Elmira, July 15.
D My Dear Bro:
Per contract I must have another 600-page book ready for my publisher Jan. 1, & I only began it [to-day ].1 The subject of it is a secret, because I may possibly change it. But as it stands, I propose to do up Nevada & Cal., beginning with the trip across the [country . ] in the stage. Have you a memorandum of the route we took—or the m names of any of the Stations we stopped at? Do you remember any of the scenes, names, incidents or adventures of the coach trip?—for I remember next to nothing about the matter. Jot down a foolscap page of items for me.2 I wish I could have two days’ talk with you.
I suppose I am to get the biggest copyright, ever this time, ever paid on a subscription book in this country.3
Give our love to [Mollie. Mr. ] Langdon is very low.
Yr Bro
Sam.
Orion Clemens Esq | Night Editor “Democrat”4 | St Louis | Mo. [return address:] return to j. langdon, elmira, [n. y., ] if not delivered within 10 days. [postmarked:] elmira n.y. jul 16
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Source text(s):
Previous publication:
L4, 171–172; MTB, 1:421, with omissions; MTL, 1:174–75.
Provenance:see Mark Twain Papers in Description of Provenance.
Emendations and textual notes:
to-day • to-|day
country. • [deletion implied]
Mollie. Mr. • Mollie.—|Mr.
n. y., • n. [y] [torn]