23 December 1884 • 2nd of 2 (MS, in pencil, on blank telegram form: NPV, UCCL 03067)
the western union telegraph company.
half rate message.
the business of telegraphing is liable to errors and delays, arising from causes which cannot at all times be guarded against, including sometimes negligence of servants and agents whom it is necessary to employ. most errors and delays may be prevented by repetition, for which, during the day, half price extra is charged in addition to the full tariff rates.
the western union telegraph company will receive messages, to be sent without repetition during the night, for delivery not earlier than the morning of the next ensuing business day, at one half the usual day rates, but in no case for less than twenty-five cents tolls for a single message, and upon the express condition that the sender will agree that he will not claim damages for errors or delays, or for non-delivery of such messages, happening from any cause, beyond a sum equal to ten times the amount paid for transmission; and that no claim for damages shall be valid unless presented in writing within thirty days after sending the message.
messages will be delivered free within the established free delivery limits of the terminal office. for delivery at a greater distance a special charge will be made to cover the cost of such delivery, the sender hereby guaranteeing payment thereof.
the company will be responsible to the limit of its lines only, for messages destined beyond, but will act as the sender’s agent to deliver the message to connecting companies or carriers, without charge and without liability.
a.r. brewer, Secretary. norvin green, President.
send the following half rate message, subject
to the above terms, which are agreed to.
Dec. 23/84 188
to Dear Charley—Damn that Western Union, give Worden a permanent order to sell it at 60.
☞read the notice and agreement at the top.
MS, in pencil, on blank telegram form, Jean Webster McKinney Family Papers, Special Collections, NPV. “This message, on a telegraph blank in Mark Twain’s writing, went by mail; but it is quite possible that he presented it first at the telegraph office as a delicate reproof, knowing full well that its profanity would bar it from the wires” (MTBus, 286). As for the note being barred from the wires, see SLC to Charles Webster, 22 December 1884, UCCL 03033, which was also written by SLC on a blank telegram form and contains no profanity.
MTBus, 286.
see McKinney Family Papers in Description of Provenanceclick to open letter.