April 16 Monday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Nikolai V. Chaikovsky. “Mr. C asks me to write for him and say that he is not going to take any public notice of the man Spiridovitch. He is not too troubled about the matter” [MTP]. Note: Alexander Spiridovitch (1873-1952), Russian police general. In 1906 Spiridovitch was assigned to a detail guarding the residences of Czar Nicholas II. When the Russian prime minister Pyotr Stolypin was assassinated in Kiev, Spiridovich was investigated, but cleared of any charges, and he retained his position.
Sam also wrote a reply that is pure Twain to the Apr. 11 from Charles Butler Fenton.
Dear Capt. Fenton: / I remember you very well & very pleasantly & I remember that voyage very well also—but not so pleasantly. As to your request for a postponement of my lecture date, the spirit is willing but the difficulties are so great as to be prohibitive. Let us get up a compromise. If you should postpone your wedding you would disappoint only one person— besides yourself. If I should postpone my lecture I should disappoint 3000 persons beside myself. If you were going to marry 3000 ladies & I were going to lecture to only one person the wedding would be incomparably the more important occasion of the 2 & I would promptly surrender to that great fact & postpone my lecture. There is one perfectly right & fair & equitable way out of our snarl. If you will marry 3000 ladies I will postpone. If you persist in limiting yourself to one, then you must postpone & come to the lecture.—both of you. I am a little vain of this idea—I don’t think Solomon himself could beat it for straight & stern & uncompromising justice to all parties concerned [MTP]. Note: Fenton later helped with the opening of the Panama Canal; he lived to be 100.
Sam also wrote to Joe Goodman in Alameda, Calif.
Dear Joe: / I thank you very much. I shall advise with the Harpers & then write Tufts.
Well, we are having a time here, over Russia! / Yours ever / Mark [MTP]. Note: Sam referred to the Gorky scandal.
Daniel Carter Beard for the Society of Illustrators wrote to Sam. “The Society of Illustrators is not going to have a dinner so don’t be alarmed, but we are going to have an informal smoker at the Aldine Ass[oc] on Saturday night at 9 PM April the twenty first, and if you will come and smoke with us, no speech, we will feel highly complimented” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the letter, “Will try to be present / Mr Dougherty.” The MTP catalogs Sam’s reply as “ca.18 April.” See entry.
Frederick D. Grant wrote from Governor’s Island, NY to Sam. “I am looking forward with the greatest pleasure to presiding at the meeting to be held on the 19 Carnegie Hall, for the benefit of the Fulton Memorial, when you are to lecture.” Grant wanted to know if Sam would touch on any political questions regarding the US or any other country, as this would cause him embarrassment. As an Army officer he was not allowed to make such opinions public and thought Sam might do so at the event. He provided his phone number should Sam want to discuss this issue, and marked his letter “Confidential” [MTP].
Gertrude Natkin wrote to Sam.
Perhaps it is rather inconsiderate of me to write to you at such a busy time but I cant restrain myself from sending you some love and blots [kisses]. Of course I shall keep a good many of these imaginary blots and bring them forth into real ones for Thursday evening. I am quite sure you will accept them then.
I was going to send you a cartoon that was in the paper Friday evening but Miss Lyon told me that you have already seen it.
I almost forgot, I am taking up too much of your time because when you are not busy I want you to rest. I hope you will be already to receive a volley of “real” blots. / Good night [MTAq 25-6]. Note: Sam was to give a speech for the Fulton Assoc. on Apr. 19. Getrude referred to an Apr. 13 cartoon, possibly:
Insert cartoon: Idaho Statesman, p.10, Apr. 13, 1906
(smaller text in right corner: “Uncle Mick will appreciate him”)
Belle Vernon wrote on The National Arts Club, NYC letterhead to Sam. She reminded him she had been one of Miss Porter’s girls at Farmington years before. Since Sam was “so delightful” at the Woman’s University Club, she invited him to dine at the Club on Wed. evening Apr. 18 at 7:30 p.m. [MTP].
April 16 ca. – Old Guard of the City of NY sent Sam a handwritten invitation to their Anniversary dinner at the Hotel Astor on Monday Apr. 23 at 7 p.m. [MTP].