Elmira, N. Y., May 5.
Master Henri Gerard,1
Editor “Comet.”
I have hardly time to write a communication for the “Comet,” but am cheerfully willing to comply with your request that I should state my opinion of the paper.—which is, briefly, that although it is the fruit of a boy’s brain & a boy’s enterprise, it is superior to some papers issued by men. The crisp brevity with which you dispose of that fellow Bismarck has a charm for me which the long leaders of the ponderous dailies [lacks]—but at the same time you should have a care how you risk embroiling your country in a foreign war. However, I will not say a word—give it to Bismarck & [ lu let] us take the chances.
The “Comet” is a neat paper & a readable one; & it seems to me that it is a marked & excellent sign of the times to see boys forsaking rowdy amusements for the worthier pleasures of literary endeavor.
I wish to subscribe for nearly 3 copies of the “Comet,” & therefore enclose $1. Please send one of them to “Master Sammy Moffett, Fredonia, N. Y.” ‸And the other one to‸
Yrs Truly
Samℓ. L. Clemens.
Elmira, N. Y.
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L4, 389–390; Bibliophile Society, 125–26.
Provenance:A handwritten transcription made by Dana Ayer between 1910 and 1919 and a
Brownell typescript are at WU (see Brownell Collection in Description of Provenance). At
some time the MS was acquired by W. T. H. Howe, who died in 1939; in 1940,
the Howe Collection was purchased by Dr. Albert A. Berg and donated to NN (Cannon, 185–86).
Emendations and textual notes:
lacks • [sic]
lu let • luet
