December 18 Friday – In N.Y.C. H.H. Rogers wrote to Sam.

 Revered Doctor:

      I knew you many years ago, before you got piety and the balance of your vices, and I suppose you may have a remembrance of me because of my distinction as an evangelist.

      There is going to be a conference at Norfolk in the course or two or three weeks, to open up our religious work in Virginia and West Virginia. There will probably be a great many people there; but the more distinguished ones will be the Rev. Doctor Broughton, perhaps Deacon Coe and that budding bundle of hopefulness, Mr. Harry Rogers. In other words, they are going to open up the railroad by a few choice spirits, and if you would like to join the saintly party, perhaps we will include the Elder Benjamin. I don’t suppose you really want to; but then it is my Christian duty to invite you. Do you think that you could endure the company of such choice people for a day or two, or long enough to make the trip? If so, formal invitation will be sent you, together with your railroad fares and the other perquisites that will follow. Dr. Rice may be included, although that is yet in doubt.

      Now, to get down to worldly things:—I have to say that Mrs. Benjamin has quite fully recovered from her illness and we are breathing freely again. Mrs. Rogers is fairly well, as are all the others of the flock. Why don’t you come down and make us a visit? We have had that promise for a long time. Mrs. Rogers is inclined to fit up a hen house for you at Fairhaven because you are getting so secluded. I think I have said about all I want to say at the present time, and so will hope to meet you face to face in the near future, when we will either discuss this case or fight it out.

      I was sorry to have missed our beloved Betsy when she called about ten days ago; but I heard that she had been in your company for three or four days, and while that was to be regretted, I was glad to know that she had the opportunity of exercising her moral influence on your saintly home. Goodbye! / Yours truly / H H Rogers [MTHHR 656-7]. Note: Betsy was Elizabeth Wallace.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Gabrilowitsch is here. Such a rich personality the man has. He has a fortnight holiday & must spend it somewhere in studying, & perhaps will stay here. Benar, who daily grows or shows that he is a man flower arrived by the 2 o’clock train with beautiful enlargements of the photos I made of Betsy. After dinner Gabrilowitsch & I walked 3 times around the circle in the snow. He in the King’s galoshes & I in pair of the King’s old white trousers tucked into my rubber boots [MTP: IVL TS 83].

Charles A. Ellicock for the Young Men’s Mark Twain Club, Cleveland Ohio wrote to ask for his autographed photo [MTP].

Funk & Wagnalls wrote to Sam, sending him a copy of The Palace of Danger; A Story of Pompadour (1908) by Mabel Wagnalls. The letter mentions “the inscription which we have written under your name in the book” and requests “a word of commendation, with your permission to use it in public” [MTP; Gribben 730].

Seymour H. Ransom wrote from Ransomville, NY to invite Sam to speak at the annual picnic of the  Niagara County Pioneer’s Assoc [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 23 MLH”

E.B. Schaeffer wrote from Middletown, PA to wish Sam birthday greetings “a little late.” He sent a puzzle on paper (not in file) which, when solved, would spell out Samuel Clemens [MTP].