September — In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Marjorie Breckenridge.
I can’t, Marjorie dear, my activities are pretty definitely suspended. I can’t drive, I can’t walk, I am a prisoner. I am as well as anybody—as long as I keep still; but the least little exertion gives me such a bitter pain in the chest that I could enjoy it more than anything in the world if somebody else had it.
You must look in on me, Marjorie, & if I get over this before you go away, I’ll pay back. /Affectionately / [MTP; MTAq 265].
Sam also wrote to John Brown, Jr. (“Jock”).
Dear Mr, Jock
It was too late. Not too late to engrave Marjorie’s signature, of course, for that wouldn’t have taken ten minutes, but too late to get it in, for the printing of the Xmas number is already proceeding—as is the case with all the big magazines of course, at this late date. But I thank you for trying to help me, just the same, & I thank Mr. Mac Bean for his accommodating spirit—which shows he isn’t a minister of the gospel, & not suited to that questionable trade. But Rev. St. Cuthbert is. Damn the Rev. St. Cuthbert, if I may be allowed the liberty!
Well, no, I’m not “keeping well.” Not for these past three months. But as I am out in the country— permanently—I don’t mind it. I don’t go out of the house, but the woods & the hills are all around me, & their enticing companionship is altogether satisfactory.
I will see that a copy shall go to you. / Sincerely Yours / ... [MTP].
North American Review published an article, “Is Mark Twain Dead?” by Eugene H. Angert, p. 319-29. Tenney: “A spoof, purporting to demonstrate that MT died in 1906 in Europe and his subsequent public appearances are those of an imposter, and works bearing his name are those of a person lacking humor: he could not have written either the scholarly “Is Shakespeare Dead?” or Christian Science, and even if he could have written the latter, he would not have chosen to. Significantly, he did not sign the articles of incorporation of the Mark Twain Company. Angert proposes Elbert Hubbard as the author of works attributed to MT in recent years” [46].