September 20 Monday — In Redding, Conn. Albert B. Paine wrote for Sam to Archibald Henderson.
My Dear Sir, / I have your letters of recent date, also the photographs and pamphlets mentioned. Allow me to thank you for one of the pamphlet articles, which I remember reading with pleasure in Harper’s Magazine. Mr. Clemens has autographed the various items, and I am having them sent to you by express, as the fact that they now contain writing would make them first-class mail matter. I hope that they will arrive safely, and that you will find them in accordance with your desires.
Concerning the bibliographical list you mention, I should be very glad to see it some time, and to make any suggestions that might tend to its enlargement. I have a large quantity of Mark Twain matter of various sorts. It is at present arranged chronologically, and not with a view to bibliographical consideration, Perhaps that will follow.
As to the completion of my biography of Mr. Clemens, that will require some time, perhaps two or three years longer. It is as you say, a big work. ... [MTP].
Sam noted in his after Sept. 25, 1909 letter that on this day, “Sold old MS for more than enough to square with Ashcroft.” Note: See Sept. 10 entry.
William Ireland Starr wrote from Bridgeport, Conn. to advise Sam of the location of a color picture which was left by Mrs. Ashcroft (Isabel Lyon) “in the large drawer of the sideboard at the top of the main stairs at Stormfield” and hoped Sam might find it and send it [MTP].