MY DEAR HOWELLS,--Just as soon as you consented I realized all the

atrocity of my request, and straightway blushed and weakened. I

telegraphed my theatrical agent to come here and carry off the MS and

copy it.

But I will gladly send it to you if you will do as follows: dramatize

it, if you perceive that you can, and take, for your remuneration, half

of the first $6000 which I receive for its representation on the stage.

You could alter the plot entirely, if you chose. I could help in the

work, most cheerfully, after you had arranged the plot. I have my eye

upon two young girls who can play "Tom" and "Huck." I believe a good

deal of a drama can be made of it. Come--can't you tackle this in the

odd hours of your vacation? or later, if you prefer?

I do wish you could come down once more before your holiday. I'd give

anything!

Yrs ever,

MARK.

Howells wrote that he had no time for the dramatization and

urged Clemens to undertake it himself. He was ready to read

the story, whenever it should arrive. Clemens did not

hurry, however, The publication of Tom Sawyer could wait.

He already had a book in press--the volume of Sketches New

and Old, which he had prepared for Bliss several years

366

The Letters Of Mark Twain, Complete