![]() It was there, too, that we learned that he painted from “live” models – often the local town-folk. It was at the small museum in town that we first saw original Rockwell illustrations, many of them famously familiar. In fact, the bed-and-breakfast room that we occupied was Rockwell’s bedroom! It was a beautiful interlude for a few nights, compounded by the fact that we were the only guests! That left time for leisurely breakfasts and long conversation with the congenial couple who owned the place – in front of a crackling fire in the fireplace on crisp Vermont mornings. That took place in 1992 when we visited New England and stayed at the stately farmhouse built in 1799 that was once his home. Linda and I had rubbed elbows with the great artist/illustrator, Norman Rockwell, once before in Arlington, Vermont. Norman Rockwell: The Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. That last one is my own little commentary on the marvel which is Mark Twain, a writer and a personality worth knowing. One must admire a man who has the courage to call it the way he sees it – even though his personal shortcomings may be the well-spring of his insight and wisdom. ![]() “Man was made at the end of the week’s work, when God was tired.” “The lack of money is the root of all evil.” And suppose you were a member of Congress. “Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows to anyone.” This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Often it does seem such a pity that Noah didn’t miss the boat.” ![]() The first book discusses his insights into human nature, and the second is a book of resulting quotes – for example: I purchased two books in the gift shop at Hartford, both centered on Mark Twain’s gift for peering into the heart of human nature….and subsequently laying it bare in prose via his pithy quotes and his stories. They were never to return to the beautiful house at Hartford after Suzy’s death there were just too many beautiful memories of happier times, there. Twain and Olivia were devastated on receiving the news overseas. In 1896, the eldest daughter, Suzy, who had remained home at Hartford, died of meningitis in that beautiful house. Because of terrible business decisions, Twain was forced into bankruptcy in the early 1890’s after writing such successful classics in his Hartford home as “Tom Sawyer,” and “Huckleberry Finn.” He embarked on an arduous, year-long, around-the-world lecture tour in 1895 with his wife and two daughters, Clara and Jean, in order to pay off his former creditors even though legally not responsible to do so after bankruptcy. Nothing was spared in its planning and construction thanks to Olivia’s family coal fortune and Twain’s bright prospects as a writer and speaker.Īlas, Mark Twain was as dismal at investing money as he was brilliant writing stories. Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name, “Mark Twain,” built this beautiful home on the then-outskirts of Hartford in 1873 for Olivia, his wife of three years and their future family of three girls. Linda and I have just returned from a two-week sojourn through New England with many memories, photos….and new books which will pose a bookshelf problem at home! Speaking of books and writers, we began our adventure at the Mark Twain house in Hartford, Connecticut.
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