March 25 Friday - In Hamilton, Bermuda Sam finished his Mar. 24 to daughter Clara, “March 25. The portrait-postcard has just arrived from Geneva, & is very welcome, with its loving word from you, dear. / With heaps of love to you both / Marcus” [MTP].
Sam also wrote per Helen S. Allen to Albert B. Paine in Redding, Conn.
Dear Paine,
Mr. Allen has made the corrections in the check book suggested by you and now my book exactly corresponds with the pass book.
Yes I approve the Tel. & Tel. purchase at 140-,*41. You could buy another 100 shares if you had the Harper money, & maybe you can get it if you ask for it very sweetly and persuasively, tho I suppose it is not due until the 1st of May.
We must look into the Magic-lantern business. Maybe the modern lantern is too elaborate & troublesome for back-settlement use but we can inquire. We must have some kind of a show at “Stormfield” to entertain the countryside with.
We are booked to sail in the “Bermudian” April 23rd, but don’t tell anybody, I don’t want it known. I may have to go sooner if the pain in my breast doesn’t mend it[s] ways pretty considerably.
I don’t want to die here for this is an unkind place for a person in that condition. I should have to lay in the undertaker’s cellar until the ship would remove me and it is dark down there and unpleasant.
The Colliers will meet me on the pier & I may stay with them a week or two before going home. It all depends on the breast pain—I don’t want to die there. I am growing more & more particular about the place.
/ With love / ... [MTP].
Albert Bigelow Paine wrote from Redding to Clemens: “No news. Everything going nicely—weather pleasant. ... I have deposited $500 to your credit... Major Leigh came up Saturday.... I notice by the paper that Robt. Collier has returned, that he reports good news of your health” [MTP].