To Robert S. Critchell
26–31 December 1879 • Hartford, Conn.
(Chicago Tribune, 11 May 1902: UCCL 12963)

[dateline missing]

Dear Sir:

[Here’s] fun [&] more of it. I received your letter of Dec. 21. It got here after the chickens did, [&] as our mutual friend, Robert Law, had been in the habit of sending me a Christmas present of prairie chickens for a great many years I jumped to the conclusion he had done it again, [&] so I went to the telegraph office [&] wired him my thanks for your chickens. I want you to see Law [&] tell him I don’t take back any of the thanks I wired. I want him to add those to the old account, but I want to say to you that those chickens were fine [&] came just in time for Christmas dinner, [&] I am glad you got that agency.

[remainder of letter missing]

Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

“How Mark Twain Offended Friend,” Chicago Tribune, 11 May 1902, 59. Copy-text is a facsimile from ProQuest Historical Newspapers.

Emendations and textual notes:

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