I have been away for a fortnight, [&] I find on my return your pleasing invitation to be one of the Press Club’s guests, January 15. I should vastly like to be there, but, even if other circumstances did not bar me from going, I should be barred anyway by the formidable size of the trip in this mid-winter weather.
I was glad to be remembered by the gentlemen of the Club, but if I had been overlooked, I wouldn’t have taken it as a cold wave, but only as an oversight, for there has been a long interval since we foregathered there. (To give one the “cool shake” is vulgar [&] slangy. I use the other phrase in the interest of refinement [&] in deference to the weather.) I was glad to be remembered, because I had not slacked up in my remembering the boys, [&] one likes such things to be mutual, [&] I was also glad because the circumstances of my visit out there a year ago were such that I arrogate to myself as near a kinship to the Club as anyone may who is not an actual member of the family.
With the heartiest congratulations upon the success achieved by your organization thus far, [&] with best wishes for its continued prosperity,
I am truly yours,
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
Freeman 1894, 24–25.
Emendations and textual notes:
Hartford • Hartford
& • and
& • and
& • and
& • and
& • and
& • and
Mark Twain • Mark Twain
