25 November 1865
This sketch formed the second section of Clemens' 25 November 1865 letter from San Francisco to the Napa County Reporter.1 The pianist who provides Clemens with this slight joke, George Felix Benkert, is remembered today chiefly as the composer of several songs and as a teacher of John Philip Sousa. According to a report published two days before Clemens wrote his letter, Benkert had sailed for San Francisco on November 16. He would give his first San Francisco concert on 7 June 1866 at the Academy of Music.2 As Clemens doubtless knew, mining boots manufactured by L. and C. Benkert Company of Philadelphia were distributed through the company's agent, another George F. Benkert, at 210 Pine Street in San Francisco. The boots were widely advertised, and used, in California and Washoe mining camps.
The papers announce that Geo. F. Benkert, an eminent pianist of Philadelphia, is on his way out here to give us some concerts. Now, don't you know that fellow will be mighty popular in California? Certainly he will. That is, if he is the same man who makes the boots. The boys all like those Benkert boots, and they will patronize their manufacturer's concerts liberally. Up in the mining towns they will just take it for granted that it is the boot-making Benkert, unless they are specially notified that it is not, and they will go to the concerts reflecting thus: “Dang this feller, I like his boots, and so I'll give him a hyste with his music.” AndⒶemendation I think it will astonish this Benkert some, in the mining camps, to look across the top of his piano, and see the feet of his male patrons, propped on the backs of the benches, and long gleaming rows of bran-new hob-nailed Benkert boots staring him in the face! The boys will naturally hit upon this method of paying him a delicate and appreciative compliment.
The first printing in the Napa County Reporter for 25 November 1865 (p.2) is copy-text. Copy: PH from Bancroft. There are no textual notes.