May 20 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers.
I believe it would have been a good scheme for you to make that trip yesterday & return without going ashore. Well, no—it wouldn’t. Because there was no insurance on the weather. As it turned out, the weather was perfect—cool without being cold, & the water as slick as glass. We came through like a wireless dispatch—9 hours from anchorage to anchorage. I came within 2 minutes of catching the 4.31 train. Could have caught it if there had been occasion to hurry.
Clara had a desperate day Monday, with intolerable pains in the chest & throat, but they had to be endured—alleviating drugs could not be given because of the measles. Temperature 104. She was better yesterday & is still better this morning—temperature normal. Calomel is in fashion again in the best measles circles, & Clara’s teeth are all loose, in consequence.
Jean is up & out again, & Mrs. Clemens is proceeding satisfactorily.
I suppose you are watching the Harriman case with interest. The evening papers will tell us about the operation, no doubt. I should think they would take him to the hospital, as there is scarlet fever in his house.
The difference between this air & that of Fairhaven is extraordinary. I tell you this heat & humidity are oppressive—you will certainly find your profit in staying where you are. My trip did me a lot of good—the air, the billiards, the driving, the yacht trip, the social cussing & discussing, & the spiritual healing conferred by immersion in that simple Christian tank all contributed; my back is straight again, & I am what the English call “fit.”
I am sending my love & the madam’s. I do not know what to do with the enclosed application. I do not know these persons; still, for the Company’s sake I would not let a chance like this go by if I were you [MTHHR 527-8]. Note: Edward Henry Harriman (1848-1909), railroad executive, had an appendectomy on May 20 [n2].
Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam (and Livy) to Franklin G. Whitmore, who evidently was in charge of the packing up and/or sale of items in the Farmington Ave. house.
Mrs. Clemens begs that Mrs Whitmore will present the mercury to one of the Libraries, if there is one that will care to have it.
Jean wants the birds eye maple table in the pink room, therefore it may be packed and reserved by the Lincoln Bank packers.
Pack neither the mirror or the stained glass windows. They must be sold.
The two small upholstered low chairs in the drawing room are to be packed with the gilt chairs—not sold.
The red stair carpet is to be packed with the rugs.
Mrs. Clemens particularly mentions that any shells or sea weed in Miss Susie’s room are to be carefully packed for storing.
Be sure to have the men paint our name on the unmarked new trunks, before they leave the house.
The nursery carpet and the pink room carpet are to be given to Mary McAlear [sic McAleer].
The pile of garments Katie laid aside can be given to Mary Mc Alear.
Have sent to Mrs. S. L. Crane Elmira. N.Y. (freight paid) the 2nd and 3rd hall carpets and the stair carpets on the 2nd and 3rd flights of stairs. Send also to Mrs. Crane Patrick’s livery, the coats and the fur cape.
Mrs. Clemens would like to know if Mrs. Hooker wished the bust of her brother H.W. Beecher—and if it was sent to her.
If there is any thing to be sold from the kitchen, or any carpets, that Mrs. O. Neil would like, she can have them [MTP]. Note: Ellen O’Neil, with husband, had been the longtime gardener for the Clemenses.