Vol 3 Section 0566
April 3 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “The Barber’s Opinion. / Dutchy (Chief) / John Lewis (assistant). / Italian Beppo, (sub.) / Mike (Irish) ” [NB 44 TS 8].
Sam wrote to New York Central Recreation and Information Bureau.
“Will you please send me, by the messenger, any printed matter you may have concerning quiet summer quarters on the D. & H. RR. When I spoke of this matter last Saturday you thought you might be able to supply me on Monday, but I have been ill in bed ever since. / Very Truly Yours/ Mark Twain [written up on the left margin of the letter:] What I want in a dwelling-house on very high ground on a lake” [MTP: Fraser’s Autographs, Sale Feb. 2010]. Note: Delaware & Hudson R.R. Sam spoke before 150 persons the prior Saturday at the YMCA; the Poughkeepsie Eastman Club, an organization of alumni of the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie. The man addressed is not identified.
April 4 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam sent a postcard to his attorney Augustus T. Gurlitz.
“Name the day & hour—so that I can be here when you come” [MTP: Sotheby’s, NY, 11 Dec. 1990, Item 382].
Sam wrote to Mrs. Presley K. Ewing, president of the Ladies’ Reading Club in Houston, Texas. “Dear Madam: I should dearly like to say yes, but I am not able to do it. I have retired from the platform permanently—as I hope—though I believe that at this moment U should regret it if Texas were not so far away. / Sincerely yours, S.L. Clemens” [MTP]. Note: Mrs. Ewing’s invitation is not extant.
Frank Bliss wrote to Sam:
“I have a letter from a Mrs. Mary E. Phillips, a New York lady who says she is preparing a book, a compilation I should judge, for children of all ages, and she wants to make two extracts from your books….What shall I tell this woman? She says she has your permission to make these extracts.”
On or after receipt of this letter Sam replied: “Come! This is not fair. It is a publisher’s business to deny these requests. An author can’t do it without seeming uncourteous to his fellow-craftsmen [MTP]. Note: on Feb. 14 Sam had referred Phillips to Bliss; his note did not give permission.
April 5 Friday
April 6 Saturday – Thomas B. Reed wrote to Sam, a typed letter on his law offices letterhead, 10 Wall Street. He included a prospectus. Reed suggests “You and Mr. Rogers and I take this whole thing.” He explained it was a solicitation for stock in a Maine corporation that would offer each poor man twenty acres to farm, give him board and lodging, etc. and make him worth $10,000 in five years [MTP]. Note: On Apr. 11 Sam forwarded the letter and prospectus along with his note, to Emilie R. Rogers
(Fatout’s listing for a Smith College Luncheon is in error; see Apr. 7, 1906 entry.)
April 7 Sunday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a postcard to his attorney Augustus T. Gurlitz.
“It is not likely that I can leave the house for some days to come. I am still bedridden” [MTP: Sotheby’s, NY, 11 Dec.
1990, Item 382].
April 8 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Mrs. Day, dinner” [NB 44 TS 8].
Augustus T. Gurlitz wrote to Sam. “I was very sorry to receive your card this morning informing me that you were still laid up…. The case [Kipling’s] has been put over until tomorrow and your attendance may not be required until in the afternoon.” Gurlitz also reported that Butler Brothers wanted to settle out of court and Gurlitz asked them
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.