Vol 3 Section 0989

December 7 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Miss Margaret Sherry (Livy’s trained nurse for the past 12 months & more) left for America to-day. We can never forget her, & shall always be grateful to her” [NB 46 TS 31].

May Critchell Rimington (Mrs. H.H. Rimington) wrote from NY to Sam. “My father, Robert S. Critchell of Chicago has often told the story of how through your influence many years ago he was able to succeed in a business undertaking and the comical sequel of the prairie chickens. He will be sixty soon and I am making an autograph calendar for a gift. Will you send me yours?” Sam wrote on the env. “Incident of Prairie Chickens” [MTP].

Linda Villari wrote to Livy: “I am looking forward to calling on you this Thursday & praying for fine weather after all these torrential rains.” She was “delighted” to see Sam again “& to find the little girl we knew at Villa Viviani developed into so charming a grown up…” [MTP].

December 8 Tuesday – William Deason for Thomas Cook & Son wrote to Sam, asking for “a declaration from your medical attendant” in the matter of his claim for a refund of Miss Sherry’s unused ticket [MTP].

December 9 Wednesday

December 10 Thursday – James Jourdan, President Brooklyn Union Gas sent Sam notices of stockholders’ meetings. There are two notices, one dated Dec. 14 [MTP].

Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam that “all applicants” must be referred first to them, and that the contracts with him “give them authority over everything you have published, also over everything you may write (for use in print)” [MTP].

Katharine I. Harrison wrote to Sam.

I have your favor of the 19th ult. [not extant], and am very sorry to hear that Mrs. Clemens has had a bad burn. I hope she is feeling much better ere this.

I had the Power of Attorney acknowledged before a Notary, and sent to the Steel Company, so that matter is all right.

I received, a week or two ago, 400 shares of Plasmon for your account, also 20 shares each for Miss Clara and Miss Jean of the Tabard Inn stock.

Mr. Rogers received last week a draft for £350 from Mr. MacAlister, of London, which has been placed to your credit. I think Mr. Rogers will write you in a few days.

Wishing youall a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I am … [MTP].

Frances R. Massiglia wrote to Sam. “I have need to speak with you on a matter of importance. Will you be so kind as to arrange to give me a few minutes today & greatly oblige. I hope both Mrs Clemens & yourself are feeling better now we have a little sunshine” [MTP]. Sam wrote on the letter “Ask Smith to come here”

Mary Elizabeth Phillips wrote from Boston to thank Sam for the autographed photo which came the day before [MTP].

December 11 Friday – In Florence, George Gregory Smith wrote to his mother of this day at his home:

“Friday we had quite a gathering. Mark Twain, Labouchere (Mr & Mrs) Mrs McCalmont & a lot of others.” Smith praised Sam for his lack of pretense and was pleased that Sam had taken “a great liking to us & we see a lot of him.” He confided that Livy was “very very ill,” and that Clara, “who is 19 & very sweet & pretty slight & graceful & dark” [Orth 31].

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