May 13 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote a letter of introduction for George M. Robinson, wealthy Elmira furniture maker, to Bram Stoker. “This is George Robinson, a friend of mine of 40 years’ standing, & I hope you will tell him the things he wishes to know, for Clara’s sake & mine” [MTP]. Note: George M. Robinson was a lineal descendant of John Robinson, one of the Mayflower emigrants of 1620. See Aug. 20, 1890 entry, Vol. II. Also, the reference to Clara and the need for Sam’s note become clear by this May 14, 1908, p. 9 squib in the New York Times, under the heading, “MUSIC AND MUSICIANS”:
George M. Robinson sails on the Baltic to-day to arrange for the concert appearance in London and Paris of Miss Clara Clemens, the contralto, daughter of Mark Twain, and Miss Marie Nichols, violinist, who will sail Saturday on the Caronia [Note: Robinson was Clara’s new manager, hired at $300 per month [Hill 215].
Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to Calvin H. Higbie. “Mr. Clemens asks me to write for him & say that he has no idea of the value of the article you speak of; that you might be able to sell it to some newspaper out here, but what they would give you for it is a thing that Mr. Clemens could not possibly determine” [MTP]. Note: this a reply to a non-extant request from Sam’s old mining partner.
Helen S. Allen wrote from Bermuda to Sam.
My dear Mr. Clemen’s,
I was so glad to hear you hadn’t forgotten me but that it was only the mail. How sorry I was to hear that Miss Lyon was ill and I am also glad to hear that she is better now. A dreadful thing happened the other night! Some dogs came and killed all my guinea pigs and rabbits, except one rabbit who hid itself away in the coal room.
There is to be a fancy dress dance at Government House on the 22nd of May. It is the Governor’s little boys birthday and lots of children are asked and some of the cadets from the ships. Maxwell is going as an Indian Chief and I as Juliet, I went in this costume once before.
I have never met Irene, but I saw her with you while she was here and I must admit I envy her being with you in New York.
Mother and Daddy have not decided whether I am to go away this winter to school, but if I do not I am looking forward to seeing you here.
Will you please write to me again soon? because I shall love to here about all your plans and doings.
With lots of love for Miss Lyon and yourself
I remain / Your “Bermuda angel-fish”
Helen Schuyler Allen [MTAq 155-6].
John H. Finley sent a telegram to Sam: “Electric cab will call for you tomorrow morning nine fifteen to bring you to the college for exercises” [MTP]. Note: see May 14 entry.
Jessie G. Happ wrote from South Bend, Ind. to tell Sam the story of his father, who was injured in the Civil War and had been denied twice in applying for a pension increase. Would Clemens aid his father “in bringing this matter before Congress”? [MTP]. Note: IVL: Mr. Clemens would like to be able”
Frederick T. Leigh for Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam.
Dear Mr. Clemens: / You will remember that you referred a letter to us, of Mr. Rossiter Johnson [May 2], Editor-in-Chief of the National Alumni, in which the gentleman offered you $500. for permission to use in his forthcoming set of books, from 2,000 to 4,000 words either from “The Gilded Age” or “Pudd’nhead Wilson” and “Tom Sawyer”.
After considerable consideration and examining into the matter, I think it would be an undesirable thing to grant the permission asked.
We have consistently, for more than four years, refrained from letting anybody print anything from your books in the various collections of authors’ writings, in readers, etc., etc., and it is believed that this policy has been a wise one and resulted in increased sales of your books in sets and singly. As it is, no one can now make use of your name to help them sell the collected writings of others. …[MTP].
Otto H. Kuhn for Kuhn, Loeb & Co., NYC wrote to Sam.
I am obliged for your note of the 13th instant. As I wrote Miss Herts yesterday, existing engagements make it impossible for me to be present at the meeting at your house this afternoon. I regret this exceedingly, both because the object of the Children’s Educational Theatre is particulary sympathetic to me and because it would have afforded me much pleasure to meet you and the other gentlemen concerned [MTP].
I’m just going to write you this letter to see how famous you are & not put any address on it. Do tell me if it reaches you! / DMS
Dorothy Sturgis wrote to Sam.
Dear Mr. Clemens
—————
Samuel Clemens
21 5 Ave.
N.Y.
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I put this on so that if they don’t know your address they will find it inside [MTAq 156]. Note: Sam wrote on the page, “It arrived promptly.”