Submitted by scott on

September – The North American Review published the final segment of Sam’s essay, “In Defense of Harriet Shelley” (July–Sept.).

Sometime during the month in Etretat, France, Sam wrote to Joseph E. Hinds and/or Samuel Sothey Hinds (1875-1948), probably brothers, born in Brooklyn. Joseph was vice president of U.S. Printing Co. in Brooklyn. Samuel became a millionaire lawyer who went broke in the Wall Street crash of 1929, then turned to playing bit parts in movies, and ultimately acted in 214 films, including It’s a Wonderful Life. In films he played the distinguished man of wealth he’d been before the crash. Evidently, one or both of the brothers had solicited a word of wisdom from Sam:

Friend Hinds —

If I may, I will suggest this sentiment from the philosophy of Pudd’nhead Wilson:

Let us endeavor to so live, that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry [MTP; MTPO].

Day By Day Acknowledgment

Mark Twain Day By Day was originally a print reference, meticulously created by David Fears, who has generously made this work available, via the Center for Mark Twain Studies, as a digital edition.   

Contact Us