He died in 1902. On the morning of his seventy-fourth birthday he was looking wonderfullywell after a night of sound sleep, his face full of color and freshness,his eyes bright and keen and full of good-humor. , as an idiot, he said: I wish to God the lightning would strike me; but I've wished that fiftythousand times and never got anything out of it yet. I shall plan to sail for England a shade before the middle of June, so that I can have a few days in London before the 26th.
He had behaved like Walter Scott, says Howells, as millions rejoicedto know who had not known how Walter Scott had behaved till they knew itwas like Clemens. ]--He tells how the demonstrations had continued in one form or another dayafter day, and merged at last into the seventieth birthday of P Ware,of Kansas, with whose penname-- Ironquill --Clemens had long beenfamiliar. And once, when Jean reported a caller in the livingroom, he said: Jean, I can't see her.
Join the newsletter to receive news, updates, new products and freebies in your inbox.