Vol 3 Section 0624

Booklovers Library, Yonkers, NY, per R.B.H. wrote to Sam of their weekly delivery schedule to Riverdale, and asked if he wished to change his service from five books at a time to three [MTP].

Thomas B. Reed, lawyer with Reed, Simpson, Thacher & Barnum, wrote to Sam, explaining R.G. Newbegin’s story of selling “500 copies [of the Popular edition of “Mark Twain”] to another agent, W.I. Squire, of Toledo,” admitting “freely that such circulars were entirely unauthorized by you….” Reed then

pointed out the danger that Newbegin and Squire were in, violating New York statutes. Reed thought nothing more might be said, unless Sam wanted to do “something …with regards to Squires” [MTP].

October 6 Sunday

October 7 Monday – R.G. Newbegin wrote to Sam that Thomas Reed had called his attention to the fact that a letter had been sent in their company name “reported to have been signed by you.” Newbegin blamed W.I. Squire, another agent in Toledo, Ohio; he understood Sam’s indignation, was sorry that the matter occurred, and would do their best to see it didn’t happen again. He confided Reed’s assertion that the act was “forgery in the third degree” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “Newbegin’s account of the fraudulent circular.

Edmund C. Stedman wrote to Sam:

My Dear Clemens=

Imprimis [Latin: in the first place]= Don’t answer this letter. A letter that needs no reply is the only one I care to receive. But let us confess that it was different when we were—not sages, but lovers.

My first cousin, William E. Dodge, tells me that he is almost your next-door neighbor, and is going to pay his respects to you—but feels that you are in Riverdale for peace and seclusion; and he evidently wished me to let you know that he comprehends all that in advance. He goes to Riverdale himself—and has these thirty years—to get peace & seclusion. Now, he is one of the whitest men on earth, able, cultured, hospitable, companionable.

Stedman added that Livy would find the Dodge ladies “equally nice.” “Of course, W.E.D. is an out-and-out nabob, but I have easily forgiven him that, and he don’t mind my poverty.” He ended by saying after his Yale Bicentennial poem “comes off, on the 23d,” he wanted Sam to read it [MTP].

October 8 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Edmund Clarence Stedman in Bronxville, N.Y.

Mr. Dodge gave me the valued accommodation of a lift up the hill the other day, & although he wouldn’t come in at that time he promised that he & his family would come & see us later—we hope the contract will be made good. Yes, I am here for peace & repose…we are not of those who desire the peace & repose of the hermit or the convict.

Sam also agreed to read “that poem” and so would Livy, whom he called Stedman’s “appreciative friend…in whose heart you have permanent lodgement” [MTP]. Note: William E. Dodge. See Gribben 661 on Stedman.

The New York Press, p.3 ran “Mark Twain Won’t Be Stump Speaker,” consisting of six short paragraphs

quoting Sam on his activity in the current mayoral election [Budd, “Supplement” ALR 16.1 (Spring 1983) 69]. Budd’s

no. 169a. Also in MTCI 403-4.

The New York Evening Post, p. 3, ran a short interview article, “Why Mark Twain is for Seth Low.”

“How will you vote, Mr. Clemens?”

SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.