December 24 Wednesday – Livy recited “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” for Susy and Clara.  Sam, wearing a Santa Claus beard, rushed into the room and told the girls stories about his old times and travels [Powers, MT A Life 433].

James J. Lampton wrote a three-page letter to Sam, postmarked St. Louis, Dec. 26. Lampton invited Sam and his “wee bairns” to the wedding of his daughter, Katie B. Lampton on Dec. 31 at 9PM to Mr. Corey E. Paxon, of St. Louis. Sam wrote on the envelope: “From ‘Col. Sellers’.” Lampton claimed that Katie was the “image of Sam’s mother at that age.” [MTP]. Note: Since the wedding was only five days after the invitation was mailed and but a couple after Sam received the letter, the Clemens family could hardly have put a trip together on that short notice.