Vol 3 Section 0499
I received your letter of 15th concerning my father, and sincerely thank you. I appreciate your good opinion of his taste and judgment in literary matters.
Of all your books, I like “Tom Sawyer” best. He was a real boy. The nauseating, “goody-goody” Sunday School boy, is not a native product. Every normal man, has, in his history, a good deal of “Tom,” and those of us raised along the river know him thoroughly. I want to thank you for writing our boyhood biography. ….
[MTP].
December 21 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Sir Martin / N.E. Dinner—to-day or tomorrow” [NB 43 TS 32].
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Irving Bacheller, declining an invitation. He had not accepted one since Nov. 12 and “declined an average of three a day ever since—the last three from my own home (Hartford).” He added that “The book charmed me!” [MTP]. Note: See Dec. 5 and 14 for, Eben Holden; A Tale of the North Country. Also see Gribben 36.
Sam also wrote to N.Y. attorney Augustus T. Gurlitz discussing a possible lawsuit against Chicago Butler Brothers, and a “big Brooklyn store” for issuing and selling an unauthorized edition of the “Library of Wit and Humor by Mark Twain.” Sam wanted to send the compiler of the book, Eli Perkins, to jail. He also wanted to sue “every large store in New York (for heavy damages) caught selling that book,” which bore his name but which was not his [MTP: MS Sotheby Parke-Bernet, N.Y.].
John Y. MacAlister wrote to Sam, enclosing a cheque rec’d for director’s fees to the end of the year. “I was very pleased to note the go ahead way in which Cook is carrying on the American business.” He was sending copies of the new prospectus, though he thought it “too high toned for the public” [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s reply on Dec. 31.
December 22 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “N.E. Dinner. To-day [?] Go at 9.30? or 10? / Dinner Tablock—
7.30” [NB 43 TS 32]. Note: John Tatlock?
At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote again to Augustus T. Gurlitz.
I hope you can look in here anytime to-day before 6 (or 7) this evening, as I am going to dine at 8 away out toward 90th street, & I leave for Elmira, New York, for several days Monday morning at 9.
Or, can you come to me to-morrow (Sunday) any hour in the day—I am here all day [MTP: MS Sotheby Parke-Bernet, N.Y.].
Sam’s letter to Russell E. Watson, written shortly before this day, appeared in the N.Y. Sun, p.6.
DEAR SIR: The high compliment which you and the junior class are paying me might afford a text for another man, but it naturally leaves the complimentee dumb—further than to express his hearty thanks, which I do; and am yours very sincerely,
MARK TWAIN.
On Jan. 2, 1901, Harper & Brothers billed Sam for some books (unspecified) for his personal use giving this the date of purchase [1901 Financials file MTP].
Augustus T. Gurlitz wrote to Sam. “I have your favor of the 21st and beg to say that the plan which I have formed for your matter is as follows:” to bring action against the Brooklyn infringer asking for $5,000 in damages, and applying for an injunction. Also to bring action on the same grounds against the N.Y.C. infringers, though he had found only one so far. He had obtained an affidavit from Stedman to use in the case [MTP]. Note: this related to the Library of Humor piracies.
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.