Vol 3 Section 0938

July 4 Saturday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote a postcard to Frederick A. Duneka, Harper & Brothers: “I am hatching another proposition for those Blisses people. This time I think it will go through, possibly” [MTP]. Note: see June 27 from Bliss; his initial plan was declined.

Sam also wrote to Ward Jacobs, major stockholder of American Publishing Co. He disclosed he had not yet read Frank Bliss’ answer of June 27, what with transporting Livy to Elmira, but the day before had typed out a new proposition. He could not leave Livy but could Jacobs come to him? Bliss could forget the Collier proposition that he’d offered June 4 at Whitmore’s; that was off the table now, and the “private conversation” in Jacobs’ office was not an offer as Bliss imagined it. Bliss was confident of selling 5,000 sets of “Hillcrest” editions for two years, and Sam liked that “energetic sound.” If Bliss could accomplish that he could keep those rights for ten years. Sam would not offer his new proposition to American Publishing without Jacobs’ prior approval [MTP].

Sam’s notebook : “Wrote Jacobs asking him to come here and examine my new proposal. / Wrote Mr. Rogers, outlining the proposal. / Livy making great progress” [NB 46 TS 20]. Note: letter to Rogers not extant.

July 5 Sunday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Clara in Riverdale, N.Y., who was again suffering from a carbuncle.

Ah, you poor thing!—I am so sorry for you. And so sorry for your mother, too. It was heedless in me to send your letter to her—but I never once thought.

We are hoping for a telegram in answer to ours, & hoping it will say the doctor has received the Australian prescriptions & is conquering the carbuncle. It is a great pity we never taught him that sure & simple cure. Dear Ben, we are so troubled & sorry [MTP].

July 6 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “APHORISM / It was a narrow escape. If the sheep had been created first, man would have been a plagiarism. / In the make of his soul & in the movements of his spirit, man is nearer to the sheep than to any other creature” [NB 46 TS 20-21].

July 7 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “No answer from Jacobs. Telegraphed Collier (night dispatch, suggesting that he accept Am. Pub. Co. offer to sell out for $50,000, I taking 2/5 of it—& come up here & talk with me about it” [NB 46 TS 21]. Note: telegram not extant.

July 8 Wednesday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote to Edward W. Bok. “Photographs ‘with practically no text’ are in my line. But I reckon you’ll have to come up onto this hilltop if the thing is urgent, for I shall be here stiddy for the next 6 weeks” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Howard Pyle. “I am ordering the children at home to bring your book here next month, when they come; & meantime I am thanking you with all my heart.(I did not tell them to send it. They would disobey. They are in possession, & know their advantage)” [MTP].

Sam’s notebook: “No reply yet from Jacobs. Collier telegraphs for particulars of $50,000 offer & says he can

come to-morrow or Friday” [NB 46 TS 21]. Note: Collier’s telegraph not extant.

July 9 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “No answer from Jacobs. Robt. Collier telegraphs he can’t come till next week. / Wrote details to Mr. Rogers of my project to have Colliers buy out Am. Pub. Co” [NB 46 TS 21]. Note: Collier’s telegram not extant.

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