I believe, and I could be wrong, that it was William Dean Howells that recounted the kitten in the corner pocket story. Dustin Zima -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wed, Aug 4, 2010 8:11 pm Subject: Re: mark twain and billiards Hi Heather, I know someone will be able to answer your specific question--probably already has--but you might like to know a little thing about billiards that Caroline Harnsberger once related to mem which she heard from Clara--I'm not sure if it appears elsewhere: that besides his making up his own rules while playing billliards, he would sometimes put a kitten in the pocket his opponent was aiming at, and of course she would swat any balls away that came close to that pocket. Hope you are having a lovely summer, Heather. Persevere. Richard > >