The Boys' Life of Mark Twain

That night we went with him to Elmira, and next day he lay in those stately parlors that had seen his wedding-day, and where little Langdon and Susy had lain, and Mrs. Clemens, and then Jean, only a little while before.

The worn-out body had reached its journey's end; but his spirit had never grown old, and to-day, still young, it continues to cheer and comfort a tired world.

1

John Briggs died in 1907; earlier in the same year the writer of this memoir spent an afternoon with him and obtained from him most of the material for this chapter.

2

Horace Bixby lived until 1912 and remained at the wheel until within a short time of his death, in his eighty-seventh year. The writer of this memoir visited him in 1910 and took down from his dictation the dialogue that follows.

3

Depth of water. One-quarter less than three fathoms.

4

In the Mississippi book the author says that Brown was about to strike Henry with a lump of coal, but in the letter above mentioned the details are as here given.

5

In an earlier day, barrel hoops were made of small hickory trees, split and shaved. The hoop-pole was a very familiar article of commerce, and of household defense.

6

"My Debut as a Literary Person."

7

From "My Mark Twain," by W. D. Howells.

8

Chapter XXXIII.

9

Gillette was originally a Hartford boy. Mark Twain had recognized his ability, advanced him funds with which to complete his dramatic education, and Gillette's first engagement seems to have been with the Colonel Sellers company. Mark Twain often advanced money in the interest of education. A young sculptor he sent to Paris for two years' study. Among others, he paid the way of two colored students through college.

10

In Mark Twain—A Biography, by the same author.

11

At Mark Twain's death his various literary effects passed into the hands of his biographer and literary executor, the present writer.

12

His special favorites were Schubert's Op. 142, part 2, and Chopin's Op. 37, part 2.

13

See reference in Chapter lxvi.