RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. 



3^5 



view from my house. This threw me into a sort of panic. Then came the 

 charge of poisoning my uncle to get his property, with an imperative demand 

 that the grave should be opened. This drove me to the verge of distraction. 

 On top of this I was accused of employing toothless and incompetent old rela- 

 tives to prepare the food for the foundling hospital when I was warden. I was 

 wavering — wavering. And at last, as a due and fitting climax to the shameless 

 persecution that party rancor had inflicted upon me, nine little toddling children, 



of all shades of color and degrees of raggedness, were taught to rush on to the 

 platform at a public meeting, and clasp me around the legs and call me Pa ! 



I gave it up. I hauled down my colors and surrendered. I was not equal to 

 the requirements of a Gubernatorial campaign in the State of New York, and 

 so I sent in my withdrawal from the candidacy, and in bitterness of spirit signed 

 it, " Truly yours, once a decent man, but now 



Mark Twain, I. P., M. T., B. S., D. T., F. C, and L. E." 



