January 5 Thursday – Literally thousands of articles, reprints, and mentions of Mark Twain appeared in American newspapers from coast to coast during this period. This tidbit, from the Dallas Morning News, p. 6, borrowed from an unspecified issue of Harper’s Weekly:

What Is In a Name.

Mark Twain once went into a restaurant and sat down at a table near a solitary man who had just arrived and was giving his order to the waiter.

“Bring me some of the best broiled lobster you have in the house,” said the man. “Er—just mention my name to the cook—Mr. Sobble.”

The waiter bowed obsequiously, and turned to Mark Twain’s order. The incident had not been lost on Mr. Clemens.

“Bring me half a dozen oysters,” he said. “Oh—just mention my name to each one of them —Mark Twain.” — Harper’s Weekly.

[Note: A similar anecdote was found in Current Literature (Magazine) for June 1904].

Sam’s notebook: 

Mrs. J.S. Copley Greene

354 Marlboro st [NB 47A TS 2].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Another drowsing lifeless day for Mr. Clemens. He has no interest in life or things and his day sleeping does not refresh him. Mr. Dunne (Mr. Dooley) came in today and greeted me cordially from among the dusty books. He wanted to see Mr. Clemens and ask him to go to a banquet down in Washington; but since that is quite impossible he will some day come for a talk with Mr. Clemens. He is agreeable [MTP: TS 36].