August 25 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:

Dear Col. Higginson walked up this afternoon and had a cup of tea with me. He really came to inquire about Jean’s accident. So that is how I’ve learned about it. He talked of Mr. Clemens of course, and said that the description of the feud in Huckleberry Finn is one of the finest things in literature. He always feels that he has known those people. …I sat in my own room over my tea when I saw him coming slowly up the road. I was reading his essay on Bronson Alcott, as he came into view. … [MTP TS 90].

Louis F. Post, editor of The Public in Chicago, wrote to Sam, enclosing the Aug. 19 issue of The Public, which contained Tolstoy’s letter on the Russian land question. Post solicited Sam’s opinion of the article [MTP]. Note: allowing three business days for mail from Chicago to Dublin, N.H. Sam’s answer (tagged only as “on or after 25 Aug” by MTP) is estimated to be ca. Aug. 29.

Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote to Sam: “I have turned into a poet, / And thought I would let you know it.” He enclosed a poem and letter he’d sent with which to needle John Hays Hammond [MTP].

Daniel Carter Beard wrote on Recreation Magazine letterhead to Sam.

My Dear Mark Twain:—

I am rejoiced to see, by the morning papers that you have really made up your mind not to have your feet amputated. I thought some of telegraphing to you to save your shoes for me as I, with thousands of others would enjoy the privilege of standing in your shoes. But, nevertheless, I am rejoiced beyond measure to find that you have decided to keep them for yourself for there is no doubt in my mind that they would fit no one else.

Thank you very much for your kind note in reference to “Moonblight” and trusting that you may sometime have leisure to read the thing even if it is for no other purpose than to jump on me for writing it, an thing which you could not have done had you really had those feet amputated and with love and sincere regards to you and yours…[MTP].

Isabella Beecher Hooker wrote from Norfolk, Va. to Sam. “Dear Friend Clemens. I find I must recall my invitation to you to meet my friend Mrs Luggaro in my cottage for friendly converse on the great questions of life & immortality.” In a rather rambling letter she noted that her idea that Sam was also a psychic was wrong, and that he was “still in the attitude of most so called “investigators,” so she saw he was “not ready for such humble entrance,” and withdrew her invitation [MTP].

Charles B. Whiting ( 1828-1908), President of the Orient Ins. Co., Hartford, wrote to Sam.

Dear Mr. Clemens / Mrs. Hooker has just this P.M. read me a copy of a note she sent you to meet Mrs. [illegible] her medium friend from Hfd. In it she has made it appear that something I said caused her to send this note. The fact is I fully expected you and Dr Quintard would come. I am very free to say I had no idea you would be satisfied with what you would get. You will doubtless remember I said nothing in regard to this woman’s gifts [MTP].

August 25 ca. – In Dublin, N.H. Sam answered the Aug. 23 from Knickerbocker Publishing Co. directing Lyon to send them the Moffett sketch of Sam’s life [MTP]. Note: The MTP catalogs this answer as “on or after Aug. 23.” Two days estimated postal time is allowed here. Knickerbocker Publishing wrote again on Sept. 20 thanking him for receipt of the biographical sketch, and referred to a Sept. 19 letter (not extant) enclosing the sketch.