January 25 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote two notes to Livy.
Jan. 25. / Dearest sweetheart, it is a most fine & delicate snowfall & beautiful to watch as it sifts down through the naked branches. And Blennerhasset is enjoying it—goes tearing along the high limbs like a shuttle; & carrying on most gaily. Good-morning, dearest dear heart, I love you dearly. / Y.
Jan. 25—night. / I will write Mr. Appleton what you say, Livy dear. My understanding was—was—was—oh, well, dang it I don’t know what it was—I don’t reckon I had any. Often I have an understanding that I don’t understand, & then I come to find out I didn’t. I love you darling, sleep well, dearest [LLMT 342; MTP]. Note: William W. Appleton was leasing the Wave Hill house to the Clemenses. “Blennerhasset” was Sam’s name for the pesky squirrels at Lake Saranac, but also given to a favorite cat at Riverdale; here he undoubtedly referred to a Riverdale squirrel.
Sam’s notebook: “McKinley (& the poem). / Xn Science & Harpers. / Their ¶ of Apl. 11/03 in the trade paper: / [Horiz. Line separator] / Barnum / [Horiz. Line separator] / James W. Paige / [Horiz. Line separator] / Twichell / Warner / Hawley” [NB 46 TS 8].
William Archer Purrington (b. 1852), attorney for the NY Medical Society, wrote from NYC to Sam.
Dr. Rice asked me on the telephone last Friday to send you so much of what I have said of “Mother” [Mary Baker Eddy] as I could lay hands on. … I have met you often, at Laurence Hutton’s, at Sir Henry Irving’s table and generally in partibus. But I know that you will promptly send me a copy of your complete works, as is customary among “us authors,” you ante your complete works and I will go mine better; Thus I regard the sending of this book to you as a speculation worthy of Mr. John Gates when he is most afar [MTP]. Note: Purrington wrote on laws concering the medical field, and had done several articles for the NY Sun denouncing Christian Science. He also authored Christian Science; An Exposition of Mrs. Eddy’s Wonderful Discovery, etc. (1900) [Gribben 563].