r Langdon
cousins, how many happy summers they played and dreamed away. Secluded
by a hillside and happy trees, overlooking the hazy, distant town, it was
a world apart--a corner of story-book land. When the end of the summer
came its little owners went about bidding their treasures good-by,
closing and kissing the gates of Ellerslie.

Looking back now, Mark Twain at fifty would seem to have been in his
golden prime. His family was ideal--his surroundings idyllic. Favored
by fortune, beloved by millions, honored now even in the highest places,
what more had life to give? When November 30th brought his birthday, one
of the great Brahmins, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, wrote him a beautiful
poem. Andrew Lang, England's foremost critic, also sent verses, while
letters poured in from all sides.

And Mark Twain realized his fortune and was disturbed by it. To a friend
he said: "I am frightened at the proportions of my prosperity. It seems
to me that whatever I touch turns to gold."

XLVIII.

BUSINESS DIFFICULTIES. PLEASANTER THINGS

For the time it would seem that Mark Twain had given up authorship for
business. The success of the Grant book had filled his head with plans
for others of a like nature. The memoirs of General McClellan and
General Sheridan were arranged for. Almost any war-book was considered a
good venture. And there was another plan afoot. Pope Leo XIII., in his
old age, had given sanction to the preparation of his memoirs, and it was
to be published, with his blessing, by Webster & Co., of Hartford. It
was generally believed that such a book would have a tremendous sale, and
Colonel Sellers himself could not have piled the figures higher than did
his creator in counting his prospective returns. Every Catholic in the
world must have a copy of the Pope's book, and in America alone there
were millions. Webster went to Rome to consult with the Pope in person,
and was received in private audience. Mark Twain's publishing firm
seemed on the top wave of success.

The McClellan and Sheridan books were issued, and, in due time, the Life
of Pope Leo XIII.--published simultaneously in six languages--issued from
the press. A large advance sale had been guaranteed by the general
canvassing agents--a fortunate thing, as it proved. For, strange as it
may seem, the book did not prove a great success. It is hard to explain
just why. Perhaps Catholics felt that there had been so many popes that
the life of any parti