December 25 Monday Christmas – On or about this day Sam also sent another Dec. 6 form letter for the occasion of his 70 to Josephine P. Peabody, adding Happy New Year and Merry Christmas sentiment [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Jean ill all day, no climax. Christmas—and my first intimation of it was an envelope on my breakfast tray, an envelope from Mr. Clemens. He received a pretty good letter this morning from a western man, a letter asking him to take up cudgels for Satan, the neglected one who hasn’t done the crimes that the Almighty has done in his wrath, but as Mr. Clemens said there is no proof for there are no witnesses for Satan. If you make a personality out of the Supreme power then there is a chance of bringing that person to trial, for there are witnesses, but “How can you make a person out of that white hunk of fog” [MTP TS 116].
Peter Cadley wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam, unable to find “The Stolen White Elephant” story in a magazine [MTP]. Note: mail delivery not available on Christmas Day, Sam’s reply is estimated as ca. Dec. 26.
Dr. Albert R. Halley wrote from Chicago to compliment Sam on his writing and applying for the job of writing his biography [MTP]. Note: Allowing three days mail time, Sam’s decline is estimated as ca. Dec. 29.
J.T. Green wrote from Jacksonville, Tenn. to Sam, noting his recent 70th [MTP].
Francis Davis Millet wrote to Sam that he was sending “a sample barrel of cigars,” and listed his favorite brands. “May God preserve you a thousand year!” [MTP].
Henry Tudor inscribed his portrait: “To dear Mark Twain / with the gratitude of nearly half a Century—all the sounder for growing old in a bottle—Henry Tudor / Christmas, 1905” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Jean ill all day, no climax. Christmas—and my first intimation of it was an envelope on my breakfast tray, an envelope from Mr. Clemens. He received a pretty good letter this morning from a western man, a letter asking him to take up cudgels for Satan, the neglected one who hasn’t done the crimes that the Almighty has done in his wrath, but as Mr. Clemens said there is no proof for there are no witnesses for Satan. If you make a personality out of the Supreme power then there is a chance of bringing that person to trial, for there are witnesses, but “How can you make a person out of that white hunk of fog” [MTP TS 116].
Peter Cadley wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam, unable to find “The Stolen White Elephant” story in a magazine [MTP]. Note: mail delivery not available on Christmas Day, Sam’s reply is estimated as ca. Dec. 26.
Dr. Albert R. Halley wrote from Chicago to compliment Sam on his writing and applying for the job of writing his biography [MTP]. Note: Allowing three days mail time, Sam’s decline is estimated as ca. Dec. 29.
J.T. Green wrote from Jacksonville, Tenn. to Sam, noting his recent 70th [MTP].
Francis Davis Millet wrote to Sam that he was sending “a sample barrel of cigars,” and listed his favorite brands. “May God preserve you a thousand year!” [MTP].
Henry Tudor inscribed his portrait: “To dear Mark Twain / with the gratitude of nearly half a Century—all the sounder for growing old in a bottle—Henry Tudor / Christmas, 1905” [MTP].
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