Details
CLEMENS, SAMUEL LANGHORNE. Autograph letter signed ("Saml") to his wife in Paris, "At Sea" aboard the U.S.M.S. "New York," 13[April 1894]. 2 pages, 8vo, in pencil on ship's stationery, with original stamped envelope addressed by Clemens; with a printed "Programme of Entertainment Held on Board U.S.M.S. 'New York'...April 13...," 4to broadside on pale green paper, probably printed on board ship, listing a "Reading" by Clemens as part of the entertainment.
"...I am waiting to be called to read -- and the sea is unceasing all the time...A new thing is the Pig Book. It is a big album full of blank leaves. You are required to shut your eyes & draw a pig & put your signature under it: [here Clemens has drawn a sketch of pig with its eye below its body]. You see I forgot to put in his eye: & so when I shut my eyes again I missed the pig altogether. Some of the pigs in this book are strange looking creatures, & don't always resemble pigs. I love you dearly, & I do hope you are happy. If my love (not my conduct) could make you happy you would be so always."
"...I am waiting to be called to read -- and the sea is unceasing all the time...A new thing is the Pig Book. It is a big album full of blank leaves. You are required to shut your eyes & draw a pig & put your signature under it: [here Clemens has drawn a sketch of pig with its eye below its body]. You see I forgot to put in his eye: & so when I shut my eyes again I missed the pig altogether. Some of the pigs in this book are strange looking creatures, & don't always resemble pigs. I love you dearly, & I do hope you are happy. If my love (not my conduct) could make you happy you would be so always."