I think all of us had to read Huckleberry Finn (1884) and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) in school. Both during his lifetime and subsequently Mark Twain won a worldwide audience for his stories of youthful adventures. While I could appreciate Tom Sawyer as a youngster, I did not comprehend the symbolism of Huckleberry Finn until rereading it as an adult. Frankly, I still do not recognize much of the symbolism associated with the Mississippi River that scholars perceive.

 

Mark Twain made and lost several fortunes during his lifetime. His ready wit delighted audiences for decades. I thought it might be appropriate to include some of his anecdotes.

 

As a cub reporter, Mark Twain was told never to state as fact anything that he could not personally verify. Following this instruction to the letter, he wrote the following account of a gala social event. “A woman giving the name of Mrs. James Jones, who is reported to be on the society leaders of the city, is said to have given what purported to be a party yesterday to a number of alleged ladies. The hostess claims to be the wife of a reported attorney.”

 

Mark Twin’s wife did her best to censor the more picturesque flights of her husband’s language. One morning he cut himself shaving and cursed long and loud. When he stopped, his wife tried to shame him by repeating to him verbatim all the profanities that he had just uttered. Twain heard her out and then remarked. “You have the words my dear, but I’m afraid, you’ll never master the tune.”

 

A businessman notorious for his ruthful ness announced to Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments at the top.”  

 

“I have a better idea, “ said Twain.  “You could stay home in Boston and keep them.”

 

Mark Twain often did his writing in bed, regardless of the time of day. On one occasion his wife came in to tell him that a reporter had arrived to interview him. When Twain showed no sign of being ready to get up, she said, “Don’t you think it will be a little embarrassing for him to find you in bed?”

 

“Why, if you think so, Livy,” Twain responded,” we could have the other bed made up for him.”