March 2 Friday – Clara Clemens returned to Atlantic City; she would make another NY trip on Mar 13 to audition [Hill 122].
At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to Gertrude Natkin in N.Y.C., whom he now referred to as “Marjorie.”
Marjorie dear, Mr. [Charles F.] Powlison has sent tickets—which is very well; it simplifies things.
The house is made up of men, you see. Certainly this is a new kind of matinèe.
He has added come compliments (for me). I have destroyed them. Compliments make me vain; & when I am vain I am insolent & overbearing. It is a pity, too, because I love compliments. I love them even when they are not so. My child, I can live on a good compliment two weeks with nothing else to eat.
Marjorie, Marjorie, listen to me— Listen, you… you…
Do you notice? it’s a poem. I’ve got that far all right. I expect it to be 8 or ten lines when I get it done. It will take a long time, because poetry is very difficult for me, on account of it’s being outside the range of my great talents. I expect to finish that second line during March, & take hold of No. 3 in April. I intend that it shall be exceedingly good when I get done, you dear little creature Friday afternoon. Clemens” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal:
P. S. It was a very nice blot, dear; there couldn’t be a nicer blot than that [MTAq 16]. Note: see Natkin’s Feb. 22 for explanation of the blot.
Sam also sent a telegram to C. Brereton Sharpe for the Plasmon Syndicate in London. “Have made an adjustment of Plasmon controversy preserving your third interest, but must issue $7500 Preferred Stock at par, each shareholder subscribing pro rata. Have agreed subject to confirmation of your subscribing $2500. Advise you to agree to it. Telegraph either yes or no
Santissima went back to Atlantic City. I have been playing to Mr. Clemens, playing his favorites and after I had played many things that he loves I took up the Largo. He sat in the big green tufted chair quite near me, with his back toward me, and when I had finished it he said “If you’re not tired play the Susie one”, that is the Intermezzo. I played it and he said “I can fit the words to both those pieces, as the coffins of Susie & her mother are borne through the dining room & the hall & the drawing room of the Hartford house. Susie calls to me in the Intermezzo & her mother in the Largo, and they are lamenting that they shall see that place no more.” Oh, is soul is so lonely. Days are when it is so terrible [MTP TS 39-40].
Nineteen year old Julius Cohn wrote to Sam on Emil Nathan & Co., Wholesale Liquors (his employer) letterhead. Cohn had not been able to save to buy more of Twain’s books, his father deceased and his earnings supported his mother and sisters—he asked Clemens if he could “let me have a few” books? [MTP].
At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to Gertrude Natkin in N.Y.C., whom he now referred to as “Marjorie.”
Marjorie dear, Mr. [Charles F.] Powlison has sent tickets—which is very well; it simplifies things.
The house is made up of men, you see. Certainly this is a new kind of matinèe.
He has added come compliments (for me). I have destroyed them. Compliments make me vain; & when I am vain I am insolent & overbearing. It is a pity, too, because I love compliments. I love them even when they are not so. My child, I can live on a good compliment two weeks with nothing else to eat.
Marjorie, Marjorie, listen to me— Listen, you… you…
Do you notice? it’s a poem. I’ve got that far all right. I expect it to be 8 or ten lines when I get it done. It will take a long time, because poetry is very difficult for me, on account of it’s being outside the range of my great talents. I expect to finish that second line during March, & take hold of No. 3 in April. I intend that it shall be exceedingly good when I get done, you dear little creature Friday afternoon. Clemens” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal:
P. S. It was a very nice blot, dear; there couldn’t be a nicer blot than that [MTAq 16]. Note: see Natkin’s Feb. 22 for explanation of the blot.
Sam also sent a telegram to C. Brereton Sharpe for the Plasmon Syndicate in London. “Have made an adjustment of Plasmon controversy preserving your third interest, but must issue $7500 Preferred Stock at par, each shareholder subscribing pro rata. Have agreed subject to confirmation of your subscribing $2500. Advise you to agree to it. Telegraph either yes or no
Santissima went back to Atlantic City. I have been playing to Mr. Clemens, playing his favorites and after I had played many things that he loves I took up the Largo. He sat in the big green tufted chair quite near me, with his back toward me, and when I had finished it he said “If you’re not tired play the Susie one”, that is the Intermezzo. I played it and he said “I can fit the words to both those pieces, as the coffins of Susie & her mother are borne through the dining room & the hall & the drawing room of the Hartford house. Susie calls to me in the Intermezzo & her mother in the Largo, and they are lamenting that they shall see that place no more.” Oh, is soul is so lonely. Days are when it is so terrible [MTP TS 39-40].
Nineteen year old Julius Cohn wrote to Sam on Emil Nathan & Co., Wholesale Liquors (his employer) letterhead. Cohn had not been able to save to buy more of Twain’s books, his father deceased and his earnings supported his mother and sisters—he asked Clemens if he could “let me have a few” books? [MTP].
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