To William Dean Howells
26 July 1880 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS, correspondence card: MH-H, UCCL 01819)

Elmira, July 26/80.

My Dear Howells:

I have been up all night helping to receive Miss Clemens, who arrived perfectly sound but with no more baggage than I had when I was on the river. I will go to bed, now—merely adding that it is a girl again & ‸mother & child are doing quite well, & the latter‸ weighs about 7 pounds. That is a pretty big one—for us. [rule from partially obscured ‘7’ above to ‘7’]

I sincerely wish I could go, with you & Warner & Aldrich, but the journey is too prodigious; moreover, as Mrs. Clemens gets only harassed cat-naps instead of honest sleep when I am away, I shan’t venture to leave her for a month or two yet.

Ys Ever

Mark.