To Unidentified
20 and 22 September 1877 • Hartford, Conn.
(New York Times, 14 October 1877, UCCL 13105)

[Hartford], Sept. 20.

[Dear Sir]: The clock refuses to strike, but I am not particular about that. She runs faster than necessary, but I can regulate that. She doesn’t change the day of the week and the month until noon; but if she will stick to that, so that I can depend on her, she will not perplex me by giving her yesterdays an extra 12 hours. I always did think the yesterdays were too short any way. I inclose check.

S. L. [Clemens].

Sept. 22.—Clock is all right now.1

Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary

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1The Times introduced this letter as follows: “A few weeks ago, when Mark Twain was in this State, he purchased a calendar clock. Shortly after his arrival home he sent the following characteristic letter to the dealer” (“Mark Twain’s Clock,” 5). The dealer has not been identified.

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

“Mark Twain’s Clock,” New York Times, 14 October 1877, 5.

Emendations and textual notes:

Hartford • Hartford

Dear Sir • Dear Sir

Clemens • Clemens