March 1 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote two notes to Livy, the first is now dated by virtue of the reference to the baby born on Feb. 28 (“yesterday”) [MTP].
Livy darling, Mr. Kingsley brought me up from the station, & said he had a fine son born yesterday, a 9-pounder & named him David Mc Call Kingsley, after the President of his Insurance Co. He asked after you— everybody does. Those kids have not been in to say good-night to me; but I say good night to you, dearheart, & send you loving kisses. Y [MTP]
Note: Darwin Pearl Kingsley (1857-1932), a neighbor and executive for N.Y. Life Insurance Co. Kingsley married the daughter of the firm’s president, Miss Josephine I. McCall; they had three children, the last b. Feb. 28, 1903; Sam referred to the day of bSirth as “yesterday,” making the above note to Livy Mar. 1. The Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont, Vol 2 p. 653 (1903) gives the baby’s name as John McCall Kingsley. So, Sam may have gotten the name wrong, just as he was evidently unaware that the mother’s maiden name was McCall.
Sam also wrote a good night note to Livy.
March 1. Good-night, Livy darling, I am very busy planning the elopement, & I think I shall soon have it all ciphered out. Horseback & close—carriages are not used any more in elopements, they have gone out; but a bycicle is proper; & so is the mobile—this in cases where they used to use a wheelbarrow. I love you very very dearly, sweetheart: Goodnight. / Y [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: “We may not doubt that society in heaven consists mainly of undesirable persons” [MTB 1195; NB 46 TS 11].
Augusta Gregory inscribed a copy of Poets and Dreamers; Studies from Translations from the Irish, by Lady Gregory: “To ‘Mark Twain’ with very kind regards from August Gregory / March 1903” [MTP]. Note: given as 03.01 to 03.07.
Clinton Scollard wrote a one-page note to Sam from Clinton, Mass.. “I wish to thank you with all my heart for your kind letter of sympathy” [MTP]. Note: Sam’s sympathy letter is not extant.