The Letters Of Mark Twain, Complete


google search for The Letters Of Mark Twain, Complete

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
925 926 927 928 929

Quick Jump
1 314 629 943 1257

To Rudyard Kipling, in England:  
August, 1895.  
DEAR KIPLING,--It is reported that you are about to visit India. This  
has moved me to journey to that far country in order that I may unload  
from my conscience a debt long due to you. Years ago you came from India  
to Elmira to visit me, as you said at the time. It has always been my  
purpose to return that visit and that great compliment some day. I shall  
arrive next January and you must be ready. I shall come riding my ayah  
with his tusks adorned with silver bells and ribbons and escorted by  
a troop of native howdahs richly clad and mounted upon a herd of wild  
bungalows; and you must be on hand with a few bottles of ghee, for I  
shall be thirsty.  
Affectionately,  
S. L. CLEMENS.  
Clemens, platforming in Australia, was too busy to write letters.  
Everywhere he was welcomed by great audiences, and everywhere  
lavishly entertained. He was beset by other carbuncles, but would  
seem not to have been seriously delayed by them. A letter to his  
old friend Twichell carries the story.  
927  


Page
925 926 927 928 929

Quick Jump
1 314 629 943 1257