Buf. Oct. 26.
How men do lose their tempers without any absolute necessity for it! Why, I sent for that bill from St Louis Mo., more than 3 years ago, & there never was a bill in the world that I would have paid with more alacrity or felt more as if I had got my money’s worth. I am very careless, heedless, forgetful, & all that, but never had any desire to defraud you for affording me intelligent & efficient relief on that needful occasion. So you were all wrong when you got angry about it—it was fooling away good vigorous indignation that could have been used on some fellow that felt guilty, & then it would have had a deal more effect. However, if you enjoy getting out of temper, level it all at me—I don’t mind [it. Newspaper ] abuse has made me callous, & so if I can be useful to you as a target, in further payment of a bill that has run so disgracefully long, I suppose I had as well long, my moral alligator-skin is at your service.
[ Bet But ]seriously I am a good deal more annoyed at this bill [ have ]having run all these years than I am at your remarks. I should hate to give a man my time & services in good faith & then have to wait 3½ years for my pay. I can comprehend the situation.
Samℓ. L. Clemens.
Dr. Cardner.1
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
L4, 214–215; Fox, item 4, excerpts.
Provenance:Offered for sale by Alan C. Fox in 1980, the MS was in the collection of Jim
Williams in 1981.
Emendations and textual notes:
it. Newspaper • it.—|Newspaper
Bet But • Betut [canceled ‘t’ partly formed]
have having • haveing
