June 30 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote an aphorism on Riverdale on the Hudson letterhead to an unidentified person: “Work & Play are words used to describe the same thing under differing conditions. / Truly Yours / Mark Twain / June 30/03” [Heritage Auction Galleries for Oct. 14-15, 2010; MTP].
Sam also wrote to George Walbridge Perkins, Sr., purchaser of the Wave Hill house earlier this year.
I am enclosing $250 for the month of July. We then, to our sorrow, cease to be your tenants in the pleasantest home & the pleasantest neighborhood in the Republic. (But I hope we shall come back & be under your sovereignty again some day.)
When you come to re-ceil the south drawing-room, I beg that you will make it expensive & send me the bill—I will stop it out of Jean’s salary, & it will (possibly) teach her not to again meddle with water-works which she is not acquainted with. Although Clara is not responsible for the ceiling in her room, if you will send me a bill I will make her pay it, for it may teach her something, I don’t quite know what. She needs a lesson.
It was a delightful evening, yesterday, & Mrs. Clemens was very sorry she had to lose her share of it. / We all send our warmest regards to you & to Mrs. Perkins & the family, & do most reluctantly say Good-bye … …
Our tenants the Davises were paying $12 a month, but we knocked off $2 because they were going to have a marriage. They are very nice people; but if they default on the marriage you can raise the limit on them again [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: “Mr. R. [Rogers] probably talked with Bliss & disapproved of my purchasing. / [Horiz. Line separator] / B & the others probably discussed & concluded to try Scribner” [NB 46 TS 20].