It's also not so difficult to credit that editor with having his tongue 
in his cheek.

Kevin
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------ Original Message ------
From: "Clay Shannon" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 9/2/2019 11:47:43 AM
Subject: Twain was pulling Orion's leg, right?

>In a February 6, 1862 letter to his brother Orion, Twain described a visit to a fortune-teller, in which he quotes her as saying many things about his brother (Orion), such as, "..he is too visionary--is always flying off on a new hobby; this will never do--tell him I said so." &c
>
>To me, it's pretty obvious that Twain is pulling Orion's leg, or trying to counsel him, by relating this "conversation."
>The editor of Twain's letters, though, seems to take Twain's account as "gospel," though, writing:
>"It is not so difficult to credit Madame Caprell with clairvoyant powers when one has read the letters of Samuel Clemens up to this point."
>My reaction is, "What!?! Don't you know Twain was a kidder from the cradle and remained one all his life? And that he would not miss an opportunity to tease his brother thus?"
>What do y'all think?
>- B. Clay Shannon
>