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SPECIAL FEATURE

HARTFORD DAILY COURANT,
February 28, 1906, p. 3

MARK TWAIN PAYS TRIBUTE TO SERVANT.
HERE TO ATTEND FUNERAL OF PATRICK McALEER.
ONE OF THE FINEST HUMAN BEINGS THE HUMORIST EVER KNEW.

Entered His Employ at Mrs. Clemens's Marriage -- Was a Faithful, Loyal Man who Never Forgot Anything.

Samuel L. Clemens, once a resident of this city, returned here yesterday to attend the funeral of his old and faithful servant, Patrick McAleer, which takes place this morning. Mr. Clemens will be the guest of Rev. Joseph H. Twichell during his stay here, which will terminate tomorrow afternoon, when he will return to New York. Mr. Clemens, when seen yesterday afternoon, paid a high tribute to his former servant as he said: --

"I have never known a finer human being than Patrick McAleer and I never knew him to be in error but once in my life. That was when, in talking with another of my servants, he said he had been in my employ for thirty-five years.

"Thirty-five years, he said it was, but in reality it was ten years less. In making his calculation Patrick counted in the ten years we spent abroad without him. He seemed to feel that it was not his fault that we went away and that our absence ought not to count in reckoning up his term of service.

"In all the time he was with Mrs. Clemens and myself he never ran out. I have had other servants who would say, 'Mr. Clemens, I forgot and there isn't a cigar in the house,' but that never happened with Patrick McAleer, for he never forgot anything and I never had to give him an order.

"He was just the age of Mrs. Clemens and he entered my employ the day before I was married. He was as full of life as a watch spring and he know everything there was to know about his business. His life ought to rank with that of great soldiers, statesmen and chief justices, for they were no more proficient in their professions than he was in his.

"He was with me last summer in Dublin, N.H., and it did not seem to me that he was a day older than he was when he first entered my employ. His hair was just as black as it ever was and he was just as efficient. I did not give him an order during the summer and he did not need one; he knew just what I wanted. I shall never find a man more faithful, loyal and honest than he was."

The regard which the Clemens family had for Mr. McAleer is evidenced by the appearance of the great humorist in this city. Mr. Clemens and family have sent a large floral wreath to the McAleer home bearing this inscription: --

"In loving remembrance of Patrick McAleer, faithful and valued friend of our family for 36 years. S. L. Clemens, Clara L. Clemens, Jane Clemens."

While Mr. Clemens was evidently pleased to see Hartford, he seemed fatigued by his journey from New York to this city. He will leave here for his New York home on the 5:05 p.m. train tomorrow afternoon.