Vol 3 Section 1104
The third to Isabel V. Lyon, enclosing Dr. G.W. Kirch’s bill and letter from the doctor’s attorney [MTP].
John Henry Flagg (1843-1911) inscribed his book, The Monarch and Other Poems to Sam: “To S L Clemens / with unfailing regards of / The Author / Oct 18, 1904” [Gribben 233].
Cécile Freese wrote from 353 W. 17th St., N.Y.C. to Sam:
My dear Mr Clemens, / By some unpardonable negligence your letter of September 28th has only just reached me.
I should say your secretary’s letter and whose name I cannot make out so I cannot send a reply to that person.
I will be very thankful to have Mrs Clemens photograph back again; I am only sorry it is not one that you did not possess. I have heard that you will spend the winter in New York; should this be true I would like so much to see you and your daughters.
I am living more and more in the past! / Yours … [MTP]. Note: Sam answered ca. Oct. 20.
October 19 Wednesday – Edumund D. Morel wrote from the Union Club, NYC to Sam. “Not a single N.Y. daily newspaper has published my open letter to Cardinal Gibbons.” Much of this letter is illegible [MTP]. Note: James Gibbons (1834-1921), of Baltimore, American cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Best known for his support of labor unions, in his later years he became the face of Catholicism in America.
October 20 Thursday – About this day Sam replied to Cécile Freese’s Oct. 18. Sam wrote on the bottom of
Freese’s letter: “Here is Madame Freese’s address. Miss Lyon can now return the photo to her” [MTP].
October 21 Friday
October 22 Saturday
October 23 Sunday – At the Grosvenor Hotel in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Susan Crane.
I have been telephoning the Hoffman, dearest Susy dear (as’su), & the Stanchfields are there—so I am going up, right after dinner, to see them. Clara Stanchfield says she has made the journey from Elmira especially to see our Clara, & it is too bad, for the doctor put her under the strictest seclusion & captivity yesterday evening, & now I, with all others, am shut out for the coming months. It is best so. She will not get well on any less stringent terms.
The house drags, drags—but that is no matter, for Jean is well satisfied to linger in the country, & I get along pleasantly enough in this little hotel. Dear Sue, I missed you, last time, for I had to go to Fairhaven Sept. 16 to help dedicate that church, & I could not get back until the 22d—meantime you had come & gone. I will not go away the next time you are coming, for then there will be no church-work on hand. I hope you will come soon—& to this hotel.
I was going to call on Julie this afternoon, but learned by telephone that she is not at home.
I have been resting in bed all day, that is why I am using this paper. I am down-stairs, to let my room have an airing.
To-morrow a year ago, we took Livy on board the ship—to begin a journey invented by insanity! And it is piteous to remember how eager she was to go, poor child. She so longed for health; it was returning to her by leaps & bounds—I wish she had changed her mind & said “Let us turn back.” But it was not to be. She was in the toils of the enemy of the race; her date was set, & she would have perished on the 5th of June, let her be where she might. / I love you “As-su” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Muriel M. Pears, giving his Fifth Ave. address:
SLC used mourning border for most letters from Susy’s death on, then from Livy’s death on.