December 21 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Sir Martin / N.E. Dinner—to-day or tomorrow” [NB 43 TS 32].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Irving Bacheller, declining an invitation. He had not accepted one since Nov. 12 and “declined an average of three a day ever since—the last three from my own home (Hartford).” He added that “The book charmed me!” [MTP]. Note: See Dec. 5 and 14 for, Eben Holden; A Tale of the North Country. Also see Gribben 36.

Sam also wrote to N.Y. attorney Augustus T. Gurlitz discussing a possible lawsuit against Chicago Butler Brothers, and a “big Brooklyn store” for issuing and selling an unauthorized edition of the “Library of Wit and Humor by Mark Twain.” Sam wanted to send the compiler of the book, Eli Perkins, to jail. He also wanted to sue “every large store in New York (for heavy damages) caught selling that book,” which bore his name but which was not his [MTP: MS Sotheby Parke-Bernet, N.Y.].

John Y. MacAlister wrote to Sam, enclosing a cheque rec’d for director’s fees to the end of the year. “I was very pleased to note the go ahead way in which Cook is carrying on the American business.” He was sending copies of the new prospectus, though he thought it “too high toned for the public” [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s reply on Dec. 31.