February 2 Friday – Sam and Livy’s 24th Wedding Anniversary. Early in the year, possibly at or after Feb. 2, as he and Livy began their 25th year of marriage, Sam wrote in his notebook:

Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century [MT NB, ed. Paine p.235].

Livy answered Sam’s cables of Feb. 1 with one of her own: “We rejoice with you & congratulate you on your well-earned success” [NB 33 TS 53].

In New York Sam wrote to daughter Clara, urging her to write him again.

Then I’ll have 2 letters to answer & that’s easier than answering one, you know [MTP].

Sam promised to buy photos of “Coqeulin and Hading” and get them signed for her, as a “bribe…to let me down easy” [MTP]. Note: Benoît Constant Coquelin (1841-1909) French actor also known as Coquelin ainé; Jane Hading (1859-1933) French actress whose real name was Jeanne Alfredine Trefouret. The two toured the US in 1888 and at this time were in N.Y. — Sam wrote to daughter Clara on Feb. 5 about Coquelin being at a Feb. 4 to 5 gathering.

Sam also inscribed a copy of P&P for the Millicent Library in Fairhaven, Mass., founded by H.H. Rogers and named after his deceased daughter who loved books: To the young contingent among those who enjoy the privileges of the Millicent Library, from one who would like to trade years and reputations with them and start all over again. / Mark Twain / New York, Feb. 2, 1894 [MTP].

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam, thanking him effusively for money sent while Sam had so many debt problems. Mollie was thankful for Sam’s goodness to her father as well. “I have been abusing the Standard Oil Company. I did not know it was run by angels. How wonderful that you have found this magnificent man when you were lost.” (Rogers) [MTP].