May 2 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Headache. So ill all day, for I wept without control for hours last night, because I was exhausted, and the fact that Santa [Clara] misunderstood all my efforts, in working over the house. My anxiety over the finishings, my interest in my search for the right thing for the King’s house has all been misinterpreted, and the child says I am trying to ignore her. All my effort has been to please her, to keep her from the dreary search of hours and hours to find the right thing, or shape or color. The King has resented my being out of the house so much, until I’ve told him that I only seem neglectful and that all my days are only for his interest, and that when he thinks that I am out frolicking, I am only trying to save his money and Santa’s strength. Oh, so ill I am [MTP: IVL TS 51].
Charles H. Higgs wrote from Chicago to Sam about CS and the cult which he’d studied for 25 years. Higgs praised the book as “the best presentation of the facts of any work so far,” and advised Sam to revise the first half of the book so as not to “raise prejudice in the minds of some” [MTP].
Rossiter Johnson for the National Alumni wrote to ask Sam’s permission to include 2 to 4,000 word synopses of GA or PW or TS in their forthcoming 20 volume set [MTP]. Note: Harper’s was consulted and, in a May 23 letter to Lyon, they thought it unwise.
Charles J. Langdon wrote to Sam from 355 South Marengo Avenue in Pasadena, Calif., where he’d gone for his health. He asked Sam for an autographed photo for a friend, Joseph E. Hinds, who “lives here and has been very kind to me during my stay.” He finished with: “I expect to be here until about the middle of June and a letter sent to the above address would reach me” [MTP; Mark Woodhouse, Elmira College email Jan. 31, 2011]. Note: Twain signed a photo for Joseph sometime in 1905: see 1905 year listings.
Dorothy Sturgis wrote to Sam.
My dear Mr. Clemens / How do you think I have spent my entire day to-day? Reading “The Prince and the Pauper”. I have always loved it, but now it has an added interest for me since I know its author!
Perhaps you remember that in your last letter to me you spoke of Sothern’s Lord Dundreary.
I saw it when it was here, and thought it was perfectly splendid, and just as funny as it could be! But possibly a little too long drawn out in some places, such as the time when Lord Dundreary has that long conversation with the girl, whom [he] eventually marrys, just outside the house.
Papa went to New York last night on business, and I begged him to take me with him so that I could come and see you, but he remained hard hearted and refused to take me!
Give my love to Miss Lyon, but tell her I shan’t love her any more if she does not send me those pictures of you pretty soon, because you must remember that I have no picture of you at all! On Easter mama gave me a beautiful Japanese silver picture frame, with the opening four inches in diameter, and I am hoping that a picture of you will fit that. / Ever your loving / Dorothy [MTAq 149-50]. Note: Edward H. Sothern; see Apr. 25 entry.