To Katherine K. Walker
28 October 1881 • Hartford, Conn.
(“An Open Letter to Mark Twain,” New York Independent 35, 4 January 1883, 6: CU-MARK, UCCL 02076)

[Hartford, Oct. 28/81.]

[unknown amount of text missing]

You spoke rather as if you should give up the [idea] of magazining the Bishop’s mind-telegraphing experiences since I had pre-empted the field; but I beg you to reconsider that impulse [&] banish it. This isn’t a matter of literature; it is a matter of science, [&] anybody who can contribute toward the sum of human knowledge concerning it, it is morally encumbent upon the same to do so. I think [&] believe that an interest can be stirred up upon this unquestionably fascinating subject that will bring out people all around, with their reminiscence baskets; [&], as a result, we should have a mass of most curious, yes, [&] profitable reading.

Now, won’t you write that article [&] publish it? I do hope you will.

Truly yours,

S. L. [Clemens.]

[P. S.] [Plenty] bad grammar; but somehow I never could seem to write good grammar with this pen.

Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

Katherine K. Walker, “An Open Letter to Mark Twain,” New York Independent 35 (4 January 1883): 6.

Emendations and textual notes:

Hartford, Oct. 28/81. • Hartford, Oct. 28th, 1881.

idea • dea

& • and

& • and

& • and

& • and

& • and

& • and

Clemens. • Clemens.

[¶] P. S. • With a “P. S.” which will be recognized unmistakably as your sign manual. [reported, not quoted]

[no ¶] Plenty • [¶] “~