Vol 3 Section 0888

March 1. Good-night, Livy darling, I am very busy planning the elopement, & I think I shall soon have it all ciphered out. Horseback & close—carriages are not used any more in elopements, they have gone out; but a bycicle is proper; & so is the mobile—this in cases where they used to use a wheelbarrow. I love you very very dearly, sweetheart: Goodnight. / Y [MTP].

Sam’s notebook: “We may not doubt that society in heaven consists mainly of undesirable persons” [MTB

1195; NB 46 TS 11].

Augusta Gregory inscribed a copy of Poets and Dreamers; Studies from Translations from the Irish, by Lady Gregory: “To ‘Mark Twain’ with very kind regards from August Gregory / March 1903” [MTP]. Note: given as 03.01 to 03.07.

Clinton Scollard wrote a one-page note to Sam from Clinton, Mass.. “I wish to thank you with all my heart for your kind letter of sympathy” [MTP]. Note: Sam’s sympathy letter is not extant.

March 2 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Charles S. Fairchild, now in N.Y.C.

I have forgotten Dr. Hillier’s number in Wimpole street, but the London Directory will know. If by chance Hillier should be out of the Co., I hope he will give you an introduction to some good friend of his who is still in—or to Samuel Bergheim (Director.)

The news you give me of the Cashier is very splendid. It makes me feel very gay indeed.

Mrs. Clemens gains a little, we think—a very very little, indeed; but we are thankful it isn’t retrogression.

I hope you will have a lovely voyage & come back the healthier and heartier for it.

[After his signature:]

I was in town to-day, & part of my errand was to give you a note to Dr. Hillier; but I got belated, and was just about to write it here, when your letter [not extant] arrived [MTP]. Note: Harold Wright had formerly supplied Dr. Alfred P. Hillier’s address on Wimpole St.

Sam’s notebook : “Dinner. Rogers. Salvation Army. General Booth. / Sent $614 to Lincoln Bank from 26

B’Way—by mail” [NB 46 TS 11]. Note: the dinner may have been canceled or postponed. 26 Broadway was

Rogers’ office, where Sam often visited, ate lunch, or stayed.

William D. McCrackan wrote to Sam. “It has occurred to me that our little “episode of the letters” cannot be considered quite closed, until I have returned to you your own magnificent letter. I have treasured it…” [MTP]. Note: letter on letterhead for: Christian Science Publication Committee, for NY.

March 3 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Dr. & Mrs. Rice here. Dinner. / [Horiz. Line separator] / The morals of a God ought to be minutely perfect. I would not worship a God that made the fly” [NB 46 TS 11].

Mr. and Mrs. J. Doe wrote from Seattle, Wash. to Sam, complimenting him on the “Sitting in Darkness” article [MTP].

Frederick W. Peabody wrote from Boston to Sam. “Mr. John W. Reeder is now the President of the [Christian Science] church here and the head of directors is the same as in 1899” [MTP].

March 4 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frank Bliss.

“Church Manual of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston.”

I want a copy of this little book—right away, if possible—for 1902. (I have an old copy.)

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