To Edwina Booth
8 April 1877 • Hartford, Conn.
(MS of inscription in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: ViU, UCCL 09285)
(SUPERSEDED)

Some day, Miss Booth, when you (having become acquainted with my many virtues & merits,) shall come to like me as well as I already like you,) we two shall be a couple of right good friends. Then you will say, “I do not value this book because it has worth—since that is questionable—but I value it because Mr. C’s impulse was kindly & honest & I am satisfied that he would have sent me a much better one if he had been able to write it.” (And that will be just as true a thing as you ever said—mark my words!)

Truly Yours

Samℓ. L. Clemens

Hartford, Apl. 8/77.