March 18 Friday — In Hamilton, Bermuda Sam finished his Mar. 17 to Albert B. Paine in Redding, Conn. after receiving Paine’s Mar. 12 (not extant).
Yours of March 12th just received.
It will be best for you to make stable arrangements, horses & so forth according to your own jugdement without consulting with Clara in Germany I desire this.
I have crossed out what I wrote about a monthly allowance for Clara. I didn’t know she took so much money with her[.]
I thank Col. Harvey ever so much for getting admission for Clara for the Easter dissipations at Rome [.|
Poor David I am sorry for the survivors but he is in good luck himself a person who dies is always in good luck.
Yes if you keep my bank balance about $1000 it will answer my needs|.|]
Yes I shall be glad if you will administer Jean’s estate. Mr. Sark [sic Charles T. Lark] can tell you all you need to know as to what to do; I don’t know what to say about investing. I would like “The Mark Twain Co.” to invest according to its best judjment. Possibly you might look favorably upon these Telephone bonds.
As for my bronchitis I am very well satisfied with it. If I were at home I should have to go to bed but here no such care is required I have been coughing for some weeks but there is not enough of this cough to inconvenience me.
The pain in my breast still abides with me but it troubles me very little.
If you look in the magazine advertizements you will find one of those lists of standard dead copyright books which includes all the big names Scott, Cooper & the others—clear print, cheap binding & a whole library for sale for $10 or $20 I would like you to buy one of those cheap libraries & send it to me |.|
Yours ever
S. L. C.
per HSA [MTP].
Albert Bigelow Paine wrote from Redding finishing his letter started Mar. 17: “Mar 18: Hurrah! Clara is Coming! I'll have those doors cut, or anything else she wants, rest assured! We are delighted!” He also enclosd a letter from John Hayes Hammond (not extant) [MTP].
Robert Erskine Ely wrote from NYC to invite Sam to a luncheon on either Apr. 6 or 7 for Josephine Preston Peabody (Mrs. Lionel Marks) a playwright. A telegraph reply requested [MTP]. Note: ABP: “Mr Clemens is not in America and not expected before May”