A NEW JOKE OF TWAIN'S.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3999, 22 October 1881, Page 4

A NEW JOKE OF TWAIN'S.

The following story is taken from the Peoria Journal, but for its truthfulness we would not vouch:—An old settler came into the office this morning with a joke on Mark Twain, which has never been in print before. ' At one time in his life Mark essayed journalism in Keokuk, and he bought an old hand press, and went to work to enlighten the natives, i The late Judge Claggett. of tbo Constitution, <?ame along a tramp, sour-looking, for worfci Be ? stopped at Mark's ■hop, and looking' in, found Mark under the press with a wrench, all covered with oil and printer's ink, struggling with the impression. He asked Mark where the proprietor was, and Mark, looking at him from around the legs of the pre,sß, answered that he was out. Then Mark wanted to know why he •iked. Glagget said that ho was a printer and wanted a job. Mark looked him all over and asked him where he got his good clothes. Claggett replied that he was just out of his apprenticeship and his old boss made him a present of them. Mark shook his head sadly add replied: "You take proper good care of them young man, for»s long as you stay at the business you will never have another so good." Claggett settled down by Mark, and eventually bought the Constitution and ran it until the day .of his death, but he always remembered what Mark told him, for it, was true. Tbat pair of garments was the best he ever had. i