"In Twain's notebook: "Came Mr. White, representing the N.Y. Journal with two cablegrams from his paper. (1) 'If Mark Twain dying in poverty, in London, send 500 words.' (2) 'Later. If Mark Twain has died in poverty send 1000 words.'" Twain's response: "James Ross Clemens, a cousin, was seriously ill here two or three weeks ago, but is well now. The report of my illness grew out of his illness; the report of my death was an exaggeration. I have not been ill. Mark Twain."