May 14 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Charles S. Fairchild, now in London.
Day before yesterday I quitted my bed after 5 weeks in it. I am ever so much obliged to you for yours of Apl. 22 [not extant]. I at once cabled the Plasmon Co acknowledging receipt of dividend.
I am very glad you got acquainted with Hillier. He is fine.
I don’t suppose you will get this letter, still I’m going to send it, any way [MTP].
Sam also inscribed two of his “Fulton Day” Orator photographs to unidentified persons: “Truly Yours / Mark Twain New York, May 14/03. / Born Nov.30, 1835” [New York at the Jamestown Exposition, prepared by Cuyler Reynolds, historian, p. 411].
Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore.
“Mr. Reeves asked me if the Hartford house was sold & I said yes. Then we talked about other matters. If he asks you for his commission, refer him to me & I will pay him whatever is necessary” [MTP]. Note: Sam had listed the house with George Reeves of Hoyt & Co.; based on his agreement, a commission might be due Hoyt regardless of who orchestrated the sale.
Poultney Bigelow wrote to Sam. “I biked up yesterday and back from Gramercy park in three hours 45 minutes— and felt bully afterwards.” He also wrote a pseudo-formal statement regarding the “Ends of the Earth” club that Mark Twain would never be annoyed by any request from the “club” [MTP].
William Dean Howells came up to Riverdale to visit Sam [MTHL 2: 772n1]
May 14 Thursday to June 20, 1903 – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote a series of notes with drawings to daughter Clara while she was sick with the measles.
Dear Benny, this is just a love-pat from your mother & me, & wishing you a sound & refreshing sleep with no bad dreams in it. [a caricature of himself] / Papa.
[a caricature of Rodman Gilder]
Rodman Gilder, which has come to call on you, dear. Hurry down, Ben, & bring the cat—there is room for us all at table, & plenty to eat,—including cats’-meat.
[in Rodman Gilder’s hand:] Approved Rodman Gilder per R.G.
[another page:]
[a drawing of Clara with three sets of arms]
Here you see yourself singing before the public, Benny, dear, & making the several gestures required for the interpretation of the feelings conveyed by the music. / Good-night, dearheart. / Father
[another page:]
[a drawing of Jean with binoculars, observing a large, four-legged bird]
Ben, dear, you will recognize this. It is your sister the naturalist getting ready to examine the new crested robin, which has 4 legs & is exceedingly rare in the northern parts of our country. Gute Nacht, Herzchen— schlaf wohl! /V.
[another page:]
[a drawing of Jean and a cat, captioned:]
Jean & Prosper.
10.35 p.m. Benny dear, I’ve been riding in a racing mobile to-night, 50 miles an hour (don’t you let your mother find it out.) Love to you & the cat. / F.
[another page:]
Benny dear, I reckon that this landscape is not entirely clear—so I will try to explain it. That piano is a bed; the apparition between its legs is the gatto, & is lost; the person on the floor is seeking it, but has not discovered it yet, is bereft of hope. I do not know who it is, but I think it is Katy. Sleep well, dear heart—& good night. / N.B. Those pebbles are not pebbles, they are tears. They are splashing on the floor.
[the drawing as described]
Dove il gatto?
Benny dear, this is a more different effect than the music had last night—it is because this one is a tune which induces reminiscence & remorse, as you see. Good night, dearheart, & sleep well / Vater
[another page:]
[a drawing labeled: The Inspection
Clara & Unknown animal.
Good night, dear Ben, from your mother & me—& sleep well!
Du hast das Herze mein
So ganz genommen ein
Dass ich almost nobody else lieb
Als Dich allein.
Father
[another page:]
Benny dear, I am making Aunt Sue wait a moment till I send you a good-night kiss & lots of love.
[drawing of Susan L. Crane:]
Aunt Sue
[another page:]
[drawing of Clara]
Restored to health & to the family. Welcome, dear! / V.
[another page:]
[drawing of a young Olivia L. Clemens]
Portrait of a lydy.
Ben, dear, this is a very conscientiously exact portrait of your mother when she was a sweet young innocent thing like you, & wore an inside handkerchief & low neck & short sleeves & a benevolent smile, along with other decorations suitable to her circumstances & time of life.
Love to you, dear. Fumigate the cat & send him in. / Father.
[another page:]
[drawing of Mrs. Hapgood]
Good-night, Benny, dear, we’ll ’tend to the kitten. With love to you— / Father
Mrs. Hapgood
[another page:]
[drawing of Clara on a horse]
The Flight. from quarantine [MTP].