I ought to be ashamed and I am trying my best to be ashamed--and yet I do jump at the chance in spite of it. I don't want to write Irving and I don't want to write Stoker. It doesn't seem as if I could. But I can suggest something for you to write them; and then if you see that I am unwise, you can write them something quite different. Now this is my idea: 1. To return Stoker's $100 to him and keep his stock. 2. And tell Irving that when luck turns with me I will make good to him what the salvage from the dead Co. fails to pay him of his $500. P. S. Madam says No, I must face the music. So I enclose my effort to be used if you approve, but not otherwise. There! Now if you will alter it to suit your judgment and bang away, I shall be eternally obliged. We shall try to find a tenant for our Hartford house; not an easy matter, for it costs heavily to live in. We can never live in it again; though it would break the family's hearts if they could believe it. Nothing daunts Mrs. Clemens or makes the world look black to her--which is the reason I haven't drowned myself. We all send our deepest and warmest greetings to you and all of yours and a Happy New Year! S. L. CLEMENS. Enclosure: MY DEAR STOKER,--I am not dating this because it is not to be mailed at present. When it reaches you it will mean that there is a hitch in my machine-enterprise--a hitch so serious as to make it take to itself the aspect of a dissolved dream. This letter, then, will contain cheque for the $100 which you have paid. And will you tell Irving for me--I can't get up courage enough to talk about this misfortune myself, except to you, whom by good luck I haven't damaged yet that when the wreckage presently floats ashore he will get a good deal of his $500 back; and a dab at a time I will make up to him the rest. I'm not feeling as fine as I was when I saw you there in your home. Please remember me kindly to Mrs. Stoker. I gave up that London lecture-project entirely. Had to--there's never been a chance since to find the time. Sincerely yours, S. L. CLEMENS. XXXV. LETTERS, 1895-96, TO H. H. ROGERS AND OTHERS. FINISHING “JOAN OF ARC.” THE TRIP AROUND THE WORLD. DEATH OF SUSY CLEMENS. ***** To H. H. Rogers, in New York City: [No date.] DEAR MR. ROGERS,--Yours of Dec. 21 has arrived, containing the circular to stockholders and I guess the Co. will really quit--there doesn't seem to be any other wise course.