Major J.B. Pond has brought before the public for three readings in this city the names Mark Twain and George W. Cable, and they have proved a powerful attraction among the most cultivated and intelligent people of this city. The first reading was given last night at Association Hall, where a very select audience assembled, filling three circles of the pretty auditorium." From The Philadelphia Inquirer 1884: November 22 Touring with Cable and Huck

Sam wrote from Philadelphia to Livy:

“Livy darling, a most noble big audience, & a most prodigious good time. We are to be here again Wednesday afternoon & evening, 26 th —the day before thanksgiving. I must straight to bed, for we rise at 6 in the morning, & talk twice in Brooklyn tomorrow” [MTP].

George Cable wrote on the back of his Philadelphia program to his wife, Lucy:

“Mark is on the platform, there goes a roar of applause! We have a superb audience—both in numbers & quality—& we are beating ourselves. Mark says as he passes me on the retiring room steps 'Old boy, you're doing nobly’ ” [Turner, MT & GWC 60].