CHAPTERS FROM MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY .-- II.
BY MARK TWAIN.
II.
My experiences as an author began early in 1867.

I came to New York from San Francisco in the first month of that year and presently Charles H.
Webb, whom I had known in San Francisco as a reporter on _The Bulletin_, and afterward editor of _The Californian_, suggested that I publish a volume of sketches.

I had but a slender reputation to publish it on, but I was charmed and excited by the suggestion and quite willing to venture it if some industrious person would save me the trouble of gathering the sketches together.

I was loath to do it myself, for from the beginning of my sojourn in this world there was a persistent vacancy in me where the industry ought to be.

("Ought to was" is better, perhaps, though the most of the authorities differ as to this.) Webb said I had some reputation in the Atlantic States, but I knew quite well that it must be of a very attenuated sort.