You got me.  My transcription slipped.  There is an "at".  There is an
image of the newspaper piece on my web page.

On Sun, 2015-03-08 at 12:12 +0000, Sharon McCoy wrote:
> My favorite part is that Twain "seems not all distressed by his own jokes."=
>   Priceless.
> 
> (Curious, though -- I had to erase "at" before "all" when I typed the quote=
> .)
> 
> Scott -- thank you so much for sharing these gems.=20
> 
> Sharon
> 
> ________________________________________
> From: Mark Twain Forum [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Scott Holmes [scott@=
> BSCOTTHOLMES.COM]
> Sent: Saturday, March 7, 2015 3:31 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Twain and Cable at the Powers' Opera House, December 13, 1884
> 
> I have acquired a review of this program courtesy the Grand Rapids
> Public Library.
> 
> Daily Morning Democrat, December 14, 1884
> 
> AMUSEMENTS
> 
> The "Mark Twain"-Cable Readings.
> 
> "The readings by Messrs. Clemens and Cable at Powers' opera house last
> evening proved a very pleasant entertainment. Readings usually are
> rather tedious affairs, and an audience is sure to get wearied long
> before the close of the programme is reached. In the present instance
> the time passed away delightfully, and the only regret experienced
> seemed due to the fact that the "solemnities" of the occasion, as Mark
> Twain put it, had been brought to a close altogether too soon to suit
> the pleasure of the very large audience present."
> 
> "Of course "Mark Twain" is simply himself, and to be appreciated must be
> heard. Being a humorist by profession, he looks a good deal like an
> undertaker during a lull in business; his voice is of a low pitch, the
> expression of his countenance non-commital, his movements not really
> graceful, his gait just a trifle shambling. He talks in a matter-of-fact
> way, has a very pleasant smile which lingers with apparent fondness
> 'neath the cover of a heavy moustache, seems not all distressed by his
> own jokes, and goes at his work evidently aware of the fact that
> "business is business," and must be looked after. Mr. Cable is of a dark
> complexion, slight in figure, rather high-pitched voice, somewhat given
> to gesticulating freely while reading, and thoroughly in earnest while
> at work."
> 
> 
> http://bscottholmes.com/content/promoting-huck-finn-twain-cable-tour-188485
> 
> 
> --
>  There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of
>                           in your philosophy.
>                         http://bscottholmes.com=