A MARK TWAIN STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14214, 10 November 1909, Page 9

A MARK TWAIN STORY.

Mark Twain was censuring the extravagance of Americans. "Just consider," he said, "these new travelling bath tube. I understand they're getting as common as electric elevators. A reporter was telling me about them. He' called on a cotton broker one Sunday morning. The man received him in his dressing-room, and after their business talk was over the wonders of the house were taken no. " The broker boasted rfbocit his Raphaels and hardwood floors, his light plant and French furniture, his gold-plated plumbing and Gobelins, but he boasted above all about his travelling bath-tub. "'lt's onyx,' he said, 'a lovely golden shade. It runs by electricity, on tiny pneumatic tires, smooth and silent. Whenever I don't feel disposed to leave this room it comes in here, to mo rilled, just as I like it, with genuine Atlantic Ocean, brought up from Coney, and warmed to 80 degrees. It comes in any time I push this button.' " ' Push it now, said the reporter, curiously. , . " The button was pushed, the doors slid magically open, and the great onyx bath glided in stately silence into the room. But in.it sat the raillionaire'e astonished little girl.'' ,