He sailed on July 13th for home, besought to the last moment by a crowdof autograph-seekers and reporters and photographers, and a multitude whoonly wished to see him and to shout and wave good-by. His affairs became sonumerous at length that he employed a business agent, F. Dickinson wrote Clemens that he would not give out theletter without his authority, and Clemens replied: Be Yes, and I have shoveled silver tailings in a quartz-mill a couple of weeks, and acquired the last possibilities of culture in that direction.
More than once, in Washington, he had said: Draw plenty of money for incidental expenses. It was on the 11th ofDecember, 1897, something more than a year after the death of Susy, thatOrion Clemens died, at the age of seventy-two. It was in alovely locality, and for neighbors there were artists, literary people,and those of kindred pursuits, among them a number of old friends. He was constantly demanded forthis thing and that--for public gatherings, dinners--everywhere he was acentral figure.
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