The Letters of Mark Twain Vol.4

When Clemens had been platforming with Cable and returned to Hartford for his Christmas vacation, the Warner and Clemens families had joined in preparing for him a surprise performance of The Prince and the Pauper. The Clemens household was always given to theatricals, and it was about this time that scenery and a stage were prepared - mainly by the sculptor Gerhardt - for these home performances, after which productions of The Prince and the Pauper were given with considerable regularity to audiences consisting of parents and invited friends. The subject is a fascinating one, but it has been dwelt upon elsewhere. - [In Mark Twain: A Biography, chaps. cliff and clx.] - We get a glimpse of one of these occasions as well as of Mark Twain's financial progress in the next brief note. MY DEAR HOWELLS, - The date set for the Prince and Pauper play is ten days hence - Jan. 13. I hope you and Pilla can take a train that arrives here during the day; the one that leaves Boston toward the end of the afternoon would be a trifle late; the performance would have already begun when you reached the house.