May 22 Saturday — Clemens inscribed his copy of The Mother and the Father. Dramatic Passages, (1909) by William Dean Howells: “S. L. Clemens / from W.D. Howells. / May 22, 1909” [Gribben 332].
Andrew Carnegie wrote from Stresa, Italy: his sympathies to Sam on learning of the death of H.H. Rogers:
Dear Friend / Our courier handed me the paper this morning calling attention to Mr Rogers passing away & my heart went out to you knowing that of all his friends you would miss him most—I have admired him for what he did for you & you for your devotion to him[.]
Gone & only sixty eight. & here you & I are left & both in good health tho older men.
Our courier was his & tells me that even when travelling he was followed by inumerable cables—Pity he did not retire years ago, I tell you my Friend no man is fit to meet business conditions in old age. I have seen too many fail. Fortunately you are clear of troubles & have only to moralize upon life as a looker on, so with me,—never to make another dollar was my resolve & I’ve kept it—Mr Rogers had to hear the odium of a system, one blamed for unavoidable consequences. Rebates were part of transportation in the early days. Railways fot each other as private manufacturer did—Well, his memory be kept green in your heart & I doubt not history will do him justice because you will take care to rend him as your friend in need, showing the real man.
We are en route for Paris & London, Madam & Daughter & myself—the three all very well & entranced with this lovely spot— / Good night Saint Mark. / Ever your devoted .... / P S Madam wishes to be kindly remembered|,] She’s an angel sure as you know [MTP]. Note: Andrew’s “simplified spellings” left intact.