Clemens’s sin was “A Literary Nightmare,” which appeared in the Atlantic Monthly for February 1876 (SLC 1876f). Its hypnotic “Punch, brothers! punch” jingle (which Clemens did not write but merely quoted) captured many readers (see 29 Jan 76 to Twichell and 27 Oct 1875 to Howells, L6, 577 n. 1). Neither the letter from Higgins that Clemens answered nor the letter of friendly abuse from Wisconsin has been found.

James Lawrence Kearny (1846-1921) was a wealthy descendent of a prominent Perth Amboy, New Jersey, family and a sometime magazine and newspaper contributor. No details of his acquaintance with Higgins or his possible acquaintance with Clemens have been discovered (“J. L. Kearny Is Called to Rest,” Perth Amboy [N.J.] Evening News, 17 Dec 1921, 1, 5, TS in CU-MARK, courtesy of Eleanor McGuire, Kearny Cottage Historical Association). James Lawrence Kearny (1846–1921), was a journalist and author. No details of his acquaintance with Clemens and the unidentified Higgins have been discovered (“J. L. Kearny Is Called to Rest,” Perth Amboy [N.J.] Evening News, 17 Dec 1921, 1, 5).