July 11 Tuesday – In Dublin, N.H. Sam wrote a squib to Harper’s Weekly Editor, which ran in the Aug. 12 issue.
“DIOGENES AND HIS LANTERN”
NEW YORK, July 11 1905.
To the Editor of Harper’s Weekly:
SIR,—I was not surprised to observe in your last issue an advertisement from old man Diogenes, offering his lantern for sale, cheap. Don’t imagine he has given up the hunt he has prosecuted for so many years. Not on your life, as boys say. He has merely waked up to the fact that the times are more strenuous, and his lantern is behind the times, and it takes more than a mere light of that sort to find the kind of man he wants nowadays. I happen to know that he placed an order with a certain large firm last week for a search-light of a good many horse- power, to be operated by the latest electrical devices.
I am, sir, OBSERVING PHILOSOPHER [Harper’s Weekly Aug. 12, 1905].
H.H. Rogers wrote to Sam from N.Y.C. acknowledging his letter of July 9. He encouraged Sam to “sail down to Fairhaven and build yourself up.” I am very sorry that you are not able to do more work than you state, but the truth is you are like Lawson, —you are played out; he has lost his voice because he has nothing further to say. You need inspiration. Come down to the factory and get it.
I send you herewith a check for $4731.25. I think you ought to give about a quarter of it to the man whom I am reminded of when I think of that old Negro song: “Ole Joe kickin up ahind and afore; Yaller Gal kickin’ up ahind Ole Joe,” etc., etc.
Rice was with us last night, as cheerful and as disagreeable as ever. He has an opinion of you which I would not dare to express in a letter. …[MTHHR 589-90].
Notes: Thomas W. Lawson (1857-1924), muckraker journalist, wrote articles running serially in Everybody’s Magazine since July 1904 denouncing Rogers. Lawson followed the articles with a speaking tour, but lost his voice after two stops. See n1 source. The check was profit from Wall Street investments, sent so that Sam could take credit for a $1,500 contribution to Joe Twichell, who was having financial problems. See July 13 to Twichell.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “All day Mr. Clemens and Mr. Duneka have talked. After lunch Mr. Clemens spoke of the nice example of protective coloration that came into his own experience this morning” [MTP TS 76].
Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Mr. Clemens received notes for $100 each sent by W.E. Forgy, Texas lawyer, for Sanford Wilson who has bought the Texas property” [MTP TS 23].
John Larkin, attorney, wrote to Sam, enclosing a letter from Howells & Stokes about the heating system at 21 Fifth Ave. [MTP].
Marshall Pinckney Wilder (1859-1915) wrote a small card to Sam that does not appear to have been mailed, perhaps delivered: “I am just mailing you my book. I know just how busy you are but you have always been such a good friend to me I wanted you to know I did not forget you” [Gribben 770; MTP]. Note: Gribben identifies the book as The Sunny Side of the Street (1905).
“DIOGENES AND HIS LANTERN”
NEW YORK, July 11 1905.
To the Editor of Harper’s Weekly:
SIR,—I was not surprised to observe in your last issue an advertisement from old man Diogenes, offering his lantern for sale, cheap. Don’t imagine he has given up the hunt he has prosecuted for so many years. Not on your life, as boys say. He has merely waked up to the fact that the times are more strenuous, and his lantern is behind the times, and it takes more than a mere light of that sort to find the kind of man he wants nowadays. I happen to know that he placed an order with a certain large firm last week for a search-light of a good many horse- power, to be operated by the latest electrical devices.
I am, sir, OBSERVING PHILOSOPHER [Harper’s Weekly Aug. 12, 1905].
H.H. Rogers wrote to Sam from N.Y.C. acknowledging his letter of July 9. He encouraged Sam to “sail down to Fairhaven and build yourself up.” I am very sorry that you are not able to do more work than you state, but the truth is you are like Lawson, —you are played out; he has lost his voice because he has nothing further to say. You need inspiration. Come down to the factory and get it.
I send you herewith a check for $4731.25. I think you ought to give about a quarter of it to the man whom I am reminded of when I think of that old Negro song: “Ole Joe kickin up ahind and afore; Yaller Gal kickin’ up ahind Ole Joe,” etc., etc.
Rice was with us last night, as cheerful and as disagreeable as ever. He has an opinion of you which I would not dare to express in a letter. …[MTHHR 589-90].
Notes: Thomas W. Lawson (1857-1924), muckraker journalist, wrote articles running serially in Everybody’s Magazine since July 1904 denouncing Rogers. Lawson followed the articles with a speaking tour, but lost his voice after two stops. See n1 source. The check was profit from Wall Street investments, sent so that Sam could take credit for a $1,500 contribution to Joe Twichell, who was having financial problems. See July 13 to Twichell.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “All day Mr. Clemens and Mr. Duneka have talked. After lunch Mr. Clemens spoke of the nice example of protective coloration that came into his own experience this morning” [MTP TS 76].
Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Mr. Clemens received notes for $100 each sent by W.E. Forgy, Texas lawyer, for Sanford Wilson who has bought the Texas property” [MTP TS 23].
John Larkin, attorney, wrote to Sam, enclosing a letter from Howells & Stokes about the heating system at 21 Fifth Ave. [MTP].
Marshall Pinckney Wilder (1859-1915) wrote a small card to Sam that does not appear to have been mailed, perhaps delivered: “I am just mailing you my book. I know just how busy you are but you have always been such a good friend to me I wanted you to know I did not forget you” [Gribben 770; MTP]. Note: Gribben identifies the book as The Sunny Side of the Street (1905).
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