November 9 Monday – In Berlin Sam wrote to Poultney Bigelow (1855-1954), American journalist and author; one of the guests of the “grand official dinner” by William Walter Phelps on Oct. 31.

Thank you for your kindness. When I read your note at breakfast, one of the children said: “At this rate, papa, there presently won’t be any body left for you to get acquainted with but the Deity.”

I could have said: “No — you are out, there. HE has visited me more than once — rheumatically and otherwise.” But there would have been so much truth in that I didn’t say it.

One mustn’t waste the truth; there isn’t an overstock of it in the world [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore about Brown & Gross handling their magazines, and that Whitmore could keep or give away one copy of Harper’s, as he didn’t need two. He complained yet of writing being “torture” [MTP]. Note: Sam stayed up to date with US news and literary developments by magazines and newspapers while in Europe.

A.G. Rogers for Commercial House, Bethany, Mo. wrote asking Sam to write a play for his four daughters, ages 21 to 10, who had been studying on the stage with Miss Grace Hezlep [MTP].