It was not easy to take up the daily struggle again, but it was
necessary.--[Clemens once declared he had been so blue at this period
that one morning he put a loaded pistol to his head, but found he lacked
courage to pull the trigger.]--Out of the ruck of possibilities (his
brain always thronged with plans) he constructed three or four resolves.
The chief of these was the trip around the world; but that lay months
ahead, and in the mean time ways and means must be provided. Another
intention was to finish the Hornet article, and forward it to Harper's
Magazine--a purpose carried immediately into effect. To his delight
the article found acceptance, and he looked forward to the day of its
publication as the beginning of a real career. He intended to follow
it up with a series on the islands, which in due time might result in
a book and an income. He had gone so far as to experiment with a
dedication for the book--an inscription to his mother, modified later
for use in 'The Innocents Abroad'. A third plan of action was to take
advantage of the popularity of the Hawaiian letters, and deliver a
lecture on the same subject. But this was a fearsome prospect--he
trembled when he thought of it. As Governor of the Third House he had
been extravagantly received and applauded, but in that case the position
of public entertainer had been thrust upon him. To come forward now,
offering himself in the same capacity, was a different matter. He
believed he could entertain, but he lacked the courage to declare
himself; besides, it meant a risk of his slender capital. He confided
his situation to Col. John McComb, of the Alta California, and was
startled by McComb's vigorous endorsement.
“Do it, by all means!” urged McComb. “It will be a grand success--I know
it! Take the largest house in town, and charge a dollar a ticket.”
Frightened but resolute, he went to the leading theater manager the same
Tom Maguire of his verses--and was offered the new opera-house at half
rates. The next day this advertisement appeared:
MAGUIRE'S ACADEMY OF MUSIC
PINE STREET, NEAR MONTGOMERY