December 23 Thursday — In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote a short note to the Manager, Associated Press that ran in the NY Times (and possibly other newspapers) on Dec. 24, p.6, “Twain’s Merry Christmas.”
“I hear the newspapers say I’m dying, The charge is not true, I would not do such a thing at my time of life. I am behaving as good as I can, / Merry Christmas to everybody! / Mark Twain” [MTP].
See Paine’s recollection of dinner this evening with Jean Clemens, in Dec, 24 entry.
R.W. Barkley wrote from NYC to detail over a page of single spaced type, suggested treatments using alternating electrical current for “hardening of the arteries, rheumatism (inflammatory) and ailments due to advancing years” [MTP].
Arthur Brisbane of the New York Evening Journal Publishing Co, NYC wrote: “I enclose a feeble effort to counteract the writing of some foolish gentleman on our morning paper's editorial page—he was preparing to bury you with a few kind words, apparently.” He wished Clemens might enjoy Christmas. “You have given so much pleasure to other human beings that you ought to have a great deal yourself” [MTP].
Millie Suart, ‘‘a poor Soldier’s widow” wrote from Battle Creek, Mich. to tell Sam her secret cure for dyspepsia—wood ashes steeped in boiling water, one tablespoon taken after eating [MTP].