This is my transcription of a printed copy of the Lowell Daily Courier
November 12, 1884 Page 8.  It was provided by Pam Colt, Reference
Department, Pollard Memorial Library

Lowell Daily Courier, November 12, 1884, p8

The Twain-Cable Entertainment.

The presence of such men as Samuel L. Clemens and George W. Cable on the
platform as interpreters of their own works is a decided novelty in the
line of entertainments.  It is nothing new for an author to figure as a
public reader, but a combination of writers appearing as elocutionists
is.  Hence the very large audience at Huntington Hall last night was
justified in anticipating a treat, and it can be said with truth that it
was not disappointed.  The fact that the entertainment was for the Home
for Young Women and Children materially added to the number of auditors,
but many went simply to see and hear the distinguished writers.  Mr.
Cable came first to the desk, unannounced and unaccompanied.  After a
moment there was some applause and he began.  He first commented on the
programme which announced the “Music of Place Congo” as the first
selection.  This he said he would change, and begin at once with “Posson
Jone'.”  The incoming of tardy persons interfered with the success of
the first portion of the story, but when quiet was restored the closest
attention was paid.  Mr. Cable's work was admirable.  The story
introduces three characters, a good-hearted but simple-minded West
Floridian preacher, a shrewd sophisticated Creole, and a “nigger.”  All
three were vividly impersonated.  The rapid changes from the voice and
style of one character to another were made with rare precision and
success, while the narrative was carried along in an easy, graceful and
highly entertaining manner.  Mr. Cable's acting was capital, and his
elocution perfect.  Frequent ripples of applause interrupted the
recitation and at the close he was generously applauded.  He then gave
an illustration of Creole music by singing a love song to ma belle
p'tit' fille, and this ended his share of the entertainment.  His
singing was as well liked as his reading, and the audience would gladly
have heard more of it.

Mark Twain followed and he, too, had something to say about the
programme, and his determination not to be bound by it.  This appears to
be a part of the performance, as the readers have objected in other
places to the bill and changed it to suit their own notions.  Mr.
Clemens proved a decided change from the style of his partner.  While
Mr. Cable was refined to a degree, and of polished manner, the witty
Connecticut man was much broader in his humor and less graceful in his
work.  He was not free from affectation, and some detected an imitation
of A. Ward.  He told the story of “King Sollermun,” related an anecdote
not on the bill, and read the “Tragic Tale of the Fishwife,” “A Trying
Situation” and “A Ghost Story.”  The laughter was constant throughout,
and the audience evidently found their enjoyment of the Twain
characteristics much increased by the peculiar delivery of the reader.
The explosive ending of the ghost story startled half the people from
their seats.  Altogether the performance was very enjoyable.

The fair proper opens tonight.  Ballads in Black will be given and there
will be a shadow pantomime performance of “The Rivals” and “The Four
Lovers”  Beautiful and useful goods will be for sale.