May 5, 1853 (Thursday)

Entry Date: May 5, 1853 (Thursday)

Entry: Orion once again left the Journal in Sam’s hands. Sam printed three stanzas of vernacular humor in verse “The Heart’s Lament,” dated May 4, under the pen name, “Rambler,” one he would use again in 1858 for the St. Louis Missouri Democrat. The rival Messenger paper was outselling the Journal, now a daily, and Sam was overburdened with getting the paper out. Brother Henry Clemens was a slow and careless typesetter, who probably didn’t like the work; Sam had to keep long hours to correct Henry’s errors [Wecter 257; ET&S 1: 88-90].

Author: David H. Fears

---

1) People Mentioned:

• Orion Clemens
• Samuel Langhorne Clemens
• Henry Clemens

---

2) Corporate Bodies Mentioned:

• Hannibal Journal *
• Missouri Democrat *
• Hannibal Messenger *

---

3) Places Mentioned:

• St. Louis, Missouri

---

4) Publications Mentioned:

a) Samuel Clemens' Publications Mentioned:

• The Heart's Lament *

c) References:

• Wecter 257; ET&S 1 : 88-90