Besides, I wanted to see the General again, any way, and renew the acquaintance.  He would remember me, because I was the person who did not ask him for an office.  However, I consume your time, and also wander from the point—­which is, to thank you for the courtesy of your invitation, and yield up my seat at the table to some other guest who may possibly grace it better, but will certainly not appreciate its privileges more, than I should. 
                              With great respect,
                                   I am, Gentlemen,
                              Very truly yours,
                                        S. L. Clemens.

Private:—­I beg to apologize for my delay, gentlemen, but the card of invitation went to Elmira, N. Y. and hence has only just now reached me.

This letter was not sent.  He reconsidered and sent an acceptance, agreeing to speak, as the committee had requested.  Certainly there was something picturesque in the idea of the Missouri private who had been chased for a rainy fortnight through the swamps of Ralls County being selected now to join in welcome to his ancient enemy.

     The great reunion was to be something more than a mere banquet.  It
     would continue for several days, with processions, great
     assemblages, and much oratory.

Mark Twain arrived in Chicago in good season to see it all.  Three
letters to Mrs. Clemens intimately present his experiences:  his
enthusiastic enjoyment and his own personal triumph.

The first was probably written after the morning of his arrival. 
The Doctor Jackson in it was Dr. A. Reeves Jackson, the
guide-dismaying “Doctor” of Innocents Abroad.

To Mrs. Clemens, in Hartford: 

Palmer house, Chicago, Nov. 11.  Livy darling, I am getting a trifle leg-weary.  Dr. Jackson called and dragged me out of bed at noon, yesterday, and then went off.  I went down stairs and was introduced to some scores of people, and among them an elderly German gentleman named Raster, who said his wife owed her life to me—­hurt in Chicago fire and lay menaced with death a long time, but the Innocents Abroad kept her mind in a cheerful attitude, and so, with the doctor’s help for the body she pulled through....  They drove me to Dr. Jackson’s and I had an hour’s visit with Mrs. Jackson.  Started to walk down Michigan Avenue, got a few steps on my way and met an erect, soldierly looking young gentleman who offered his hand; said, “Mr. Clemens, I believe—­I wish to introduce myself—­you were pointed out to me yesterday as I was driving down street—­my name is Grant.”

“Col.  Fred Grant?”

“Yes.  My house is not ten steps away, and I would like you to come and have a talk and a pipe, and let me introduce my wife.”