To  show  the  humorist's  characteristic  handwriting,  his  preface
from  his  "  Library  of  Wit  and  Humor,"  is  reproduced :


C^w^/L|^LLttr9  c^fT^^^-^^-^'y


n'O^^um


MARK  TWAIN.  849

Mr.  David  Welcher  tells  me  that  Mark  Twain  when  in  a  good
humor,  told  him  the  story  of  his  courtship,  and  how  he  won  his
beautiiul  and  wealthy  wife.  When  Mark  first  met  her,  he  was  not  so
distinguished  as  now ;  his  origin  was  humble,  and  for  some  years  of
his  life  he  had  been  a  pilot  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  future
Mrs.  Clemens  was  a  woman  of  position  and  fortune.;  her  father
was  a  judge,  and  doubtless  expected  "family  "  and  social  importance
in  his  son-in-law.  Clemens,  however,  became  interested  in  his
daughter,  and  after  awhile  proposed,  but  was  rejected.
"Well,"  he  said  to  the  lady,  "  I  didn't  much  believe  you'd  have
me,  but  I  thought  I'd  try."

After  a  while  he  "tried"  again,  with  the  same  result,  and  then
remarked,  with  his  celebrated  drawl,  "I  think  a  great  deal  more  of
you  than  if  you'd  said  '  Yes,'  but  it's  hard  to  bear."  A  third  time
he  met  with  better  fortune  and  then  came  to  the  most  diflBcult  part
of  his  task — to  address  the  old  gentleman.
"Judge,"  he  said  to  the  dignified  millionaire,  "have  you  seen
any  thing  going  on  between  Miss  Lizzie  and  me  ? "

"  Wliat  ?  What  ? "  exclaimed  the  judge,  rather  sharply,  appar-
ently not  understanding  the  situation,  yet  doubtless  getting  a
glimpse  of  it  from  the  inquiry.
"  Have  you  seen  any  thing  going  on  between  Miss  Lizzie  and  me?"

"No,  indeed,"  replied  the  magnate,  sternly.  "No,  sir,  I  have
not  ? ".
