Elmira, N.Y., July 2.
Dear G’s—
Just a line to say Mrs. Clemens would not venture to take a young child into the deadly atmosphere of Rome in the summertime. Thinks Karl might go alone—sell out & leave wife & baby in Paris in an economical lodging, & stow himself similarly in Rome. Such is her notion.
We have been here on the hill a week or more & I am deep in my work & grinding out manuscript by the acre—stick to it the whole day long, & allowing myself only time to scratch off two or three brief letters after they yell for me to come down to supper. All hands fairly well, & all send love.
Samℓ L C
Mr. Karl Gerhardt | 11 rue Boissonade | Paris | France [return address:] return to s. l. clemens, hartford, conn., if not delivered within 10 days. [postmarked:] elmira n. y. jul 5 11am