Vol 3 Section 1119

little by the production.” Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936), pseud. “Mr. Dooley,” author and humorist. Dunne loved to play billiards, smoke cigars, and drink, probably all at the same time; He was a member of Twain’s “Damned Human Race Luncheon Club,” whose members never all met at the same time.

George Haven Putnam, president of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, wrote to Sam, having read “with interest” Sam’s “Concerning Copyright,” which he felt was “exceedingly graphic, and ought to be effective.” Could he have the “North American” send a copy of the magazine with this paper to his office. “I shall be interested in bringing it to the attention of certain of the authorities in Washington” [MTP].

James A. Renwick wrote to Sam, acknowledging receipt of his check for $100, and adding,

In accordance with our conversation of yesterday settles in full for the rent of No. 21. 5[th ave], all up to Jany 1st, 1905. I am exceedingly sorry that the work delayed your occupation of the house, but you must remember you were kind enough to tell me to take my time & your reward, if any, has been in having the house thoroughly done—I hope & believe. My only wish now is that you will enjoy residing there and will do so for many years to come with health & happiness to you & your family [MTP]. Note: Sam quoted this letter as above on May 31, 1905 to attorney John Larkin.

December 8 Thursday – Mary C. Waters wrote to Sam, having read his Joan of Arc article in the Dec.

Harper’s. She enclosed an article, no longer extant [MTP].

December 9 Friday – On or after this day at 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam replied to the Nov. 6 from A.

Silk.

“Dear Sir: / I thank you for the library catalogue cutting for I have often wanted to know what that Diary is—and now find by the heading that it is philosophical or religious or both—and I am glad to know—“ [MTP]. Note: the “Diary” was “Extracts of Adam’s Diary.”

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote from London to Sam. “Have had a full talk with MacAlister. Have not seen [John] Bergheim, owing to his domestic troubles. Will see him & other directors in a few days. MacAlister is going to strongly recommend that the Board make us an offer of a contract” [MTP].

December 10 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Robert Underwood Johnson, thanking him for being elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters on Dec. 2. Johnson was the Secretary of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, which founded the Academy in emulation of the French Academy, and formed to “foster, assist, and sustain excellence” in American literature, music, and art [MTP].

Sam’s sketch, “The $30,000 Bequest” first ran in Harper’s Weekly, and was collected in The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories (1906) [Budd, Collected 2: 1009].

The New York Times announced on p. BR867 “A new complete edition of Mark Twain …in twenty -three volumes by the Harpers,” the Hillcrest Edition, listing the illustrators: J.G. Brown, A.B. Frost, W.T.

Smedley, Peter Newell, Dan Beard, F.B. Opper, Frank T. Merrill, Edward W. Kemble, T. de Thulstrup, F.V. Du Mond, C. Allan Gilbert, J.A. St. John, F.M. Senior, and Ignace Spiridon, “whose painting of Mark Twain is pronounced by Mr. Clemens himself his best portrait.” Sam had inscribed sets on Oct. 29 and Nov. 27.

December 11 Sunday – William B. Throop wrote from Aurora, Ill. to Sam, asking where he might find the old story of a man who went to Washington to collect money due on a beef contract [MTP]. Note: Sam

wrote “ ‘Roughing It,’ I think,” at the top.

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