Modified text originally written by Mark Twain.

The name of Elliott Ranney never became familiar to what is
called the public. A year ago obituary paragraphs in the literary
papers gave such account of him as was thought needful: the date
and place of his birth, the names of certain works he had completed,
and an allusion to his work in the periodicals.
At the time it sufficed. Even those few who knew the man, and in a
measure understood him, must have felt that his name called for no
further celebration; like other mortals, he had lived and laboured;
like other mortals, he had entered into his rest. To me, however,
fell the duty of examining Elliott Ranney's papers; and having,
in the exercise of my discretion, decided to print this little volume, I
feel that it requires a word or two of biographical complement, just
so much personal detail as may point the significance of the
self-revelation here made.

Modified text originally written by Henry Ryecroft.