April 14 Wednesday — Sam spent part of the day in NYC; likely he spent the night of Apr. 13 with the H.H. Rogers family. He recorded a talk with Ashcroft that took place on this day:
On the 14th I was still in New York I suppose, (a part of the day) because I had a talk with Ashcroft which I think must have occurred about that time. He told me Clara’s feeling against Miss Lyon had reached such a pass that Miss Lyon believed Clara was going to have her trunks searched; also that she was going to have her arrested—& so Miss Lyon was in a state of pitiable humiliation & distress.
Then Ashcroft cried.
I said—
“Arrest her? Nonsense. On what ground?”
“Because she has a suspicion that—”
“Well, that is nonsense, too. Clara would apply to a lawyer, & the lawyer would not allow her to proceed upon a mere suspicion.”
Miss Lyon's fright was a self-accusation, but I didn’t know it, & was not suspecting it. Clara’s suspicions were well grounded but I thought they were merely grounded upon resentment & dislike [MTP: L-A MS XI]]. Note: Sam then continued on to Stormfield, Sam did give Clara the keys to Lyon’s trunks, but convinced her to spare Lyon “that humiliation.” Later, Clara discovered that Lyon possessed Livy’s carnelian necklace. A letter by Paine to attorney Lark is in the latter source and pronounced Isabel Lyon a thief [ibid. XV]
Charles T. Howard wrote from Providence, R.I. to Sam: “Are you willing to sign one of our books for me? … May I send the book?” [MTP]. Note: “Yes, but put it in a reversible wrapper, with address written on it”
Lawrence Irving wrote to Sam that he was giving two matinees of a comedy—would Sam honor him by attending to either? [MTP]. Note: IVL wrote: “Mr. Clemens has asked for a box for the 27th”