December 19 Wednesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Dec. 13 from Miss Cally Thomas Ryland. “I am thankful to say that such letters as yours do come—as you have divined—with a happy frequency. They refresh my life, they give it value; like yours, they are always welcome, and I am always grateful for  them. / Sincerely Yours …” [MTP]. Note: Ryland used a common device for humorist—she created a fictional “alter ego” who could get away with speaking blunt and outlandish truths, much like Twain’s “Mr. Brown.” She was the society editor for the Richmond News Leader. Her first novel appeared in 1904, The Taming of Betty, which later became a silent film.

Sam also wrote to “Champ” Clark (James Beauchamp Clark) (1850-1921), prominent Democrat from the 1890s on; Speaker of the House (1911-1919). “I thank you ever so much for letting me see those cordial & welcome words. Approval is what we live by; without it life is not valuable. And so, I thank you again” [MTP].

Clemens’ A.D. of this day included: Clemens gives his reasons for insisting upon an extension of the Copyright bill—arranged in the form of an interview with a member of  Congress [MTP Autodict3].

Henry Darracott Allison wrote from Dublin, N.H. to Sam, wondering with the “approach of January 1 ” would Sam take the Upton house for the following summer? [MTP].

Georgie Fyfe wrote from Mauritius to Sam, recalling the many happy times she’d spent with the Clemenses in Vienna. She felt his spirit haunting there. She was there recovering from an appendectomy. She still often saw the Stuarts, and “little Daisy has made a great success of her training with Lechetitsky” [sic] [MTP].