November 2 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Edward W. Ordway, secretary of the Anti-Imperialist League: “Although I cannot do any of the work myself, I shall be mighty glad to advise others what to do; therefore, accidents not preventing, I shall be at 501 at 4 p.m.” Nov. 13th” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to commiserate with Sir Thomas Wardle on the loss of his wife, Lady Wardle:
I was deeply pained by the news of Lady Wardle’s death, & Mrs. Clemens will not be less grieved when it comes to her knowledge. I do not know how you will be able to bear such a loss, nor what your life will be, with that beautiful spirit withdrawn from it. When the sad tidings came I was pondering the gloomy problem of what my own life was soon likely to become, for we thought that my wife’s days were drawing swiftly to a close. But the danger-point of the malady that was threatening her was safely passed, presently, & our fears were relieved. But in the place of that malady, nervous prostration was left. It is three months, now, that Mrs. Clemens is confined to her bed; it will be many months before she will be on her feet again. But she is bright,
usually cheerful, & bears her captivity well. No one is allowed to see her except the physician, the trained nurse & my eldest daughter. The other daughter & I have not seen her for more than a month. No word from the outside world that could move her emotions is allowed to reach her.
For her as well as for myself I offer to you & to your daughter our heartfelt sympathy in your profound bereavement [MTP].
Sam also wrote a short note to Frank N. Doubleday “Mrs. Clemens is always shirking her dues to Sequoya Leagues and things, but when she is sick and unable to help herself I square them up, for I am an honest person, and the only one in this family, and perhaps in the state.” Livy was “getting along fairly well,” he wrote; Clara was the only one who was able to see her since a month ago [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: “Contract with Dillingham—Huck Finn producible Nov. 2/ 02” [NB 45 TS 36].