To the Editors of the Berkshire County Eagle
23 September 1879 • Elmira, N.Y.
(Berkshire County [Pittsfield, Mass.] Eagle,
16 October 1879, UCCL 10860)
Elmira, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1879.
I can only thank you, [&] express my regret, since circumstances over which I have no control debar me from being present at the supper [&] social meeting.
The phrase “circumstances over which I have no control” is not original with me—yet at the same time I claim considerable property in it by right of re-discovery. This most compact [&] convenient expression used to be commoner than lying; but at last the newspapers took it in hand [&] buried it utterly out of sight [&] memory under Alps [&] Himalayas of ridicule, [&] since that old day it has never been seen in print by mortal. It was a useful phrase for it covered all contingencies, it economised penmanship [&] invention, [&] enabled the most giftless excuser to do his office in elegant [&] melodious form. After twenty-five years’ rest, you observe it comes up refreshed [&] smiling. Let us believe that this mortal has put on immortality. We will give the old relic a start, anyway, [&] see if she will go.
Thanking you once more for the compliment of your invitation, [&] wishing the Editors [&] Reporters an invigorating [&] rejuvenating good time, I am, yours truly,
S. L. Clemens.
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