，sofarasispossible，tokeeptherecordstraight。]

VII

THELITTLETOWNOFHANNIBAL

Hannibalin1839wasalreadyacorporatecommunityandhadanatmosphereofitsown。ItwasatownwithadistinctSouthernflavor，thoughrathermoreastirthanthetrueSoutherncommunityofthatperiod；moreWesterninthatitplanned，thoughwithoutexcitement，certainnewenterprisesandmadeashow，atleast，ofmanufacturing。Itwassomnolent(aslavetowncouldnotbelessthanthat)，butitwasnotwhollyasleep——thatistosay，dead——anditwastranquillycontent。MarkTwainremembereditas"thewhitetowndrowsinginthesunshineofasummermorning，……thegreatMississippi，themagnificentMississippi，rollingitsmile—widetidealong；……thedenseforestawayontheotherside。"

Thelittlecitywasproudofitsscenery，andjustlyso：circledwithbluffs，withHolliday’sHillonthenorth，Lover’sLeaponthesouth，theshiningriverintheforeground，therewaslittletobedesiredinthewayofsetting。

Theriver，ofcourse，wasthegreathighway。Raftsdriftedby；

steamboatspassedupanddownandgavecommunicationtotheoutsideworld；St。Louis，themetropolis，wasonlyonehundredmilesaway。

Hannibalwasinclinedtorankitselfasofnextimportance，andtookonairsaccordingly。Ithadsociety，too——allkinds——fromthenegroesandthetowndrunkards("General"GainesandJimmyFinn；later，OldBenBlankenship)upthroughseveralnondescriptgradesofmechanicsandtradesmentotheprofessionalmenofthecommunity，whoworetallhats，ruffledshirt—fronts，andswallow—tailcoats，usuallyofsomepositivecolor—blue，snuff—brown，andgreen。TheseandtheirfamiliesconstitutedthetruearistocracyoftheSoutherntown。Mostofthemhadpleasanthomes——brickorlargeframemansions，withcolonnadedentrances，afterthemannerofallSouthernarchitectureofthatperiod，whichhadanundoubtedGreekroot，becauseofcertaindrawing—books，itissaid，accessibletothebuildersofthosedays。Mostofthem，also，hadmeans——slavesandlandwhichyieldedanincomeinadditiontotheirprofessionalearnings。Theylivedinsuchstyleaswasconsideredfittingtotheirrank，andhadsuchcomfortsaswerethenobtainable。

ItwastothisgradeofsocietythatjudgeClemensandhisfamilybelonged，buthismeansnolongerenabledhimtoprovideeitherthecomfortsortheostentationofhisclass。HesettledhisfamilyandbelongingsinaportionofahouseonHillStreet——thePaveyHotel；hismerchandiseheestablishedmodestlyonMainStreet，withOrion，inanewsuitofclothes，asclerk。PossiblytheclothesgaveOrionarenewedambitionformercantilelife，butthiswaned。Businessdidnotbeginactively，andhewaspresentlydreamingandreadingawaythetime。A

littlelaterhebecameaprinter’sapprentice，intheofficeoftheHannibalJournal，athisfather’ssuggestion。

OrionClemensperhapsdeservesaspecialwordhere。Hewastobemuchassociatedwithhismorefamousbrotherformanyyears，andhispersonalityasboyandmanisworthatleastacasualconsideration。

Hewasfifteennow，andhaddevelopedcharacteristicswhichinagreaterorlessdegreeweretogowithhimthroughlife。Ofakindly，lovingdisposition，likealloftheClemenschildren，quickoftemper，butalwayscontrite，orforgiving，hewasneverwithoutthefondregardofthosewhoknewhimbest。Hisweaknessesweremanifold，but，onthewhole，ofanegativekind。Honorableandtruthful，hehadnotendencytobadhabitsorunworthypursuits；indeed，hehadnopositivetraitsofanysort。Thatwashischiefmisfortune。Fullofwhimsandfancies，unstable，indeterminate，hewasswayedbyeverypassingemotionandinfluence。Dailyhelaidoutanewcourseofstudyandachievement，onlytoflingitasidebecauseofsomechanceremarkorprintedparagraphorbitofadvicethatrancontrarytohispurpose。Suchalifeisboundtobeasuccessionofextremes——alternateperiodsofsupremeexaltationanddespair。Inhisautobiographicalchapters，alreadymentioned，Orionsetsdowneveryimpulseandemotionandfailurewiththatfaithfulhumilitywhichwonhimalwaystherespect，ifnotalwaystheapproval，ofmen。

Printingwasastepdownward，foritwasatrade，andOrionfeltitkeenly。Agentleman’ssonandaprospectiveheiroftheTennesseeland，hewasentitledtoaprofession。Tohimitwaspunishment，andthedisgraceweigheduponhim。ThenherememberedthatBenjaminFranklinhadbeenaprinterandhadeatenonlyanappleandabunchofgrapesforhisdinner。OriondecidedtoemulateFranklin，andforatimehetookonlyabiscuitandaglassofwateratameal，foreseeingthedaywhenheshouldelectrifytheworldwithhiseloquence。Hewassurprisedtofindhowclearhismindwasonthislowdietandhowrapidlyhelearnedhistrade。

OftheotherchildrenPamela，nowtwelve，andBenjamin，seven，wereputtoschool。Theywerepretty，attractivechildren，andHenry，thebaby，wasasturdytoddler，theprideofthehousehold。LittleSamwastheleastpromisingoftheflock。Heremaineddelicate，anddevelopedlittlebeyondatendencytopranks。Hewasaqueer，fanciful，uncommunicativechildthatdetestedindoorsandwouldrunawayifnotwatched——alwaysinthedirectionoftheriver。Hewalkedinhissleep，too，andoftentherestofthehouseholdgotupinthemiddleofthenighttofindhimfrettingwithcoldinsomedarkcorner。Thedoctorwassummonedforhimoftenerthanwasgoodforthefamilypurse——orforhim，perhaps，ifwemaycreditthestoryofheavydosingsofthosesternallopathicdays。

Yethewouldappearnottohavebeensatisfiedwithhisheritageofailments，andwasambitiousformore。Anepidemicofmeasles——theblack，deadlykind——wasravagingHannibal，andheyearnedforthecomplaint。

Heyearnedsomuchthatwhenheheardofaplaymate，oneoftheBowenboys，whohadit，heranawayand，slippingintothehouse，creptintobedwiththeinfection。Thesuccessofthisventurewascomplete。Somedayslater，theClemensfamilygatheredtearfullyaroundLittleSam’sbedtoseehimdie。Accordingtohisownafter—confession，thisgratifiedhim，andhewaswillingtodieforthegloryofthattouchingscene。

However，hedisappointedthem，andwaspresentlyupandaboutinsearchoffreshlaurels。——[InlaterlifeMr。Clemensdidnotrecollectthepreciseperiodofthisillness。Withhabitualindifferenceheassignedittovariousyears，ashismoodortheexigenciesofhisthemerequired。

Withoutdoubtthe"measles"incidentoccurredwhenhewasveryyoung。]——

Hemusthavebeenawearingchild，andwemaybelievethatJaneClemens，withhervariedcaresandlabors，didnotalwaysfindhimacomfort。

"YougavememoreuneasinessthananychildIhad，"shesaidtohimonce，inheroldage。

"IsupposeyouwereafraidIwouldn’tlive，"hesuggested，inhistranquilfashion。

Shelookedathimwiththatkeenhumorthathadnotdulledineightyyears。"No；afraidyouwould，"shesaid。Butthatwasonlyherjoke，forshewasthemosttenderheartedcreatureintheworld，and，likemothersingeneral，hadaweaknessforthechildthatdemandedmostofhermother’scare。

ItwasmainlyonhisaccountthatshespenthersummersonJohnQuarles’sfarmnearFlorida，anditwasduringthefirstsummerthatanincidentalreadymentionedoccurred。Itwasdecidedthatthewholefamilyshouldgoforabriefvisit，andoneSaturdaymorninginJuneMrs。Clemens，withthethreeelderchildrenandthebaby，accompaniedbyJennie，theslave—

girl，setoutinalightwagonfortheday’sdrive，leavingJudgeClemenstobringLittleSamonhorsebackSundaymorning。ThehourwasearlywhenJudgeClemensgotuptosaddlehishorse，andLittleSamwasstillasleep。Thehorsebeingready，Clemens，hismindfaraway，mountedandrodeoffwithoutoncerememberingthelittleboy，andinthecourseoftheafternoonarrivedathisbrother—in—law’sfarm。ThenhewasconfrontedbyJaneClemens，whodemandedLittleSam。

"Why，"saidthejudge，aghast，"IneveroncethoughtofhimafterIlefthimasleep。"

WhartonLampton，abrotherofJaneClemensandPatseyQuarles，hastilysaddledahorseandsetout，helter—skelter，forHannibal。Hearrivedintheearlydusk。Thechildwassafeenough，buthewascryingwithlonelinessandhunger。Hehadspentmostofthedayinthelocked，desertedhouseplayingwithaholeinthemeal—sackwherethemealranout，whenproperlyencouraged，inatinystream。Hewasfedandcomforted，andnextdaywassafeonthefarm，whichduringthatsummerandthosethatfollowedit，becamesolargeapartofhisboyhoodandlentacoloringtohislateryears。

VIII

THEFARM

WehavealreadymentionedthedelightoftheClemenschildreninUncleJohnQuarles’sfarm。ToLittleSamitwasprobablyalife—saver。Withhissmallcousin，Tabitha，——[TabithaQuarles，nowMrs。Greening，ofPalmyra，Missouri，hassuppliedmostofthematerialforthischapter。]——

justhisownage(theycalledherPuss)，hewanderedoverthatmagicdomain，fordingnewmarvelsateverystep，newdelightseverywhere。A

slave—girl，Mary，usuallyattendedthem，butshewasonlysixyearsolder，andnotolderatallinreality，soshewasjustaplaymate，andnotaguardiantobefearedorevaded。Sometimes，indeed，itwasnecessaryforhertothreatentotell"MissPatsey"or"MissJane，"whenherlittlechargesinsistedongoingfartherorstayinglaterthanshethoughtwisefromtheviewpointofherownpersonalsafety；butthiswasseldom，andonthewholeastayatthefarmwasjustonelongidyllicdreamofsummer—timeandfreedom。

Thefarm—housestoodinthemiddleofalargeyardenteredbyastilemadeofsawed—offlogsofgraduatedheights。Inthecorneroftheyardwerehickorytrees，andblackwalnut，andbeyondthefencethehillfellawaypastthebarns，thecorn—cribs，andthetobacco—housetoabrook——

adivineplacetowade，withdeep，dark，forbiddenpools。Downinthepasturetherewereswingsunderthebigtrees，andMaryswungthechildrenandranunderthemuntiltheirfeettouchedthebranches，andthentookherturnand"balanced"herselfsohighthattheironewishwastobeasoldasMaryandswinginthatsplendidway。Allthewoodswerefullofsquirrels——graysquirrelsandthered—foxspecies——andmanybirdsandflowers；allthemeadowsweregaywithcloverandbutterflies，andmusicalwithsinginggrasshoppersandcallinglarks；therewereblackberriesinthefencerows，applesandpeachesintheorchard，andwatermelonsinthecorn。Theywerenotalwaysripe，thosewatermelons，andonce，whenLittleSamhadeatenseveralpiecesofagreenone，hewasseizedwithcrampssoseverethatmostofthehouseholdexpectedhimtodieforthwith。

JaneClemenswasnotheavilyconcerned。

"Sammywillpullthrough，"shesaid；"hewasn’tborntodiethatway。"

Itistheslenderconstitutionthatbearsthestrain。"Sammy"didpullthrough，andinabrieftimewasreadyforfreshadventure。

Therewereplentyofthese：therewerethehorsestoridetoandfromthefields；theox—wagonstorideinwhentheyhaddumpedtheirheavyloads；

thecircularhorsepowertorideonwhentheythreshedthewheat。Thislastwasadangerousandforbiddenpleasure，butthechildrenwoulddartbetweentheteamsandclimbon，andtheslavewhowasdrivingwouldpretendnottosee。Thenintheeveningwhentheblackwomancamealong，goingafterthecows，thechildrenwouldraceaheadandsetthecowsrunningandjinglingtheirbells——especiallyLittleSam，forhewasawild—headed，impetuouschildofsuddenecstasiesthatsenthimcaperingandswinginghisarms，ventinghisemotionsinaseriesofleapsandshrieksandsomersaults，andspasmsoflaughterashelayrollinginthegrass。

Histendencytomischiefgrewwiththiswideliberty，improvedhealth，andtheencouragementofJohnQuarles’sgood—natured，fun—lovingslaves。

Thenegroquartersbeyondtheorchardwereespeciallyattractive。Inonecabinlivedabed—ridden，white—headedoldwomanwhomthechildrenvisiteddailyandlookeduponwithawe；forshewassaidtobeathousandyearsoldandtohavetalkedwithMoses。Thenegroesbelievedthis；thechildren，too，ofcourse，andthatshehadlostherhealthinthedesert，comingoutofEgypt。ThebaldspotonherheadwascausedbyfrightatseeingPharaohdrowned。Shealsoknewhowtoavertspellsandwardoffwitches，whichaddedgreatlytoherprestige。UncleDan’lwasafavorite，too—kind—heartedanddependable，whilehisoccasionallockjawgavehimanunusualdistinction。LongafterwardhewouldbecomeNiggerJimintheTomSawyerandHuckleberryFinntales，andsoinhisgentleguilelessnesswinimmortalityandtheloveofmanymen。

Certainlythiswasaheavenlyplaceforalittleboy，thefarmofUncleJohnQuarles，andthehousewasaswonderfulasitssurroundings。Itwasatwo—storydoublelogbuilding，withaspaciousfloor(roofedin)

connectingthetwodivisions。Inthesummerthetablewassetinthemiddleofthatshady，breezypavilion，andsumptuousmealswereservedinthelavishSouthernstyle，broughttothetableinvastdishesthatleftonlyroomforrowsofplatesaroundtheedge。Friedchicken，roastpig，turkeys，ducks，geese，venisonjustkilled，squirrels，rabbits，partridges，pheasants，prairie—chickens——thelististoolongtobeservedhere。Ifalittleboycouldnotimproveonthatbilloffareandinthatatmosphere，hiscasewashopelessindeed。Hismotherkepthimthereuntilthelatefall，whenthechillyeveningsmadethemgatheraroundthewide，blazingfireplace。Sixtyyearslaterhewroteofthatscene：

Icanseetheroomyetwithperfectclearness。Icanseeallitsbuildings，allitsdetails：thefamily—roomofthehouse，withthetrundle—bedinonecornerandthespinning—wheelinanotherawheelwhoserisingandfallingwail，heardfromadistance，wasthemournfulestofallsoundstome，andmademehomesickandlow—

spirited，andfilledmyatmospherewiththewanderingspiritsofthedead；thevastfireplace，piledhighwithflaminglogs，fromwhoseendsasugarysapbubbledout，butdidnotgotowaste，forwescrapeditoffandateit；……thelazycatspreadoutontheroughhearthstones，thedrowsydogsbracedagainstthejambs，blinking；myauntinonechimney—cornerandmyuncleintheothersmokinghiscorn—cobpipe；theslickandcarpetlessoakfloorfaintlymirroringtheflametongues，andfreckledwithblackindentationswherefire—coalshadpoppedoutanddiedaleisurelydeath；halfadozenchildrenrompinginthebackgroundtwilight；

splint—bottomchairshereandthere——somewithrockers；acradle——

outofservice，butwaitingwithconfidence。

Oneistemptedtodwellonthisperiod，toquoteprodigallyfromthesevividmemories——thethousandminuteimpressionswhichthechild’ssensitivemindacquiredinthatlong—agotimeandwouldrevealeverywhereinhisworkintheyearstocome。Forhimitwaseducationofamorevaluableandlastingsortthananyhewouldeveracquirefrombooks。

IX

SCHOOL—DAYS

Nevertheless，onhisreturntoHannibal，itwasdecidedthatLittleSamwasnowreadytogotoschool。Hewasaboutfiveyearsold，andthemonthsonthefarmhadlefthimwiryandlively，evenifnotveryrobust。

Hismotherdeclaredthathegavehermoretroublethanalltheotherchildrenputtogether。

"Hedrivesmecrazywithhisdidoes，whenheisinthehouse，"sheusedtosay；"andwhenheisoutofitIamexpectingeveryminutethatsomeonewillbringhimhomehalfdead。"

Hedid，infact，achievethefirstofhis"ninenarrowescapesfromdrowning"aboutthistime，andwaspulledoutoftheriveroneafternoonandbroughthomeinalimpandunpromisingcondition。Whenwithmulleinteaandcastor—oilshehadrestoredhimtoactivity，shesaid："Iguesstherewasn’tmuchdanger。Peopleborntobehangedaresafeinwater。"

Shedeclaredshewaswillingtopaysomebodytotakehimoffherhandsforapartofeachdayandtrytoteachhimmanners。PerhapsthisisagoodplacetosaythatJaneClemenswastheoriginalofTomSawyer’s"AuntPolly，"andherportraitaspresentedinthatbookisconsideredperfect。Kind—hearted，fearless，lookingandactingtenyearsolderthanherage，aswomendidinthattime，alwaysoutspokenandsometimessevere，shewasregardedasa"character"byherfriends，andbelovedbythemas，acharitable，sympatheticwomanwhomitwasgoodtoknow。Hersenseofpitywasabnormal。Sherefusedtokillevenflies，andpunishedthecatforcatchingmice。She，woulddrowntheyoungkittens，whennecessary，butwarmedthewaterforthepurpose。OncomingtoHannibal，shejoinedthePresbyterianChurch，andherreligionwasofthatclean—

cut，strenuouskindwhichregardsasnecessaryinstitutionshellandSatan，thoughshehadbeenknowntoexpresspityforthelatterforbeingobligedtosurroundhimselfwithsuchpoorsociety。Herchildrenshedirectedwithconsiderablefirmness，andallweretractableandgrowingingraceexceptLittleSam。EvenbabyHenryattwowaslispingtheprayersthatSamwouldletgobydefaultunlesscarefullyguarded。HissisterPamela，whowaseightyearsolderandalwayslovedhimdearly，usuallysupervisedthesespiritualexercises，andinhergentlecareearnedimmortalityastheCousinMaryofTomSawyer。HewouldsayhisprayerswillinglyenoughwhenencouragedbysisterPamela，buthemuchpreferredtositupinbedandtellastonishingtalesoftheday’sadventure——taleswhichmadeprayerseemafutilecorrectiveandcausedhislistenerstowonderwhythelightningwasrestrainedsolong。Theydidnotknowtheywereglimpsingthefirstoutcroppingsofageniusthatwouldonedayamazeandentertainthenations。Neighborshearingofthesethings(alsocertainofhisnarrations)remonstratedwithMrs。

Clemens。

"Youdon’tbelieveanythingthatchildsays，Ihope。"

"Ohyes，Iknowhisaverage。Idiscounthimninetypercent。Therestispuregold。"Atanothertimeshesaid："Sammyisawelloftruth，butyoucan’tbringitallupinonebucket。"

This，however，isdigression；theincidentsmayhavehappenedsomewhatlater。

AcertainMissE。HorrwasselectedtoreceivethepaymentfortakingchargeofLittleSamduringseveralhourseachday，directinghimmentallyandmorallyinthemeantime。HerschoolwastheninaloghouseonMainStreet(lateritwasremovedtoThirdStreet)，andwasoftheprimitiveold—fashionedkind，withpupilsofallages，ranginginadvancementfromtheprimertothethirdreader，fromthetablestolongdivision，withalittlegeographyandgrammarandagooddealofspelling。Longdivisionandthethirdreadercompletedthecurriculuminthatschool。Pupilswhodecidedtotakeapost—graduatecoursewenttoaMr。Cross，whotaughtinaframehouseonthehillfacingwhatisnowthePublicSquare。

MissHorrreceivedtwenty—fivecentsaweekforeachpupil，andopenedherschoolwithprayer；afterwhichcameachapteroftheBible，withexplanations，andtherulesofconduct。ThentheABCclasswascalled，becausetheirrecitalwasahand—to—handstruggle，requiringnopreparation。

TherulesofconductthatfirstdayinterestedLittleSam。Hecalculatedhowmuchhewouldneedtotrimin，tosailclosetothedanger—lineandstillavoiddisaster。Hemadeamiscalculationduringtheforenoonandreceivedwarning；asecondoffensewouldmeanpunishment。Hedidnotmeantobecaughtthesecondtime，buthehadnotlearnedMissHorryet，andwaspresentlystartledbybeingcommandedtogooutandbringastickforhisowncorrection。

Thiswascertainlydisturbing。Itwassudden，andthenhedidnotknowmuchabouttheselectionofsticks。JaneClemenshadusuallyusedherhand。Itrequiredasecondcommandtogethimheadedintherightdirection，andhewasatrifledazedwhenhegotoutside。HehadtheforestsofMissouritoselectfrom，butchoicewasdifficult。Everythinglookedtoobigandcompetent。Eventhesmallestswitchhadawiry，discouraginglook。Acrossthewaywasacooper—shopwithagoodmanyshavingsoutside。

Onehadblownacrossandlayjustinfrontofhim。Itwasaninspiration。Hepickeditupand，solemnlyenteringtheschool—room，meeklyhandedittoMissHerr。

PerhapsMissHorr’ssenseofhumorpromptedforgiveness，butdisciplinemustbemaintained。

"SamuelLanghorneClemens，"shesaid(hehadneverhearditallstrungtogetherinthatominousway)，"Iamashamedofyou！JimmyDunlap，goandbringaswitchforSammy。"AndJimmyDunlapwent，andtheswitchwasofasorttogivethelittleboyanimmediateandpermanentdistasteforschool。Heinformedhismotherwhenhewenthomeatnoonthathedidnotcareforschool；thathehadnodesiretobeagreatman；thathepreferredtobeapirateoranIndianandscalpordrownsuchpeopleasMissHorr。Downinherhearthismotherwassorryforhim，butwhatshesaidwasthatshewasgladtherewassomebodyatlastwhocouldtakehiminhand。

Hereturnedtoschool，butheneverlearnedtolikeit。Eachmorninghewentwithreluctanceandremainedwithloathing——theloathingwhichhealwayshadforanythingresemblingbondageandtyrannyoreventhesmallestcurtailmentofliberty。ASchoolwasruledwitharodinthosedays，abusyandefficientrod，astheScripturerecommended。OfthesmallerboysLittleSam’sbackwassoreasoftenasthenext，andhedreamedmainlyofadaywhen，grownbigandfierce，hewoulddescendwithhisbandandcaptureMissHorrandprobablydragherbythehair，ashehadseenIndiansandpiratesdointhepictures。Whenthedaysofearlysummercameagain；whenfromhisdeskhecouldseethesunshinelightingthesoftgreenofHolliday’sHill，withthepurpledistancebeyond，andtheglintoftheriver，itseemedtohimthattobeshutupwithaWebster’sspelling—bookandacrossoldmaidwasmorethanhumannaturecouldbear。Amongtherecordspreservedfromthatfar—offdaythereremainsayellowslip，whereoninneatold—fashionedpenmanshipisinscribed：

MISSPAMELACLEMENS

Haswontheloveofherteacherandschoolmatesbyheramiabledeportmentandfaithfulapplicationtohervariousstudies。

E。Horr，Teacher。

IfanysuchtestimonialwaseverawardedtoLittleSam，diligentsearchhasfailedtorevealit。Ifhewontheloveofhisteacherandplaymatesitwasprobablyforotherreasons。

Yethemusthavelearned，somehow，forhecouldreadpresentlyandwassoonregardedasagoodspellerforhisyears。Hisspellingcameasanaturalgift，asdidmostofhisattainments，thenandlater。

IthasalreadybeenmentionedthatMissHorropenedherschoolwithprayerandScripturalreadings。LittleSamdidnotespeciallydelightinthesethings，butherespectedthem。Nottodosowasdangerous。Flameswerebeingkeptbriskforlittleboyswhowereheedlessofsacredmatters；hishometeachingconvincedhimofthat。HealsorespectedMissHorrasanexampleoforthodoxfaith，andwhenshereadthetext"Askandyeshallreceive"andassuredthemthatwhoeverprayedforathingearnestly，hisprayerwouldbeanswered，hebelievedit。Asmallschoolmate，thebalker’sdaughter，broughtgingerbreadtoschooleverymorning，andLittleSamwasjust"honing"forsomeofit。Hewantedapieceofthatbaker’sgingerbreadmorethananythingelseintheworld，andhedecidedtoprayforit。

Thelittlegirlsatinfrontofhim，butalwaysuntilthatmorninghadkeptthegingerbreadoutofsight。Now，however，whenhefinishedhisprayerandlookedup，asmallmorselofthepreciousfoodlayinfrontofhim。Perhapsthelittlegirlcouldnolongerstandthathungrylookinhiseyes。Possiblyshehadheardhispetition；atalleventshisprayerborefruitandhisfaithatthatmomentwouldhavemovedHolliday’sHill。

Hedecidedtoprayforeverythinghewanted，butwhenhetriedthegingerbreadsupplicationnextmorningithadnoresult。Grieved，butstillunshaken，hetriednextmorningagain；stillnogingerbread；andwhenathirdandfourtheffortlefthimhungryhegrewdespairingandsilent，andworethehaggardfaceofdoubt。Hismothersaid：

"What’sthematter，Sammy；areyousick？"

"No，"hesaid，"butIdon’tbelieveinsayingprayersanymore，andI’mnevergoingtodoitagain。"

"Why，Sammy，whatintheworldhashappened？"sheasked，anxiously。Thenhebrokedownandcriedonherlapandtoldher，foritwasaseriousthinginthatdayopenlytorepudiatefaith。JaneClemensgatheredhimtoherheartandcomfortedhim。

"I’llmakeyouawholepanofgingerbread，betterthanthat，"shesaid，"andschoolwillsoonbeout，too，andyoucangobacktoUncleJohn’sfarm。"

AndsopassedandendedLittleSam’sfirstschool—days。

X

EARLYVICISSITUDEANDSORROW

ProsperitycamelagginglyenoughtotheClemenshousehold。Theyear1840

broughthardtimes：thebusinessventurepaidlittleornoreturn；lawpracticewasnotmuchmoreremunerative。JudgeClemensranfortheofficeofjusticeofthepeaceandwaselected，butfeeswereneitherlargenorfrequent。BytheendoftheyearitbecamenecessarytopartwithJennie，theslave—girl——agrieftoallofthem，fortheywerefondofherinspiteofherwilfulness，andsheregardedthemas"herfamily。"

Shewastall，wellformed，nearlyblack，andbroughtagoodprice。A

MethodistministerinHannibalsoldanegrochildatthesametimetoanotherministerwhotookittohishomefartherSouth。Asthesteamboatmovedawayfromthelandingthechild’smotherstoodatthewater’sedge，shriekingheranguish。Wearepronetoconsiderthesethingsharshlynow，whenslaveryhasbeendeadfornearlyhalfacentury，butitwasasacredinstitutionthen，andtosellachildfromitsmotherwaslittlemorethantosellto—dayacalffromitslowingdam。Onecouldbesorry，ofcourse，inbothinstances，butnecessityorconveniencearemattersusuallyconsideredbeforesentiment。MarkTwainoncesaidofhismother：

"Kind—heartedandcompassionateasshewas，Ithinkshewasnotconsciousthatslaverywasabald，grotesque，andunwarrantedursurpation。Shehadneverhearditassailedinanypulpit，buthadhearditdefendedandsanctifiedinathousand。Asfarasherexperiencewent，thewise，thegood，andtheholywereunanimousinthebeliefthatslaverywasright，righteous，sacred，thepeculiarpetoftheDeity，andaconditionwhichtheslavehimselfoughttobedailyandnightlythankfulfor。"

YetJaneClemensmusthavehadqualmsattimes——vague，unassembleddoubtsthattroubledherspirit。AfterJenniewasgonealittleblackchore—boywashiredfromhisowner，whohadboughthimontheeastshoreofMarylandandbroughthimtothatremoteWesternvillage，farfromfamilyandfriends。

Hewasacheeryspiritinspiteofthat，andgentle，butverynoisy。Alldayhewentaboutsinging，whistling，andwhoopinguntilhisnoisebecamemonotonous，maddening。OnedayLittleSamsaid：

"Ma——[thatwastheSouthernterm]——，makeSandystopsingingallthetime。It’sawful。"

Tearssuddenlycameintohismother’seyes。

"Poorthing！Heissoldawayfromhishome。Whenhesingsitshowsmaybeheisnotremembering。Whenhe’sstillIamafraidheisthinking，andIcan’tbearit。"

Yetanyoneinthatdaywhoadvancedtheideaoffreeingtheslaveswasheldinabhorrence。Anabolitionistwassomethingtodespise，tostoneoutofthecommunity。Thechildrenheldthenameinhorror，asbelongingtosomethinglessthanhuman；somethingwithclaws，perhaps，andatail。

ThemoneyreceivedforthesaleofJenniemadejudgeClemenseasierforatime。Businessappearstohaveimproved，too，andhewastidedthroughanotheryearduringwhichheseemstohavemadepaymentsonanexpensivepieceofrealestateonHillandMainstreets。Thisproperty，acquiredinNovember，1839，meantthepaymentofsomeseventhousanddollars，andwasacreditpurchase，beyonddoubt。Itwaswellrented，butthetenantsdidnotalwayspay；andpresentlyacrisiscame——adescentofcreditors——

andJohn：Clemensatforty—fourfoundhimselfwithoutbusinessandwithoutmeans。Heofferedeverything——hiscow，hishouseholdfurniture，evenhisforksandspoons——tohiscreditors，whoprotestedthathemustnotstriphimself。Theyassuredhimthattheyadmiredhisintegritysomuchtheywouldaidhimtoresumebusiness；butwhenhewenttoSt。

Louistolayinastockofgoodshewascoldlymet，andtheventurecametonothing。

HenowmadeatriptoTennesseeinthehopeofcollectingsomeolddebtsandtoraisemoneyontheTennesseeland。HetookalonganegromannamedCharlie，whomheprobablypickedupforasmallsum，hopingtomakesomethingthroughhisdisposalinabettermarket。Thetripwasanotherfailure。Themanwhoowedhimaconsiderablesumofmoneywassolvent，butpleadedhardtimes：

Itseemssoveryharduponhim——[JohnClemenswrotehome]——topaysuchasumthatIcouldnothavetheconsciencetoholdhimtoit……IstillhaveCharlie。ThehighestpriceIhadofferedforhiminNewOrleanswas$50，inVicksburg$40。AfterperformingthejourneytoTennessee，Iexpecttosellhimforwhateverhewillbring。

IdonotknowwhatIcancommenceforabusinessinthespring。Mybrainisconstantlyontherackwiththestudy，andIcan’trelievemyselfofit。Thefuture，takingitscompletionfromthestateofmyhealthormind，isalternatelybeaminginsunshineorover—

shadowedwithclouds；butmostlycloudy，asyoumaysuppose。Iwantbodilyexercise——someconstantandactiveemployment，inthefirstplace；and，inthenextplace，Iwanttobepaidforit，ifpossible。

ThisletterisdatedJanuary7，1842。Hereturnedwithoutanyfinancialsuccess，andobtainedemploymentforatimeinacommission—houseonthelevee。Theproprietorfoundsomefaultoneday，andJudgeClemenswalkedoutofthepremises。Onhiswayhomehestoppedinageneralstore，keptbyamannamedSehns，tomakesomepurchases。Whenheaskedthatthesebeplacedonaccount，Selmshesitated。JudgeClemenslaiddownafive—

dollargoldpiece，thelastmoneyhepossessedintheworld，tookthegoods，andneverenteredtheplaceagain。

WhenJaneClemensreproachedhimforhavingmadethetriptoTennessee，atacostoftwohundreddollars，sobadlyneededatthistime，heonlyrepliedgentlythathehadgoneforwhathebelievedtobethebest。

"Iamnotabletodiginthestreets，"headded，andOrion，whorecordsthis，adds：

"Icanseeyetthehopelessexpressionofhisface。"

Duringaformerperiodofdepression，suchasthis，deathhadcomeintotheClemenshome。Itcameagainnow。LittleBenjamin，asensitive，amiableboyoften，onedaysickened，anddiedwithinaweek，May12，1842。Hewasafavoritechildandhisdeathwasaterribleblow。LittleSamlongrememberedthepictureofhisparents’grief；andOrionrecallsthattheykissedeachother，somethinghithertounknown。

JudgeClemenswentbacktohislawandjudicialpractice。Mrs。Clemensdecidedtotakeafewboarders。Orion，bythistimeseventeenandaverygoodjourneymanprinter，obtainedaplaceinSt。Louistoaidinthefamilysupport。

Thetideoffortunehavingtouchedlow—watermark，theusualgentlestageofimprovementsetin。TimesgrewbetterinHannibalafterthosefirsttwoorthreeyears；legalfeesbecamelargerandmorefrequent。WithinanothertwoyearsjudgeClemensappearstohavebeeninfairlyhopefulcircumstancesagain——ableatleasttoinvestsomemoneyinsilkwormcultureandloseit，alsotobuyapianoforPamela，andtobuildamodesthouseontheHillStreetproperty，whicharichSt。Louiscousin，JamesClemens，hadpreservedforhim。Itwasthehousewhichisknowntodayasthe"MarkTwainHome。"——[’Thishouse，in1911，wasboughtbyMr。andMrs。GeorgeA。Mahan，andpresentedtoHannibalforamemorialmuseum。]——Nearit，towardthecornerofMainStreet，washisoffice，andherehedispensedlawandjusticeinamannerwhich，ifitdidnotbringhimaffluence，atleastwonforhimtherespectoftheentirecommunity。Oneexamplewillserve：

Nexttohisofficewasastone—cutter’sshop。Onedaytheproprietor，DaveAtkinson，gotintoamusswithone"Fighting"MacDonald，andtherewasatremendousracket。JudgeClemensranoutandfoundthemendown，punishingeachotheronthepavement。

"Icommandthepeace！"heshouted，ashecameuptothem。

Noonepaidtheleastattention。