been at the start. In
truth, the Langdon household had somehow grown to feel that he belonged
to them. The elder sister's husband, Theodore Crane, endorsed him
fully. He had long before read some of the Mark Twain sketches that had
traveled eastward in advance of their author, and had recognized, even
in the crudest of them, a classic charm. As for Olivia Langdon's mother
and sister, their happiness lay in hers. Where her heart went theirs
went also, and it would appear that her heart, in spite of herself,
had found its rightful keeper. Only young Langdon was irreconciled,
and eventually set out for a voyage around the world to escape the
situation.

There was only a provisional engagement at first. Jervis Langdon
suggested, and Samuel Clemens agreed with him, that it was proper
to know something of his past, as well as of his present, before the
official parental sanction should be given. When Mr. Langdon inquired
as to the names of persons of standing to whom he might write for
credentials, Clemens pretty confidently gave him the name of the
Reverend Stebbins and others of San Francisco, adding that he might
write also to Joe Goodman if he wanted to, but that he had lied for
Goodman a hundred times and Goodman would lie for him if necessary,
so his testimony would be of no value. The letters to the clergy were
written, and Mr. Langdon also wrote one on his own account.

It was a long mail-trip to the Coast and back in those days. It might be
two months before replies would come from those ministers. The lecturer
set out again on his travels, and was radiantly and happily busy. He
went as far west as Illinois, had crowded houses in Chicago, visited
friends and kindred in Hannibal, St. Louis, and Keokuk, carrying the
great news, and lecturing in old familiar haunts.

LXX. INNOCENTS AT HOME--AND "THE INNOCENTS ABROAD"

He was in Jacksonville, Illinois, at the end of January (1869), and in
a letter to Bliss states that he will be in Elmira two days later, and
asks that proofs of the book be sent there. He arrived at the Langdon
home, anxious to hear the reports that would make him, as the novels
might say, "the happiest or the most miserable of men." Jervis Langdon
had a rather solemn look when they were alone together. Clemens asked:

"You've heard from those gentlemen out there?"

"Yes, and from another gentleman I wrote concerning you."

"They don't appear to have been very enthusiastic, from your manner."