2 July 1883 • Elmira, N.Y. (MS: MB and Holmes, UCCL 02300)
Just a line to say Mrs. Clemens would not venture to take a young child into the deadly atmosphere of Rome in the summertime. Thinks Karl might go alone—sell out & leave wife & baby in Paris in an economical lodging, & stow himself similarly in Rome. Such is her notion.
We have been here on the hill a week or more & I am deep in my work & grinding out manuscript by the acre—stick to it the whole day long, & allowing myself only time to scratch off two or three brief letters after they yell for me to come down to supper. All hands fairly well, & all send love.
Mr. Karl Gerhardt | 11 rue Boissonade | Paris | France return address: return to s. l. clemens, hartford, conn., if not delivered within 10 days. postmarked: elmira n. y. jul 5 11am
MS, MB, is source text for the letter. MS, collection of Richard W. Holmes in 1998, is source text for the envelope.
MicroPUL, reel 2.