Vol 3 Section 1132

February 2, 1890 correction – The poem Sam wrote Elsie Leslie that she later put with this date, the same as for the inscription in CY, was actually written on Mar. 5, 1890, so must have been sent later [MTP Fragment DV 152].

February 10, 1890 addition – Sam wrote in Hartford to Daniel Frohman.

I have now finished the play as I would like it played in England (& “on the road” here)—Tom & Edward played by TWO persons.

I have also finished it as it should be played when one person plays both of those parts,—for use in this

COUNTRY.

I will have the two versions type-writered here [MTP].

February 11, 1890 addition – In Hartford Sam wrote to John Brown, Jr. (“Jock”) in Scotland.

Dear Mr. Brown—Both copies came, & we are reading & re-reading the one & lending the other to old-time adorers of Rab & his Friends. It is an exquisite book, the perfection of literary workmanship. It says in every line, “Don’t look at me, look at him,” & one tries to be good & obey; but the charm of the painter is so strong that one can’t keep his entire attention on the developing portrait, but must steal side-glimpses of the artist, & try to divine the trick of her felicitous brush. In this book the Doctor lives & moves just as he was. He was the most extensive slaveholder of his time, & the kindest, & yet he died without setting one of his bondmen free. We all send out very, very kindest regards [MTP: D.W. Forrest, Letters of Dr. John Brown, 1907, p.361]. Note: Dr. John Brown and His Sister Isabella: Outlines, by Elizabeth T. McLaren (1889); see Gribben p. 444. (added Aug. 28, 2010)

March 5, 1890 addition – Sam wrote “Ode to Elsie Leslie” on this date [MTP Fragments DV 152].

June 18 or June 24, 1890 addition – Sam headed this letter to Mrs. John P. Jones (Senator): “At the Factory / Hartford / Wednesday p.m.” These dates are calculated.

My Dear Mrs. Jones:

I tried to go through form Washington to Hartford at one stretch because we had guests at home & it didn’t seem fair to leave Mrs. Clemens without a lieutenant; so I took the 9:40 a.m. train—& botched the whole business; for I missed the Hartford train by 10 minutes & had to stay over in New York.

I have to thank you for a most delightful day—though Mr. Goodman speaks of our invasion as a “call” in his modest Pacific Coast way. And once he called it a visit; where any honest jury would call it — visitation. However, what I am…

…Maybe a little vacation will not set her back overmuch in her studies, & I greatly want to show her off before our children…I suppose you do not know that she put on the gloves with Mr. Goodman in the Cryptograph matter after dinner, & scored two points to his one. I have not seen so neat & satisfactory a battle in a long time. / If the Senator…were here now, he would see my machine doing wonders….

[Bonham’s auction June 27, 2006; Sale 14011, lot 3114]. Note: From this letter it’s clear that upon Sam’s return from Washington, he stayed over in N.Y. one night. Likely too he had an engagement to meet Mrs. Jones that he was unable to make. Sam and Goodman left N.Y. from Washington on June 13. After their return Goodman wrote from N.Y. to Sam on June 22. Their return from Washington was then sometime between Monday, June 16 (in which case the above letter was written on June 18), and June 22 (in which case the above letter was written June 24).

June 21, 1890 – Sam and Joe Goodman had returned from their trip to Washington by this date with Joe stopping in N.Y. and Clemens returning to Hartford. See: June 18 or June 24, 1890 addition.