Vol 3 Section 0833
George B. Harvey forwarded to Sam copies of the regrets and acceptances for his 67th birthday celebration dinner [MTP].
John P. Hermann wrote from St. Louis to Sam offering an “obituary” for his Harper’s Weekly contest:
“He lies here still as he did before” [MTP].
Frederick William Peabody (b. 1862), member of the law firm of Peabody, Baker, and Peabody; and an outspoken critic of Christian Science, wrote to Sam, enclosing a copy of his address on Christian Science, and “shall be greatly obliged for our perfectly candid opinion of it” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “Author of the pamphlet”
G.W. Potts wrote from Asbury Park, N.J. to Sam, offering an “obituary” for his Harper’s Weekly contest
[MTP].
Charles W. Stoddard wrote from Washington, D.C.—twice to Sam. In the first note he advised he’d heard from Harriott and got his check for $250 “on a/c”, though Stoddard wasn’t sure what that meant. Perhaps forgetful? Stoddard sent another note, again saying he’d rec’d the check and hoped it was good
[MTP].
Randolf Stuart wrote from Nelson, B.C., Canada to Sam offering an “obituary” for his Harper’s Weekly contest [MTP].
December 3 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Jean, Katy & I returned from the Elmira wedding” [NB 45 TS 34].
Note: Sam dared not travel alone with Jean due to her epilepsy, and so took Katy along, who had family in Elmira.
December 4 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frederick C. Harriott who had coughed up part of the $500 owing Charles W. Stoddard. For weeks Sam and William Dean Howells had been acting in Stoddard’s behalf to recover money owed from Harriott, a literary agent in Boston.
I have letters from Mr. Stoddard in which he acknowledges the receipt of your check for two hundred and fifty dollars on account. It will be a pleasure to me to report this to the publishers and editors with whom and for whom I am acting in this matter. I wish you had sent Stoddard the remaining hundred and fifty dollars and finished the incident. I think it ought to be sent to him at once, together with the three mss (“Over a Wall.” “Three Days of Grace”, and “The Tales of Two Ulsters”) then he will report to me. I am purposely saying nothing about a commission from Stoddard to you; you will concede, yourself, that a charge for your services would add but little to the gravity of the situation [MTP].
Sam also wrote to James B. Pond, who evidently had crossed a line of Sam’s.
You are making it very hard for me. Don’t do that. In my lecturing days I met my obligations toward friends and charities, and I shall never deliver another public lecture. When I do a private one it has to be in a private dwelling, and not elsewhere. There must be a pledge, on honor, that no mention shall be made of it in print, by poster, advertisement or newspaper reference; that the house shall be strictly closed against newspaper reporters; and that all possible means be used to keep the matter out of print, both before and after the lecture; finally that the tickets shall be at a good price and not a cheap one; if the audience cannot be gathered by private invitation, then there is to be no audience. I have one such engagement at present, and shall fill it; I had another but cancelled it, because I found that a newspaper man knew about it. I know that these are fiendish conditions but I can’t modify them. If you want to take a chance in them I’m your man [MTP]. Note: Sam also wrote that Livy “makes a little progress.”
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.