CHAPTER XVIII

The Grant Book

WITH Charles L, Webster, a nephew by mar-
riage, Mark Twain by 1885 had become a pub-
lisher, A successful beginning having been made
with Huckleberry Finn, the firm of Charles L.
Webster & Co. was now about, to undertake a
venture of far greater proportions.

FKHKUAUY 26, 1885. On the 2ist I called on Gen. Grant
and Col. Fred his son at 3 Mast 60th St., their home, to
talk over I lie business details of the publication of the Gen-
eral's book. I was astonished to sec how thin and weak
he was; yet as I had just read in the papers that his bad
symptoms were all gone I look it for granted that the
report was true, and said I have been glad to see that
news. He smiled and said—"Yes—if it had only been
true." One of the physicians was present and he startled
me by saying-—"The General's condition was the opposite
of encouraging."

Then the talk drifted to business and the General pres-
ently said, "I mean you shall have the book—I have
about made up my mind to that—but I wish to write to
Mr. Roswell Smith first and tell him I have so decided.
1 think this is due him."

From the beginning the General has shown a fine deli-
cacy toward those people—a delicacy which is native to
the character of the man who put into the Appomattox
terms of surrender the words "Officers may retain their
side arms," to save General Lee the humiliation of giving

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