April 23 Monday – The New York Times, p.12, “Billiard Benefit Plans” announced a billiard benefit for San Francisco at the concert hall of Madison Square Garden on the following evening. Mark Twain had been asked to make “a brief address.”
The Old Guard was to parade with a following banquet at the Hotel Astor. Rain cut the parade short but the banquet went off as planned, with Mark Twain making a characteristic late arrival. The New York Times, Apr. 24, p. 7, reported:
OLD GUARD CELEBRATE THEIR 80TH BIRTHDAY
———
Rain Stops Parade, but Banquet Joy Makes Up for It.
It was the Old Guard’s eightieth anniversary yesterday [Apr. 23], and a popular military organization celebrated the birthday in its characteristic way. The rain spoiled the parade, an untoward incident, since from the side of every Guard there dangled a brand new sabre, and not many people had a chance to see them.
The banquet at the Hotel Astor in the evening, however, was made all the more glorious.
The fulldress uniforms of the Old Guard are concededly the finest hereabouts. They were set off to advantage in the banquet hall, which was decorated with flags and bunting selected to harmonize with their coats of white and gold. A feature of the banquet was the entrance of Mark Twain at the close of the celebration. The banqueters had cheered President Roosevelt and cheered Grant, but they cheered the veteran humorist still more.
…. ….
During the speechmaking a concealed anonymous poet shouted bits at the guests through a megaphone which he aimed at all of the diners. Mark Twain’s flowing locks came in for a long tirade of poetry, which amused the humorist immensely.
Mark Twain thanked the Old Guard for the fine reception they had given him, and then he told a story. He got a bouquet of roses for telling it. [Also noted in Fatout, p. 675].
Alf Hayman manager for Charles Frohman’s Empire Theatre, wrote to Sam. “Mr. Frohman requests me to write and say to you that Miss Lawton was called to ‘The Duel’ rehearsal by his cable request, and the question of her playing the part rests with Mr. [Otis] Skinner, who by the way seems very much pleased with the work of Miss Lawton up to date” [MTP]. Note: Charles Frohman (1860-1915), brother of Daniel Frohman. Both men were involved in various NY theaters, including the Lyceum. See May 7 entry to Skinner.
G.C. Hewett, mining engineer in Colorado Springs, Colo. wrote to Sam, enclosing a picture of “the house you are said to have lived in in Arroya, Nevada.” Since he loved RI, he wished to know if it was written in that house [MTP].
Carolyn Wells wrote a short note from Rahway, NJ to Sam. “Thank you 1000 times for your humorous contribution to my book. It was most kind of you to write it for me” [MTP].
The Old Guard was to parade with a following banquet at the Hotel Astor. Rain cut the parade short but the banquet went off as planned, with Mark Twain making a characteristic late arrival. The New York Times, Apr. 24, p. 7, reported:
OLD GUARD CELEBRATE THEIR 80TH BIRTHDAY
———
Rain Stops Parade, but Banquet Joy Makes Up for It.
It was the Old Guard’s eightieth anniversary yesterday [Apr. 23], and a popular military organization celebrated the birthday in its characteristic way. The rain spoiled the parade, an untoward incident, since from the side of every Guard there dangled a brand new sabre, and not many people had a chance to see them.
The banquet at the Hotel Astor in the evening, however, was made all the more glorious.
The fulldress uniforms of the Old Guard are concededly the finest hereabouts. They were set off to advantage in the banquet hall, which was decorated with flags and bunting selected to harmonize with their coats of white and gold. A feature of the banquet was the entrance of Mark Twain at the close of the celebration. The banqueters had cheered President Roosevelt and cheered Grant, but they cheered the veteran humorist still more.
…. ….
During the speechmaking a concealed anonymous poet shouted bits at the guests through a megaphone which he aimed at all of the diners. Mark Twain’s flowing locks came in for a long tirade of poetry, which amused the humorist immensely.
Mark Twain thanked the Old Guard for the fine reception they had given him, and then he told a story. He got a bouquet of roses for telling it. [Also noted in Fatout, p. 675].
Alf Hayman manager for Charles Frohman’s Empire Theatre, wrote to Sam. “Mr. Frohman requests me to write and say to you that Miss Lawton was called to ‘The Duel’ rehearsal by his cable request, and the question of her playing the part rests with Mr. [Otis] Skinner, who by the way seems very much pleased with the work of Miss Lawton up to date” [MTP]. Note: Charles Frohman (1860-1915), brother of Daniel Frohman. Both men were involved in various NY theaters, including the Lyceum. See May 7 entry to Skinner.
G.C. Hewett, mining engineer in Colorado Springs, Colo. wrote to Sam, enclosing a picture of “the house you are said to have lived in in Arroya, Nevada.” Since he loved RI, he wished to know if it was written in that house [MTP].
Carolyn Wells wrote a short note from Rahway, NJ to Sam. “Thank you 1000 times for your humorous contribution to my book. It was most kind of you to write it for me” [MTP].
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