September 13 Friday – In Elmira Sam wrote to John C. Bostelmann, the Clemens girls’ music teacher whom Clara Clemens raved about in her July 15 (spelled there Bostlemann). Sam enclosed a check and wrote that even though the amount was owed for the lessons, “They were worth a great deal more.”

For years I have been brought into daily contact with teachers of various arts, but I have seen none but you that could compress the meat and marrow of five lessons into one…. I have listened while you have taught the children, and have been beguiled from my work and my duties by the enjoyment I got out of watching and analyzing the processes that make a fine art out of what as a rule is grubbing drudgery, and confer entertainment where customarily suffering is inflicted [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Mary Mason Fairbanks. The Fairbanks’ had lost their newspaper interest in Cleveland, and had moved to Omaha to live for a time with their daughter Mollie and her husband. Sam related recent events: the Charles Langdon family’s departure for a year in Europe; Theodore Crane’s death and Sue Crane’s suffering, and Jean Clemens’ sorrow over his death:

The earned heartbreak of a little child must be high & honorable testimony for a parting spirit to carry before the Throne [MTMF 263-4].

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore.

I have sent $15,000 to the U.S. Bank today. Make no mention of it to anybody. You will use from it to square up with P & W [Pratt & Whitney] the 20th if Paige wishes it done; but if he wants to wait a while, do as he desires. I shall doubtless be there, with the family, the 19th [MTP].