A colleague (whose grandparents, interestingly enough, were employed by
Twain as house servants during the 1901 summer at Saranac Lake) poses a
question that someone on the list can perhaps answer.  In his family's
possession is an inscribed and signed Twain volume.  The inscription goes
something like this:  "Signing the pledge will not make bad liquor into
good, but it will improve it."  He's curious whether Twain has quoted
himself here or has coined an original witticism.  Does the aphorism ring
any bells with anyone?
 
Thanks,
Steve Jobe
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Steve Jobe
Department of English
Hanover College
P.O. Box 108
Hanover, Indiana  47243-0108
Office:  (812) 866-7203
E-mail:  [log in to unmask]