In a message dated 9/14/2006 11:33:34 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: On 9/14/06 12:32 PM, "David H Fears" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >> IT was indeed a term Sam often used in his letters--it does not appear >> in his works?? Please elucidate this gray head with your ivory-tower >> enlightenment. >Your purple prose is mildly endearing, but I said phrase, not term. The >phrase "Nigger Jim," guys, does not appear in AHF. I am relieved. I'd supposed some menopausal, obstreperous, windbag at the Concord Public Library had sconced Old Jim right out of the story--or worse, coppered him to be Puerto-Rican or French. My other qualities may be somewhat more endearing--however, Sam was fond of the purple pencil, and that's good enough for me. David H Fears PS...my copy of A Readers Guide to the Short Stories of Mark Twain, by James D. Wilson 1987, arrived yesterday and I can highly recommend the tome for anyone wishing publication history, critical analyses and clear discussions of each story's relationship to other works by Sam.