March 6 Saturday — In Redding, Conn. an unidentified person wrote for Clemens to Harry A. Lounsbury.
Dear Mr. Lounsbury : / Mr, Clemens, who is, as you know, very satisfied with the manner in which you have attended to his needs in the past, wishes me, however, to call your attention to the following matters:
It seems that you charge $2.50 for a double team, whether using the coupe, the surrey or one of your own wagons, while Read & Smith are willing to perform this service for $2.00. Mr. Clemens, therefore, thinks that you should reduce your charge to $2.00 for this service.
Mr. Clemens furthermore does not now approve of the joint ownership of the surrey, and would like an offer from you for his 1/2 share.
He also hopes that you will, in the future, as in the past, use every effort to minimize the expense of his livery, etc, by picking up express packages at the station whenever you are there on his or your own business.
Referring to enclosed bill, kindly let us know what the undated item of $6.00 for teams is. In future, kindly explain on the bill what the character of the work is that you perform and also please specify what the express, freight or telegraph charges are for. / Yours, sincerely, [MTP].
J.N. Ashburn wrote from Cleveland, Ohio to Sam.
My dear Twain:--
It is not from curiosity that I address you, but because I have something to say. One of your twenty or thirty year-old books—The Prince and the Pauper—was placed in my hands a few days ago, and I read it for the first time. I had passed it by heretofore because I thought the title too young for [a] seventy year old man. However it proved a very interesting book to me, and I thank you for throwing it out to the world and myself for stumbling upon it. You may guess my surprise when I discovered that my little History of the Eighty-Sixth Regiment 0.V.I. involved the family of your sub-hero—De Courcy. The 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, was commanded by John F. de Courcy in 1863-64. He was then without title, except a military one. In 1874 he became by inheritance 31st Lord Kingsale, Baron Courcy of Courcy, and Baron of Ringrone in the Peerage of Ireland. My Colonel, Wilson C. Lemert, (we served under De Courcy) in later years visited his ancestral Castle, which is located 9 miles north of Belfast Ireland, and known as Carrick Fergus. He married in 1864, succeeded to his title in 1874, and died in Florence, Italy, in 1890, without issue. I have an obituary taken from The London Illustrated News of November 1890. He was a stern officer and a strict disciplinarian. His picture, as we knew him is reproduced in my history. His right eye was defective and his photographs are profiles. If this interests you I would be glad to hear from you. If not, to the waste basket. ... [MTP]. Note: After Mar. 8 Sam replied.
L.M. Ellis wrote from Omaha, Nebr. to Sam. “Enclosed is picture of a bald headed man who lives here & who is running for office—A young fellow here—a mere school boy) had carved it up into a fair resemblance to yourself. I send it that you may see how well known to the rising generation are your prominent features. The boy carved it from memory’ [MTP]. See Insert
Frances Grant Teetzel wrote from Wisc. to Sam, noting that the January Century had a poem of his that Sam might like to read. He asked for Sam’s suggestions for a publishing company as he had “a number of things to get out, but know of no publishing house available” [MTP].
George Leon Varney wrote from Oshkosh, Wisc. on State Historical Society letterhead to ask Sam his favorite poetry. This was for a book he was preparing “The Favorite Poems of Great Men and Women.” [MTP]. Note: IVL: “My favorite / by long odds / is Omar Khayyam”
Marion Wallace wrote to Clemens: “Will you kindly use your influence with Mark Twain and induce him to send his autograph...?” in a child’s hand [MTP]. Note: “Mch 23, ‘09”
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.
On July 19, 1909 Charles T. Lark reported after searching cancelled checks at the Liberty National Bank, that he found one signed “S. L. Clemens per I. V. Lyon, Secy”. This check was No. 3299 dated March 6th, 1909, drawn in favor of Giuseppe Cherubini, servant, for the sum of $75 [MTP]. Note: See July 19 letter from Lark.