Vol 3 Section 0958

September 24 Thursday – In the evening at the Grosvenor Hotel in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to daughter Clara at 249 E. 32nd St., N.Y.

Benny dear, I am very sorry I missed you—it was too bad that you had your trip for nothing. You mustn’t do that. You must step to the nearest telephone station & pay 10 cents & ask the hotel if I am in.

I am not expecting to get away for a day or two yet. I may be mistaken—I hope & pray I am. I hope to get up to see you.

At the Century Club the other night I had an hour’s talk with the loveliest man. It was the same clergyman that taught us to sing—

“By the humping jumping J—

What the hell is that to you?”

He sent you his love. And I send mine.

Grenouille

It is evening. I have this moment arrived, & am going out to dinner [MTP].

September 25 Friday – At the Grosvenor Hotel in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Miss Jones (not further

identified): “Mrs. Clemens & I thought that maybe these books of mine might come handy some time or other when times are slack & nothing else going on, & so we beg to offer them to you with our very best wishes & heartiest congratulations” [MTP]. Note: this had been misdated as 1891.

Sam’s notebook : “Lawyer Edward Lauterbach. If I had had him 30 yrs ago I shd not have been swindled so often. / Franklin Chamberlin. / Will Hamersley” [NB 46 TS 24]. Note: Edward Lauterbach (1844-1923), NY attorney and trustee of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum for 39 years. Sam notes “swindles” by William T. Hamersley, and neighbor Franklin Chamberlin of Hartford.

Harold Wheeler for the Plasmon Co. of America wrote to Sam. “To confirm our conversation of yesterday, with reference to the Plasmon shares left available for distribution by reason of the defaults of H. E. Wright and H.C. Davis in meeting their subscriptions, I beg to advise you as follows:” Wheeler wrote that $24,722.22 was the unpaid balance of those subscriptions and that they had 745- 7/9 shares thus available, but that Hammond, Law and Butters had arranged to take this stock, but could arrange for Sam to take a share, which would amount to $3,531.75; if he wanted it they’d need payment by Friday of the following week [MTP].

September 26 Saturday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Livy wrote for Sam wrote to William V. Alexander: “As Mr Clemens is in New York for a few days I will answer your note regarding the photo’s Mr Clemens did make a mistake in asking for two copies of 8366 he only desires one. I believe there is no other that he wishes to put in its place. Thanking you for calling Mr Clemens attention to the mistake …” [MTP].

Livy also wrote for Sam wrote to Edward W. Bok, assuring him that they would not let the Marr photos “fall into the hands of anyone where there would be risk of reproduction.” She thanked him for sending the pictures [MTP].Note: Thomas E. Marr, Boston photographer.

Sam’s notebook: “Alexander & Green / Daniel Whitford” [NB 46 TS 24]. Note: together with the Sept. 25 NB entry, Sam seemed to be listing some of the attorneys he had dealings with.

September 27 Sunday

September 28 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Monday, Sept. 28/03. Talk with Duneka (Harper & Brothers.) If ever a publisher gets a non-terminable contract with an author, that author can never buy his freedom from that slavery on any terms. A publisher is by nature so low & vile that he—that he—well from the bottom of my heart I wish all publishers were in hell. / And particularly: / Elisha Bliss (already there);” [NB 46 TS 23-24].

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