January 12 Sunday – The New York Times, p.9, reported another event for this evening, where Mark Twain would be in attendance:
INVITED BY NORIDCA.
———
Mark Twain, Dr. Butler, Edison, and Sir Purdon Clarke to be Singer’s Guests.
There will be a veritable herd of social lions at Sherry’s to-night, when Mme. Nordica gives her musicale for more than 400 guests. She has engaged the entire second floor suite for the occasion.
Among the celebrities in various walks of life, who have accepted invitations are Mark Twain, Thomas A. Edison, Richard Watson Gilder, Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, Gustav Mahler, James Russel Soley, Karl Muck, Mme. Eames, Mme. Homer, Mme. Sembrich, George Munzig, Clyde Fitch, Frederick Townsend Martin, Sir Purdon Clarke, and Brander Matthews.
Society will be represented by Mrs. Styvesant Fish, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, Mrs. George Jay Gould, Mrs. Ogden Mills, Mrs. Orme Wilson, Mrs. Henry Clews, Mrs. Reginald C. Vanderbilt, and Mrs. I. Townsend Burden.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: AB has a talent for early rising. A little note left at my door said that his train left at 7:30 and he played billiards until 3:30 this morning after he & the King came over from the Lotos Dinner. The morning the King said that they stopped playing only because he “was weak from loss of profanity.”
Eulabee Dix came in & made the first sketch for the King’s miniature.
Minnie Maddern Fiske said a good thing: “Most women love with their nerves.”
[written on separate, undated scraps inserted at January 12, 1908]
As I may be in jail next week—would like to see him—brought a proceeding to attempt.
So Ashcroft at 3? Thursday?
“1601” author or publisher?
If Mr. Orr or his heirs would but put this letter up for sale! Perhaps it will happen [MTP: IVL TS 7].
Irving Bacheller for Camp Fire Club of America wrote from Riverside, Conn. to invite Sam to the annual ladies night [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote for Sam on the letter, “I never liked an annual lady at all—I like a permanent one”.
Thomas Coupe wrote to ask Sam if he was the gentleman who, on Christmas morning about 11 a.m., rode on a 42nd Street crosstown car, giving the conductor 15 cents and telling him to keep the dime for himself? Coupe was that conductor, and the rider was said later to be Mark Twain. He wanted to know so he might cherish the dime [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Answd. Jan. 17, 08”
Dorothy Quick wrote from Plainfield, N.J. to Sam.
My Dear Mr Clemens
Thank you so much for your letter I shall be so glad to come in next Saturday and stay until Monday don’t bother about taking me to the theathre [sic] unless there is something you especially want to see and I shall be perfectly satisfied to stay home with you and play pool I hope you are well with lots of love to Miss Lyon and a hundred hugs and kisses for yourself / I am / your loving little / Dorothy [MTP:MTAq 95].