January 15 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:
Today when I asked Mr. Clemens why mens’ voices singing in the street at night sound so heartbreakingly sad? Or away out in the country, when you are wakened by the sound of a man singing a common place song in a common place voice, why does that make you aware of all the misery of the world? Mr. Clemens replied, “The man is probably dead drunk, but that doesn’t lessen your heartache.”
The reading of the dictated manuscript is forever postponed. Mr. Twichell came this P.M. and it is delightful to have him here. After dinner he and Mr. Clemens went over to call on General Sickles, who is 84 years old. This visit is a duty which Mr. Twichell never neglects [MTP TS 12].
Clemens’ A.D. for this day continued the discussion on the old Monday Evening Club talk about dreams, giving examples of his more vivid dreams; also more comment on the Morris case [AMT 1: 276-282].
Ralph W. Ashcroft wrote two pages to Sam about the American Mechanical Cashier Co, and the Pope Co. taking over its assets [MTP].
Stuart Donlevy Duncan wrote from Frankfurt on the Main, Germany to Sam. “Even in my most sanguine moments I hardly dared to hope for an answer from you & I really do not know how to thank you for your kindness. Your letter has made me very happy indeed” [MTP].
Grace Kiddes Ford wrote from NYC to invite Sam to dine with them informally Jan. 18 in the evening [MTP]. Note: Sam replied on Jan. 16.
Winifred Holt for the N.Y. Assoc. for the Blind wrote to invite Sam to a meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to promote the interests of the blind, Mar. 29 at 8:30 p.m. She also hoped he could come to her home on the evening of Mar. 27 with his daughter to meet Helen Keller [MTP]. Note: see Sam’s reply in Jan. 15 after entry.
George O’Connor wrote from Hartford, Conn. to Isabel Lyon about shipping Jean’s horse “Scott” to Katonah, NY [MTP].
January 15 after – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Lyon replied for Sam to Winifred Holt’s Jan. 15: On a slip in the file with the note is one by Lyon: Shall hope Mr. C. & Miss C can assemble there on Mar. 27. Shall be very glad indeed to have menu of things he is to touch upon that night. Also shall be glad to have some seats reserved for him for the night of the 29 . Should like 5 2 seats reserved. Bill sent now. Take it for granted that no seats are to given away. Every seat worth 3–price easily acquired. Because there are so many hundreds of people willing to pay that price to have glimpse of Helen Keller. Ladies peddle seats house will all be sold out long before Mar 29 [MTP].