Sam's sufferings. In this time of great trouble, when my two brothers,
whose heartstrings have always been a part of my own, were suffering the
utmost stretch of mortal endurance, you were there, like a good angel,
to aid and console, and I bless and thank you for it with my whole
heart. I thank all who helped them then; I thank them for the flowers
they sent to Henry, for the tears that fell for their sufferings, and
when he died, and all of them for all the kind attentions they bestowed
upon the poor boys. We thank the physicians, and we shall always
gratefully remember the kindness of the gentleman who at so much expense
to himself enabled us to deposit Henry's remains by our father.

With many kind wishes for your future welfare, I remain your earnest
friend,

Respectfully,
ORION CLEMENS.

APPENDIX B

MARK TWAIN'S BURLESQUE OF CAPTAIN ISAIAH SELLERS

(See Chapter xxvii)

The item which served as a text for the "Sergeant Fathom" communication
was as follows:

VICKSBURG, May 4, 1859.

My opinion for the benefit of the citizens of New Orleans: The water is
higher this far up than it has been since 1815. My opinion is that the
water will be four feet deep in Canal Street before the first of next
June. Mrs. Turner's plantation at the head of Big Black Island is all
under water, and it has not been since 1815. I. SELLERS.--[Captain Sellers, as
in this case, sometimes signed
his own name to his
communications.]

THE BURLESQUE INTRODUCTORY

Our friend Sergeant Fathom, one of the oldest cub pilots on the river,
and now on the Railroad Line steamer Trombone, sends us a rather bad
account concerning the state of the river. Sergeant Fathom is a "cub"
of much experience, and although we are loath to coincide in his view
of the matter, we give his note a place in our columns, only hoping that
his prophecy will not be verified in this instance. While introducing
the Sergeant, "we consider it but simple justice (we quote from a friend
of his) to remark that he is distinguished for being, in pilot phrase,
'close,' as well as superhumanly 'safe.'" It is a well-known fact that
he has made fourteen hundred and fifty trips in the New Orleans and
St. Louis trade without causing serious damage to a steamb