April 13 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote a note of introduction for Maxim Gorky to Josiah Flint Willard at 119 Waverly Place, N.Y.C., replying to Willard’s Apr. 12:
“Dear Maxim Gorky: / M . Willard, the bearer of this, begs me to give him a line of introduction to you & I comply with his request in the conviction that you will find him interesting, since, like yourself, he has seen the seamy side of life & has had adventures” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Charlotte Teller Johnson.
Now then, dear Charlotte, you need some forgiveness yourself! I have to admire that letter, I can’t help it, for it is wonderful; its match may exist somewhere in literature, but its superior doesn’t. ….
…The hand that wrote that letter can do the Mirabean—that I know. If you yourself have had any doubts, brush them away; for there is greatness in you, Charlotte,—more of it than you suspect, I think. You are going to surpass your utmost anticipations.
Next Thursday that lecture at Carnegie Hall—why did I make that engagement! it exasperates me to think of it—oh, more than that, it makes me sick, it nauseates me. Be good—come & see me Wednesday morning & see if you cannot help me get rid of that fatal feeling. Will you do that? Will you?
Those lovely flowers! Dear me, you didn’t forget anything! I’ll give you my stiletto when you come—I realize that I don’t know how to use it [MTP].
Sebastiano V. Cecchi wrote from Florence, Italy to Sam. “I was glad to get your news through Miss Lyon’s letter of the 11 Feby. and hope you continue to be well.” A friend had sent him a magazine which covered Sam’s 70 Birthday celebration and Cecchi enjoyed Sam’s speech.
Traverso had advised him that Countess Massiglia’s charges of perjury against Sam’s “late servants Bruschi & Folli” resulted in a not guilty verdict, so another “fiasco in on record for the late landlord & landlady of yours!” Traverso had sent him lawyer’s bills amounting to 552.70 —“be so good as to give me your instructions about them.” He also wanted to know if Sam wanted to proceed with the old lawsuit [MTP].
Edith V. Conlis wrote from NYC to Sam. She and her sister were artists, daughters of James Conlis of Farmington, Conn. and she requested an interview [MTP].
F.T. Richards wrote from NYC to Sam. A devoted fan, Richards wrote: “I am sending you the original drawing of ‘Life’s’ Monthly Calendar in which your 70 anniversary is recorded. / If you will allow me to present it to you , it will give me great pleasure” [MTP].
Carolyn Wells wrote to Sam from Rahway, N.J., having seen Sam as “truly affable and amiable…at close range” at his birthday dinner. She had since been “trying to screw up her courage” to ask him to write in her book, “which as you can see for yourself, is no common or garden autograph album. Please join the Mermaid Club as a most Honorable Honorary and Honored Member, and then, if you will, return the book to my New York address no. 12 East 22 Street” [MTP].
“Dear Maxim Gorky: / M . Willard, the bearer of this, begs me to give him a line of introduction to you & I comply with his request in the conviction that you will find him interesting, since, like yourself, he has seen the seamy side of life & has had adventures” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Charlotte Teller Johnson.
Now then, dear Charlotte, you need some forgiveness yourself! I have to admire that letter, I can’t help it, for it is wonderful; its match may exist somewhere in literature, but its superior doesn’t. ….
…The hand that wrote that letter can do the Mirabean—that I know. If you yourself have had any doubts, brush them away; for there is greatness in you, Charlotte,—more of it than you suspect, I think. You are going to surpass your utmost anticipations.
Next Thursday that lecture at Carnegie Hall—why did I make that engagement! it exasperates me to think of it—oh, more than that, it makes me sick, it nauseates me. Be good—come & see me Wednesday morning & see if you cannot help me get rid of that fatal feeling. Will you do that? Will you?
Those lovely flowers! Dear me, you didn’t forget anything! I’ll give you my stiletto when you come—I realize that I don’t know how to use it [MTP].
Sebastiano V. Cecchi wrote from Florence, Italy to Sam. “I was glad to get your news through Miss Lyon’s letter of the 11 Feby. and hope you continue to be well.” A friend had sent him a magazine which covered Sam’s 70 Birthday celebration and Cecchi enjoyed Sam’s speech.
Traverso had advised him that Countess Massiglia’s charges of perjury against Sam’s “late servants Bruschi & Folli” resulted in a not guilty verdict, so another “fiasco in on record for the late landlord & landlady of yours!” Traverso had sent him lawyer’s bills amounting to 552.70 —“be so good as to give me your instructions about them.” He also wanted to know if Sam wanted to proceed with the old lawsuit [MTP].
Edith V. Conlis wrote from NYC to Sam. She and her sister were artists, daughters of James Conlis of Farmington, Conn. and she requested an interview [MTP].
F.T. Richards wrote from NYC to Sam. A devoted fan, Richards wrote: “I am sending you the original drawing of ‘Life’s’ Monthly Calendar in which your 70 anniversary is recorded. / If you will allow me to present it to you , it will give me great pleasure” [MTP].
Carolyn Wells wrote to Sam from Rahway, N.J., having seen Sam as “truly affable and amiable…at close range” at his birthday dinner. She had since been “trying to screw up her courage” to ask him to write in her book, “which as you can see for yourself, is no common or garden autograph album. Please join the Mermaid Club as a most Honorable Honorary and Honored Member, and then, if you will, return the book to my New York address no. 12 East 22 Street” [MTP].
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