play had eventually been produced at the Lyceum Theatre in New York,

with A. P. Burbank in the leading role, and Clemens and Howells as

financial backers. But it was a losing investment, nor did it pay

any better when Clemens finally sent Burbank with it on the road.

Now, however, James A. Herne, a well-known actor and playwright,

became interested in the idea, after a discussion of the matter with

Howells, and there seemed a probability that with changes made under

Herne's advisement the play might be made sensible and successful.

But Mark Twain's greater interest was now all in the type-machine,

and certainly he had no money to put into any other venture. His

next letter to Goodman is illuminating--the urgency of his need for

funds opposed to that conscientiousness which was one of the most

positive forces of Mark Twain's body spiritual. The Mr. Arnot of

this letter was an Elmira capitalist.

****

To Jos. T. Goodman, in California:

HARTFORD, March 31, '90.

DEAR JOE,--If you were here, I should say, "Get you to Washington and

beg Senator Jones to take the chances and put up about ten or "--no, I

wouldn't. The money would burn a hole in my pocket and get away from

771

The Letters Of Mark Twain, Complete