December 31 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “The puppy & the Christian are born blind. The puppy gets over it” [NB 47 TS 17].

George Standring sent Sam a 3×4” card with his name nicely written in the center, and in the upper left corner, was printed:

“A PLAIN CARD: FROM A PLAIN MAN: WITH NEW YEAR GREETING; WISHING YOU ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN REASONABLY HOPE FOR OR DESIRE IN THE YEAR NOW ABOUT TO BEGIN—–FROM GEORGE STANDRING TO” [MTP].

Editor’s note: The break here at the end of 1904 is a significant and propitious one. Samuel Clemens is just beginning to come out of his deepest mourning for the light of his life. He has taken a three-year lease on a N.Y.C. house, and has shown interest in political and social issues that would thrust him more fully into the role of American Sage. Without Livy’s influence and sometimes brake upon his expressed opinions, he would courageously stand as the conscience of the country. His dictations for his 100 year autobiography would begin anew in 1906 creating a torrent of manuscript that is even today being sorted out. Sam had taken the worst blows life had to offer by the end of 1904; perhaps his best writing was behind him; but certainly not his best living.