March 17 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to an unidentified person:
“Mr. Clemens not very well wishes me to thank you very much for your letter which greatly interested him—& that far from objecting to his translating the article into French it is a compliment which I accept with pleasure & hold at a high value—” [MTP].
Isabel Lyon’s journal:
This morning C.C. went off to Atlantic City again, & the day was a rushing, busy one. Mr. Clemens is not any better, but on the other hand he doesn’t seem to be worse. Mr. Dearborn came in to talk up the Carnegie lecture & the price for the tickets, and Jean came in late for tea from her Italian lesson, her hair much blown & with the news that she had bought 5 dozen handkerchiefs at a kind of a sale at McCreery’s. The day was dreary because Mr. Clemens didn’t leave his bed at all & the moments are very anxious ones when he is not well. Cold in the head set in, he sent for Dr. Helmer who nursed him & relieved him [MTP TS 52- 53]. Note: Dr. George J Helmer, Osteopath.
Gertrude Natkin wrote a reply to Sam’s Mar. 13 and Mar 16 notes: “Kindly notify my unknown friend that your little known friend will take due notice of the postponement and try to remain in utter darkness until then / Your Little Known Friend” [MTAq 21]. Note: source gives a telephone call this evening from Miss Lyon to Gertrude with the news that Sam was in bed with a cold.
Mary E. Joyce wrote to Sam. “Thank you very much for the beautiful buttons. I appreciate the trouble you have taken and I am sure the boys will be delighted” [MTP]. Note: Sam helped in securing the buttons for the club of fifteen handicapped boys, as requested by Mary Joyce on Feb. 12.
Jervis Langdon II wrote to Sam.
Dear Uncle Sam: —
I have two messages for you this morning. The first is that Lee and I have a small daughter, not yet two days old, who is a lusty and good natured addition to your list of fond relatives up here in the country. ….
Secondly; we have noted with interest the accounts in the papers of your several outings in motor cars, and this week we see on the cover of an Automobile magazine a picture of you, regally settled in the tonneau of one. My message is that if you have become fond of motoring you must come up here sometime after fine, warm weather arrives and take some trips with me. We have a fairly good automobile of the best of habits….[MTP].
Duffield Osborne, acting secretary of the American Copyright League wrote from 33 East 17 St., N.Y. to Sam: “We are about to send out the inclosed circular letter signed by the members of the Council. Kindly authorize me to use your signature in that connection” [MTP]. Note: Sam answered ca. Mar. 19: “Yes certainly—use it.”
Clara Clemens canceled a reservation on the SS Minnetonka for Europe, which would sail on June 9, and went again to Atlantic City to continue recuperating from her throat ailment [Hill 122].
March 17 ca. – Isabel Lyon replied to John F. Tremain’s Mar. 15 request. See entry.