Details
CLEMENS, SAMUEL LANGHORNE. Autograph letter signed ("Saml.") to his wife Livy in Paris; New York, n.d. [envelope postmarked 25 April 1894]. 4 pages, 8vo, on The Players club stationery, with original stamped envelope addressed by Clemens.
TWAIN IN BANKRUPTCY
Written six days after Clemens entered into voluntary bankruptcy proceedings -- at the urging of his friend, the shrewd businessman Henry Huttleston Rogers -- seeking relief from debts incurred by poor management at his publishing firm (The American Publishing Company) and by his disastrous investments in the Paige typesetting machine. "Well, Sweetheart, I am more & more grateful that the failure happened, & that it happened just when it did. I can't think of a date earlier or later that would have been so fortunate. Earlier we couldn't have had the Grant cheap edition [a reprint of Grant's Memoirs, Clemens' great success as a publisher] far enough advanced to make a good showing; now the showing is so promising that the creditors can hardly refuse to let us resume, I think. It seems much the wisest course to let us resume -- but I am indifferent as to which they do. I could not have been indifferent earlier. I am out of the mess, now, & am no longer harassed for money to pour down that hole...
"So far as I have heard, the newspapers have said nothing but pleasant things, though I had made up my mind not to worry if they said the other kind...The newspaper talk lasted two days -- & that was exactly as long as I expected it to last...I haven't any news to tell, except that I love you -- if that is news -- & that I dreamed pleasant dreams of you last night. I wish I might again tonight, you dear woman..."
TWAIN IN BANKRUPTCY
Written six days after Clemens entered into voluntary bankruptcy proceedings -- at the urging of his friend, the shrewd businessman Henry Huttleston Rogers -- seeking relief from debts incurred by poor management at his publishing firm (The American Publishing Company) and by his disastrous investments in the Paige typesetting machine. "Well, Sweetheart, I am more & more grateful that the failure happened, & that it happened just when it did. I can't think of a date earlier or later that would have been so fortunate. Earlier we couldn't have had the Grant cheap edition [a reprint of Grant's Memoirs, Clemens' great success as a publisher] far enough advanced to make a good showing; now the showing is so promising that the creditors can hardly refuse to let us resume, I think. It seems much the wisest course to let us resume -- but I am indifferent as to which they do. I could not have been indifferent earlier. I am out of the mess, now, & am no longer harassed for money to pour down that hole...
"So far as I have heard, the newspapers have said nothing but pleasant things, though I had made up my mind not to worry if they said the other kind...The newspaper talk lasted two days -- & that was exactly as long as I expected it to last...I haven't any news to tell, except that I love you -- if that is news -- & that I dreamed pleasant dreams of you last night. I wish I might again tonight, you dear woman..."