January 20 Thursday - W.H. Howe for H.H. Laboratory, Moorefield, Ky. wrote to ask for an autograph, after having visited Florida, Mo. and viewing the house where his aunt Polly said Clemens was born [MTP].
New York Telephone Co. per F.B. Ellis wrote to Sam: “I have your favor of January 17th, and wish to advise that 2 copies of the New York Telephone Directory issue of October 14th, 1909 have been sent to you by Adam’s express to-day” [MTP].
Dora Prentice Wills wrote from Holmesburg, Phila. to Sam.
Dear Mark ‘Twain, Thank you very much for introducing to your readers that charming little girl Marjorie Fleming. She is indeed a bewitching little maid & I feel a debt of gratitude to you as great as yours to Dr. Brown of Edinburgh.
I am an invalided old maid who has kept fairly young through an interest & affection for young ones & am particularly glad to add Marjorie to my book friends. She has an advantage over Rebecca & Rebecca Mary & Mrs. Harker’s fascinating young people in that she really, truly was—
Your Christmas message also appealed to me most strongly. My one effort is to live decently today.
With cordial good wishes & trusting you will not confound me with the elderly females whose main object in life serves to be bothering writing people / Sincerely yours, Dora Prentice Wills [MTP]. Note: Paine wrote on the letter that he hadn’t answered it yet and asked if he should or did Clemens wish to. Sam wrote on Wills’ letter and returned it to Paine. See ? 25 Jan. entry.