The Rev. Charles D. Crane was born Feb. 1849 in New Jersey. Crane was later affiliated with the Maine Christian Endeavor Union for many years. When he left the Maine Christian Endeavor Union in 1908, the _Daily Kennebec Journal_ (of Augusta, Maine) printed a long speech by Crane in their Sept. 7, 1908 edition. In his speech, Crane made a plea for members to continue to support the publication _Pine Tree Endeavorer_. It seems feasible Twain's reply about his favorite books and authors may have later appeared in this publication or been used in a sermon. A follow up letter from Twain to Crane, written a few days later on Jan. 24, 1887 is available in the Mark Twain Papers and could provide additional insight. Barb