do so.  So they grew up, and many was the grave lecture commenced by ma, to the effect that Sam was misleading and spoiling Henry.  But the lectures were never concluded, for Sam would reply with a witticism, or dry, unexpected humor, that would drive the lecture clean out of my mother’s mind, and change it to a laugh.  Those were happier days.  My mother was as lively as any girl of sixteen.  She is not so now.  And sister Pamela I have described in describing Henry; for she was his counterpart.  The blow falls crushingly on her.  But the boys grew up—­Sam a rugged, brave, quick-tempered, generous-hearted fellow, Henry quiet, observing, thoughtful, leaning on Sam for protection; Sam and I too leaning on him for knowledge picked up from conversation or books, for Henry seemed never to forget anything, and devoted much of his leisure hours to reading.

Henry is gone!  His death was horrible!  How I could have sat by him, hung over him, watched day and night every change of expression, and ministered to every want in my power that I could discover.  This was denied to me, but Sam, whose organization is such as to feel the utmost extreme of every feeling, was there.  Both his capacity of enjoyment and his capacity of suffering are greater than mine; and knowing how it would have affected me to see so sad a scene, I can somewhat appreciate Sam’s sufferings.  In this time of great trouble, when my two brothers, whose heartstrings have always been a part of my own, were suffering the utmost stretch of mortal endurance, you were there, like a good angel, to aid and console, and I bless and thank you for it with my whole heart.  I thank all who helped them then; I thank them for the flowers they sent to Henry, for the tears that fell for their sufferings, and when he died, and all of them for all the kind attentions they bestowed upon the poor boys.  We thank the physicians, and we shall always gratefully remember the kindness of the gentleman who at so much expense to himself enabled us to deposit Henry’s remains by our father.

With many kind wishes for your future welfare, I remain your earnest
friend,
                     Respectfully,
                                Orion Clemens.

APPENDIX B

MARK TWAIN’S BURLESQUE OF CAPTAIN ISAIAH SELLERS

(See Chapter xxvii)

The item which served as a text for the “Sergeant Fathom” communication was as follows: 

Vicksburg, May 4, 1859.

My opinion for the benefit of the citizens of New Orleans:  The water is
higher this far up than it has been since 1815.  My opinion is that the
water will be four feet deep in Canal Street before the first of next
June.  Mrs. Turner’s plantation at the head of Big Black Island is all
under water, and it has not been since 1815. 
                            I. Sellers.—­[Captain Sellers, as
                            in this case, sometimes signed
                            his own name to his
                            communications.]
The burlesque
introductory