October 20 Tuesday – Sam was at Col. Harvey’s “country house” in Deal Beach, N.J. [IVL Oct. 19].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: A good part of the burglar alarm system was installed yesterday. The gong is just outside my door, the indicator is just in my bath room, and last night I slept as I have not slept for nearly 5 weeks, for there has been no night since Sept. 18th without a terrified mental shriek in it. It is not fear, it is a pathological condition.
Such deeps of loneliness with the King away!
There is such a confusion over the servants and the confusion lies not in the servant department, but in a part of the house that gives itself credit for a high line of conduct. I was to go with the King to Irvington yesterday—but I dared not leave this house to a certain derangement and a possible clearing-out of the present working force. The servants do not want more than one head—hence the wearying, wearying confusion [MTP: IVL TS 73-74].
Jean Clemens wrote from Berlin to Isabel Lyon
Dear Lioness; / In haste & speed, I write to tell you, that as my average expenses will be nearly two hundred marks a week & I have only four hundred still on the letter of credit, I hope you will make some further arrangement at once. By the time you succeed in sending me some money by mail I shall be nearly minus. Of course, it may not amount to absolutely that each week, but it won’t be far from it. I have arranged today to make my own tea, so the MO. 75 a day will be saved & even cover the purchase of the lamp & two cups.
I am being careful but it is not possible to get low rates & at all decent food. … Love to Father & the Spider [Clara] [MTP].
Gratia H. Bain wrote from Rutherford, NJ to ask Sam for “a few lines” [MTP]. Note: IVL: “Thanks for letter, & wishes he were able to grant request, but such demands come with every mail”
Edmund W. Ballentine wrote from Chicago, Ill. to remind Sam of a conversation in his Hartford home “some years ago” when Sam said if he ever spoke in Chicago he would hire Ballentine to manage the event, and Clemens had further said no greater pleasure would be his than to appear with James Whitcomb Riley. Ballentine recently visited Riley who agreed to come out of retirement from the platform if Twain would come to Chicago and appear with him [MTP].