Vol 3 Section 0840

She not only is sweet and attractive, entirely lacking any disagreeable qualities but she is also a pleasure for she has a cheerful manner and way which are particularly welcome in a house at time of illness & consequent depression

I am so glad we have her & I know my Mother will be when she knows her.

I see her very little & still have quite an affection for her [Trombley, MT’s Other Woman 20; Lystra 38].

Note: Clara’s view would indeed change about Lyon.

December 11 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote one sentence to Connecticut Magazine. “It is a fine and great magazine and I feel a strong interest in it, and a strong pride as well” [MTP].

Sam also replied to Frederick W. Peabody’s Dec. 10.

I shall not be through with what I have to say in the N. A. Review about Mrs. Eddy & Xn Science until the April number.

Do you mean to tell me that my private letters are not safe in your hands?

You want to go pretty carefully, now, & not make any mistake [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Louise M. Still, on the staff of Harper’s Bazar, enclosing the Dec. 9 Baltimore note from W.W. Stickley (whose name was crossed out in pen by Sam). “This is Obituary No. 82, & is full of

suggestion / SLC” [MTP].

William Denison McCrackan wrote to Sam. Upon his return to NYC the day before, McCrackan found Sam’s Dec. 9 letter about his plans for the Christian Science articles in the NAR and for a book to follow. He suggested Sam might get an idea of Mary Baker Eddy from those who knew her, naming several, including Gen. Frank Streeter, head of the bar in N.H. [MTP].

December 12 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to Daniel Carter Beard’s Dec. 10.

You are right—it is never too late to say the kindly word, when one can say it as heartily & cheeringly as you do. You have done great work in great causes, & I have walked by your side. We have our reward: the consciousness that your child (whom God preserve!) & my children will not be ashamed of us when we pass on.

Peace & prosperity be with you & yours always, Dan Beard. And my love therewith [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Barbara Mullen, of Hannibal High School.

It is touching to me, & fills me with grateful pride to be so remembered & so honored in my old home; & I thank you, & beg that you will thank the class for me.

That same old portrait! This time it is “Mark Twain at 67”—I am thankful for that improvement. I have seen that caricature in the four quarters of the globe—it is the one always used—& have duly blackguarded it. Why, do you know, it has been doing duty ever since I was 18. Sarony made it & 16 others, & it was the worst negative in the lot. I never stopped damning him until he died & went into more competent hands.

Yes, I will send you a picture presently, & gladly. I sat for one in Princeton a short time ago when I attended the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson. It may be good, it may be bad, but any way it will be better than that Sarony libel; so I will send for a sample & forward it to you [MTP].

James B. Pond wrote to Sam, enclosing a rather inscrutable “HISTORY TEST” about Greek Games, Delphi and their beliefs about death. No letter or note directly to Sam is included, and no envelope is in the file [MTP].

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