October 13 Saturday – At the Hotel d’Angleterre in Rouen, France, Sam wrote to Frank Bliss after receiving his telegram. Bliss was getting ready to publish PW by subscription. Sam didn’t want a dedication in the book, claiming he’d “discarded the custom,” but pointed out the introduction, which was the opening paragraphs of the “Twins.” He answered questions about PW’s calendar and then advised that the family was “stalled” in Rouen for another two or three weeks [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Lloyd S. Bryce, owner and editor of the North American Review (see Sept. 26 entry for information on Bryce). After disclosing that the family was stalled in Rouen waiting for the doctor to release Susy, Sam wrote of an article he was working on:

I am writing an article contrasting our contributions to modern civilization with France’s. I see that Paul Bourget remarks that these strange Americans “take pell-mell the best & the worst of OUR civilization.” I like that! France hasn’t any to speak of, except what she got at second-hand. Perhaps you may like the article. Paul’s book is wretchedly small game, & not much short of idiotic; but I kind of love small game [MTP].

Sam also wrote to H.H. Rogers, after receiving his letter of Oct. 2 (not extant).

…I can hardly keep from sending a Hurrah by cable. I would certainly do it if I wasn’t so superstitious. The Germans say that every time you hurrah you attract the attention of the Devil. That ain’t my trouble. I don’t want to attract the attention of Providence. I always get along best when I am left alone. …

Sam felt the Paige situation was progressing nicely:

All the words are charming — from Scott, Webster, Davis — & it is astonishing, the way Paige took his molasses. I think he will march to your diplomatic music right along. The Heralds have come, & certainly the machine’s work is as neat as neat can be.

[Note: James Wilmot Scott of the Chicago Herald, Towner K. Webster of T.K. Webster Mfg., Charles E. Davis, engineer and Paige’s assistant, who had worked on the machine since Hartford].

Sam also reported interesting the North American Review with his Bourget articles [MTHHR 85-6].