February 11 Tuesday – Sam hosted his second “Doe Luncheon” at 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. [Feb. 7 to Mary Rogers; IVL TS 20].
Sam also sketched drawings to Dorothea Gilder and Helena Gilder (Mrs. Richard Watson Gilder), guests of the luncheon. To Dorothea he drew a sailboat with two figures on deck and one falling overboard, then wrote, “Ship sinking—man overboard / SLC.” To Helena he wrote a lady with an umbrella in the rain and wrote, “Lady out in the rain / SLC.” [MTP].
For Kate Douglas Riggs (aka Wiggin), Sam also drew a cow, drawn sideways, with the caption, “A cow is a dern hard picture to make. / SLC” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to William Butler Duncan. “I am confined to the house again, but shall be out by the 19th without doubt & glad to be present at the dinner in honor of his Excellency our well-deserving Ambassador” [MTP]. Note: this refers to the Whitelaw Reid dinner at the Pilgrim’s Club on Feb. 19.
Sam also wrote to Charles J. Langdon, at this time in Pasadena, Calif.
There is good news from Julie; also from Jean, who has taken a house in Greenwich, Conn., & is much happier than she was in that desolate sanitarium; Clara is fat & prosperous; my own condition is quite satisfactory. I spent 9 days in Bermuda & beat the bronchitis for once, anyway. But you did well to stay away from there, for Bermuda is not for you. You would find it deadly dull & you couldn’t endure it, whereas dulness & nothing doing is good & satisfactory medicine for me—much the best I know of. I am glad Pasadena is treating you so well; & glad, too, that you are young enough not to mind that awful land-journey. It would kill me, I think. Jervis is going to invite Mr. Carnegie & me to visit the new organ, & I am waiting with high anticipations.
With very best wishes for your continued improvement, Yours with love, / Saml [MTP]. Note: See Jan. 9 for Jean’s move to Greenwich.
Sarah S. Collier (Mrs. Robert J. Collier) wrote to accept Sam’s invitation for the Doe Luncheon this day [MTP].
Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Miss Lyon sending the signed John W. Postgate contract [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “Answd. Feb. 18, 08”
Kate Douglas Riggs wrote to Sam: “At the first Doe Luncheon I sat at Mr. Clemens’s end of the table, & at the Second at the other end. Am I therefore to be regarded as a sort of Innu-End- doe?” [MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “You can tell her she mustn’t bother her head with these difficulties—She’s merely to be regarded as the sweetest think there is”
The New York Times, p. 7, “Pink Ball At Plaza To Help the Blind” announced that on Mar. 2 at the Plaza, “One of the novel entertainments of the season” would take place, “the bal de rose, or pink ball, a subscription affair,” with proceeds going to the New York Assoc. for the Blind.
Mark Twain was headlined along with the French Ambassador, President Butler of Columbia as patrons. Tickets were $5 each. Note: Nicholas Murray Butler (1862-1947), President of Columbia 1902-1945.