Letter from William Dean Howells to Edmund Clarence Stedman

302 [B ?] st. Boston, Feb. 1, 1885 Dear Mr. Stedman: I hardly know what to suggest of Mark Twain's earlier work, unless it is The Jumping Frog, and that is too hackneyed. There is no episode in The Prince & Pauper that I can now think of, which would be serious except that of the woman breast of the stone. (Chap. called "In Prison") and that seems too tragic, though it might do, [from fun taken the ?] in Tom Sawyer (Chap.V.) of the

boy playing with the punching bag in church. I am sorry I can't do better at present. If you'll write me later, when it [moves ?] to the selections for the book itself, perhaps I can help. With kindest regards to your father, Yours sincerely H. D. Howells