Mark Twain’s introduction of Hawley at Elmira contained this pleasantry:  “General Hawley was president of the Centennial Commission.  Was a gallant soldier in the war.  He has been Governor of Connecticut, member of Congress, and was president of the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln.”

General Hawley:  “That nominated Grant.”

Twain:  “He says it was Grant, but I know better.  He is a member of my church at Hartford, and the author of ‘Beautiful Snow.’  Maybe he will deny that.  But I am only here to give him a character from his last place.  As a pure citizen, I respect him; as a personal friend of years, I have the warmest regard for him; as a neighbor whose vegetable garden joins mine, why—­why, I watch him.  That’s nothing; we all do that with any neighbor.  General Hawley keeps his promises, not only in private, but in public.  He is an editor who believes what he writes in his own paper.  As the author of ‘Beautiful Snow’ he added a new pang to winter.  He is broad-souled, generous, noble, liberal, alive to his moral and religious responsibilities.  Whenever the contribution-box was passed I never knew him to take out a cent.”

CXXXV

A trip with Sherman and an interview with grant.

The Army of the Potomac gave a dinner in Hartford on the 8th of June, 1881.  But little memory remains of it now beyond Mark Twain’s speech and a bill of fare containing original comments, ascribed to various revered authors, such as Johnson, Milton, and Carlyle.  A pleasant incident followed, however, which Clemens himself used to relate.  General Sherman attended the banquet, and Secretary of War, Robert Lincoln.  Next morning Clemens and Twichell were leaving for West Point, where they were to address the military students, guests on the same special train on which Lincoln and Sherman had their private car.  This car was at the end of the train, and when the two passengers reached the station, Sherman and Lincoln were out on the rear platform addressing the multitude.  Clemens and Twichell went in and, taking seats, waited for them.

As the speakers finished the train started, but they still remained outside, bowing and waving to the assembled citizens, so that it was under good headway before they came in.  Sherman came up to Clemens, who sat smoking unconcernedly.

“Well,” he said, “who told you you could go in this car?”

“Nobody,” said Clemens.

“Do you expect to pay extra fare?” asked Sherman.

“No,” said Clemens.  “I don’t expect to pay any fare.”

“Oh, you don’t.  Then you’ll work your way.”

Sherman took off his coat and military hat and made Clemens put them on.

“Now,” said he, “whenever the train stops you go out on the platform and represent me and make a speech.”

It was not long before the train stopped, and Clemens, according to orders, stepped out on the rear platform and bowed to the crowd.  There was a cheer at the sight of his military uniform.  Then the cheer waned, became a murmur of uncertainty, followed by an undertone of discussion.  Presently somebody said: