To Mary Mason Fairbanks
18 April 1871 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS: CSmH, UCCL 00604)

Elmira, Apl. 18.

Dear Mother:

Am just starting to Buffalo to finish the sale of my “Express” interest.1

We do long to get out there with you, & we have high hopes on that head, too—but no certainties, on account of Livy’s continued prostration. I find myself daily regarding her substantial recovery as farther & farther away. I cannot see that she has gained a single hair’s breadth in 30 days. She is hopeful & confident—but what does she found it on? If I had her in your care a month she would get well, but you see it isn’t possible.

Love to you all, & more ◇◇ than all, to you, our Mother.

Samℓ.

Mrs. A. W. Fairbanks | Care “Herald” | Cleveland | Ohio. [return address:] return to j. langdon & co., elmira, n. y., if not delivered within 10 days. [postmarked:] elmira n. y. apr 18

Explanatory Notes

Editorial Signs

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1 1 On 20 April, the Buffalo Courier reported that “ ‘Mark Twain’ was in the city yesterday. . . . We learn that he has disposed of his interest in the Express to Mr. George H. Selkirk, one of the previous proprietors of that paper” (“Personal,” 2). But see 3 Mar 71 to Riley, n. 3.

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS, Huntington Library, San Marino (CSmH, call no. HM 14273).

Previous publication: L4, 379–380; MTMF, 151.

Provenance:see Huntington Library in Description of Provenance.