December 8 Friday – In New York Sam wrote to Livy, telling about the prior day’s conference with interests of the type-setter, and of a 4 p.m. reconvening later this day, after Henry H. Rogers held a private meeting with him before the meeting.

The object of this [meeting with Rogers] may be to advise me as to how much stock to stand out for, in exchange for my royalties. And also as to how many royalties to refuse to give up. He wants all other royalties absorbed, if it be possible, but not all of mine.

Sam enclosed Frank Millet’s Dec. 7 note about making a mess of a dinner invitation, and told of receiving a dinner invitation from Mrs. Millet for Sunday, Dec. 10.

I did not know what answer to make, because I had an idea that I was engaged to spend that night (as well as Saturday night) out in New Jersey with the Bunners, (editor of “Puck”), & that Frost the artist was to be there and drink punches with me while the Bunners should drink mulled wine. But just then I ran across Millet up stairs in the library & took his judgment…He said I needn’t answer Mrs. Millet’s note; that he would tell her himself when he got home, for she would probably still be awake.

There seems to be signs about this note that she was still awake. I told this pelican it was a dinner invitation, but he was mooning & didn’t take it in, of course. But I will never take his judgment again in a matter of etiquette. However, I am glad he does not feel bad [MTP].

At 3:45 p.m. Sam and Henry H. Rogers met in a preliminary meeting “to agree upon a detail or two belonging to this stage of the campaign” for the type-setter. At 4 p.m. the conference of Dec. 7 reconvened, with Chicago and Connecticut interests. Sam wrote of this meeting in his Dec. 9 to Livy:

It was beautiful to see Mr. Rogers apply his probe & his bung-starter & remorselessly let out the wind & the water from the so-called “assets” of these companies. And he did it so sweetly & courteously — but he stripped away all the rubbish & laid bare the fact that their whole gaudy property consisted of just $276,000 & no more! Then he said, “Now we know where we stand, gentlemen. I am prepared to listen to a proposition from you to furnish capital.” There was a deep, long silence. Then their spokesman proposed a basis of 50 cents on the dollar. Mr. Rogers said, “We will all think, to-night, & come together in the morning — early. Shall we say 9?” That was agreed to, & he & I went away.

Sam then wrote of Rogers’ talk as they walked on the street. He knew exactly what the interest was worth, “to the farthing,” and that was twelve cents on the dollar, which is what he would offer the next morning. Rogers plan was to leave Livy’s 95 royalties (Sam’s in her name) “undisturbed” [MTP: Dec. 9 to Livy].

Sam’s notebook: “Friday Dec. 8, Mrs. S.G.K. Goetchus, 7 p.m. dinner, 52 W. 58th” [NB 33 TS 43].

In New Orleans, Grace King wrote to Sam about her publishing efforts and wishing the Clemenses a good day on Christmas, which she calculated would be about the time they received her letter [MTP].