February 6 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon wrote to Harriet E. Whitmore (Mrs. Franklin G. Whitmore).

This is just a hasty little note to tell you that Katie is planning to run up to Hartford on Thursday of this week to look after and bring away the boxes in the Safety Deposit vaults. If you have the keys will you kindly give them to M . Whitmore so that Katie can get them from his office?

Saturday M . Clemens had on all his clothes—& a necktie—for the first time in 7 weeks. He has been busy—been writing a wonderfully strong article on the Russian Crisis. He is so much the most interesting man ever.

Jean is well—she is studying three languages—just ripping. We are a very peaceful household —Katie is good & valuable beyond words. It was a fearful wrench and re-adjustment for every one—and it is quite lovely to see how Katie does everything—“as M . Clemens used to.” Last month M . and M . Twichell were here for a night, and it did M . Clemens a great deal of good for he had been depressed. He lives much in the past, speaking constantly of those who are gone. Every moment I am busy—even all day Sunday—and life is grandly interesting [MTP].

Andrew M. Clute, Tarrytown attorney, sent Sam a bill for $75 for legal services in connection with the encroachment matter on Sam’s Tarrytown property (enclosed in Benjamin’s Feb. 7) [MTP].

John Y. MacAlister wrote to Sam. After asking after his health, Mac related telling Ashcroft all he could remember of his connection with the Henry Butters episode. He warned Sam not to sue unless he had a good attorney and was sure of winning, “Put him [atty] to the test by asking him to try the case on the ‘no-cure-no-pay’ principle.” He vilified Butters, being now convinced there was a hell and that Butters would be going there: “so leave Butters to go to hell, and save your money, unless…your chances of success are about ten to one” [MTP].

Raffaello Stiattesi wrote to advise Sam in his “action of this moment against the countess Massiglia,” pointing out that “no one can be happier or greater than when he pardons and forgets injuries” [MTP]. ].