Vol 3 Section 0922

The telegraph is a slow vehicle; I shall use the telephone henceforth. Dear sweetheart, good-day—I am going to take a large nap, now. I do love you so, dearheart [MTP].

May 18 Monday – In Fairhaven, Mass. Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore: “P.S. You know you want to take a N.Y. draft, Brer—a Hartford check isn’t worth so much” [MTP].

May 19 Tuesday – Sam returned to Riverdale, N.Y. either the night before or this day. He returned at least part way on Rogers’ yacht Kanawha [MTHHR 528n1].

Sam’s notebook: “Mr. Rogers made $95,000 for … some years ago; he speculated & lost it. Got another start; now has bought U.S. Steel Common at 42 on a margin & got sold out at 18—leaving him ‘broke’ & in a position to need $70,000, which Mr. Rogers has furnished him on a mortgage of some land saved from the former wreck” [NB 46 TS 16]. Note: the unlucky investor Sam kept anonymous. Possibly one of his Rogers’ son-in-laws?

May 20 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers.

I believe it would have been a good scheme for you to make that trip yesterday & return without going ashore. Well, no—it wouldn’t. Because there was no insurance on the weather. As it turned out, the weather was perfect—cool without being cold, & the water as slick as glass. We came through like a wireless dispatch—9 hours from anchorage to anchorage. I came within 2 minutes of catching the 4.31 train. Could have caught it if there had been occasion to hurry.

Clara had a desperate day Monday, with intolerable pains in the chest & throat, but they had to be endured—alleviating drugs could not be given because of the measles. Temperature 104. She was better yesterday & is still better this morning—temperature normal. Calomel is in fashion again in the best measles circles, & Clara’s teeth are all loose, in consequence.

Jean is up & out again, & Mrs. Clemens is proceeding satisfactorily.

I suppose you are watching the Harriman case with interest. The evening papers will tell us about the operation, no doubt. I should think they would take him to the hospital, as there is scarlet fever in his house.

The difference between this air & that of Fairhaven is extraordinary. I tell you this heat & humidity are oppressive—you will certainly find your profit in staying where you are. My trip did me a lot of good—the air, the billiards, the driving, the yacht trip, the social cussing & discussing, & the spiritual healing conferred by immersion in that simple Christian tank all contributed; my back is straight again, & I am what the English call “fit.”

I am sending my love & the madam’s. I do not know what to do with the enclosed application. I do not know these persons; still, for the Company’s sake I would not let a chance like this go by if I were you

[MTHHR 527-8]. Note: Edward Henry Harriman (1848-1909), railroad executive, had an appendectomy on May 20 [n2].

Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam (and Livy) to Franklin G. Whitmore, who evidently was in charge of the packing up and/or sale of items in the Farmington Ave. house.

Mrs. Clemens begs that Mrs Whitmore will present the mercury to one of the Libraries, if there is one that will care to have it.

Jean wants the birds eye maple table in the pink room, therefore it may be packed and reserved by the Lincoln Bank packers.

Pack neither the mirror or the stained glass windows. They must be sold.

The two small upholstered low chairs in the drawing room are to be packed with the gilt chairs—not sold.

The red stair carpet is to be packed with the rugs.

Mrs. Clemens particularly mentions that any shells or sea weed in Miss Susie’s room are to be carefully packed for storing.

Be sure to have the men paint our name on the unmarked new trunks, before they leave the house.

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