Heidelberg, June 28.
Dear Old Seaver:
There be humorists in Germany. With infinite difficulty I have translated the following from a Mannheim paper:
A thirsty man called for beer. Just as the foaming mug was placed before him, some one sent in for him. The place was [crowded. Could] he trust his beer there? A bright idea flashes through his brain. He writes on a card, “I have spit ‸expectorated‸ in this beer”—fastens the card to the mug & retires with triumph in his eyes to see what is wanted. He returns presently & finds his card reversed & this written on it: “Ich auch .,” (I also!”)
Be good to yourself, old Seaver.
Yrs Ever
Mark.
[letter docketed by Seaver:] “Mark Twain”
Textual Commentary
Source text(s):Previous publication:
Alkali Andy, no page, transcript and
facsimile; MicroPUL, reel 1.
Provenance:Offered for sale by Charles Yale Bookseller, as noted in a typed transcript
in CU-MARK apparently dating from the
1950s or early 1960s.
Emendations and textual notes:
crowded. Could • crowded.—|Could
