The Mysterious Stranger

H.L. Mencken wrote of Mark Twain I believe that he was the true father of our national literature the first genuinely American artist of the blood royal. Father Mark Twain is. And brother friend and wise old grandpa. But no offense to Mr. Mencken: Saml Clemens is American and there aint no royalty around here ceptin maybe the Duke or someone like that. Unless its the Prince and the Pauper or King Arthur in Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court. Hank the Yankee asks You know about transmigration of souls; do you know about transposition of epochs -- and bodies? Wit ye well I saw it done. Then after a pause added: I did it myself. Just like Mark Twain -- Samuel Langhorne Clemens. -- From Amy Sterling Casils Introduction