[Webster, Mass]., Nov. 13, 1874.
[To James Redpath], 36 [Bromfield street]: —
We have made thirty-five miles in less than five days. This demonstrates the thing can be done. Shall now finish by rail. Did you have any bets on us?
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Mr. Redpath read a despatch from Mark Twain at Wesleyan Hall,
last evening, stating that the humorist and his companion, the
Rev. J. H. Twichell, having been five days on the road, were now
thirty-five miles from Hartford. This, says Mr. Clemens,
satisfactorily demonstrates that the thing can be done. The rest
of the distance will be traversed by rail. Tell those who bet on
us that they have lost. (“Table Gossip,”
4; Twichell, 1:19) The audience, which was amused by the telegram, was
at Wesleyan Hall to hear actor James Morrison Steele MacKaye lecture
on the “Language of Gesture.” The Boston Advertiser, below its printing of the
telegram text, mistakenly announced that Clemens and Twichell had
been present: “They arrived last night and were seen at
Mr. James Steele Mackaye’s lecture, after which Mr.
Clemens rested from his pedestrian triumph at Mr. Young’s
hotel.” Next to the clipping in his journal, Twichell
wrote, “a mistake”
(“About Town,” Boston Advertiser, 14 Nov 74, 1; Twichell, 1:18;
“Amusements,” Boston Evening
Transcript, 13 Nov 74, 5).
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L6, 281; “The Following Despatch,” Boston Evening Transcript, 14 Nov 74, 2; Paine 1912, 250; MTB, 1:528.
Provenance:Twichell’s papers were passed on to his children. Although CtY
received some items in 1951 from Joseph H. Twichell and Mrs. Charles Ives,
his son and daughter, the main collection was donated in 1967 by Charles P.
Twichell, his grandson.
Emendations and textual notes:
Webster, Mass • Webster, Mass
To James Redpath • To James Redpath
Bromfield street • Bromfield street
Samuel L. Clemens • Samuel L. Clemens
