November 19 Sunday – Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Times Reporter. 10—” [MTP TS 34].

Marjorie V.d.W. Brooke wrote to Sam, evidently enclosing a photo of her grandfather, who many said looked like Mark Twain—didn’t Sam think him a handsome man? [MTP].

Asa Don Dickinson wrote to Sam.

I happened to be present the other day at a meeting of the children’s librarians of the Brooklyn Public Library. In the course of the meeting it was stated that copies of “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn” were to be found in some of the children’s rooms of the system. The Sup’t of the Children’s Dep’t—a conscientious and enthusiastic young woman—was greatly shocked to hear this, and at once ordered that they be transferred to the adults’ department. Upon this I shamefacedly confessed to having read “Huckleberry Finn” aloud to my defenseless blind people, without regard to their age, color, or previous condition of servitude. I also reminded them of Brander Matthews’s opinion of the book, and stated the fact that I knew it almost at heart, having got more pleasure from it than from any book I have ever read, and reading is the greatest pleasure I have in my life. My warm defense elicited some further discussion and criticism, from which I gathered what the prevailing opinion of Huck was and that he was a deceitful boy who said “sweat” when he should have said “perspiration.” The upshot of this matter was that there is to be further consideration of these books at a meeting early in January which I am especially invited to attend. Seeing you the other night at the performance of “Peter Pan” the thought came to me that you (you knows Huck as well as I—you can’t know him better or love him more—) might be willing to give me a word or two to say in witness of his good character though he “warn’t no more quality than a mud cat.”

I would ask as a favor that you regard this communication as confidential, whether you find time to reply to it or not; for I am loath for obvious reasons to bring the institution from which I draw my salary into ridicule, contempt or reproach [MTP]. Note: see Nov. 21 for Sam’s reply.

James Ford Rhodes wrote from 392 Beacon St., Boston, to Sam, remembering “our pleasant talk at the Academy ten days ago…” and asking if he might get a copy of a letter Sam wrote during the Hayes-Tilden campaign of 1876 favoring Hayes; the Hartford Courant had been unable to find it [MTP]. Note: Sam replied on Nov. 21.

Alice Von Versen (née Clemens) wrote from Germany to Sam, sending birthday regards [MTP]..