April 14 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Margaret Blackmer.
Dear Margaret, we arrived from Bermuda yesterday afternoon, & in the accumulation of letters I find yours of a fortnight ago. I’ve brought the little angel-fish pin—badge of my Aquarium— & will keep it for you till you come, which I hope will be as soon as Miss Tewksbury can escort you. Come VERY soon!
We had 7 very lovely weeks in the island, & the lovable Miss Wallace was with us until recently. We made only one excursion to Spanish Point. Irene—one of my angel-fishes—drove me, & the others walked, & shoved Maude up the acclivities. You would hardly recognise Maude now. She has been closely clipped, & her pelt is shiny & smoothe, & looks like velvet.
Think—there isn’t a solitary angel-fish in the house, Margaret. Francesca was to come to-day, but can’t, because she has to go home to Georgia & get ready for Europe. Another was to have come yesterday to dine & stay all night, but she was called out of town. We telephoned Dorothy of New Jersey last night, but her mother cannot bring her until next Monday. Imagine this desolation—a house with not an angel-fish in it! Hurry up, dear!
I am inconsolable. Three days before we left Bermuda my shell was stolen from my watch- chain. It grieves me deeply; but Mr. Ashcroft will hunt for another one—so that I can identify you when I see you, dear. /With lots & lots of love / SLC / Chief Servant slave of the Aquarium [MTP]. Note: See Jan. 26 account of the seashell halves, by which Clemens and Blackmer could “identify” the other.
Margaret Blackmer wrote to Sam.
Dear Mr. Clemens:— / My Easter vacation begins Thursday. I am going away with papa for a little while. But if you will write and tell me when you will be home I will come and see you. I will be away with papa for about a week but after I come back I will come. I love my shell so much. / With lots of love / Your loving friend / Margaret [MTP; MTAq 134]. Note: Sam wrote on the letter “Have asked her to go with us to the Children’s Theatre April 23.”
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Mrs. Guinness, Jean, Edith Cowles. Blue facings. / Lunch with Mrs. Day [MTP: IVL TS 46].
Nancy Langhorne Astor wrote a postcard from Taplow, England to Sam. “Dear Cousin — / When shall we expect you? Let me know & I will promise you rest & absolute freedom from the reporters—& the most lovely garden in England to take your sun baths in—I will also collect little children from miles around to amuse you!” [MTP]. Note: the card is not addressed or stamped, so likely enclosed in another letter not extant. Sam was not related to any Langhorne, as the name was given in honor of a friend, not a relative.
Robert Erskine Ely for New York City History Club wrote, enclosing a program of performances on Apr. 23 and Apr. 28, given by the Children’s Educational Theatre for the Club. Clemens was invited to attend and possibly to say a few words [MTP].
Dorothy Sturgis wrote to Sam.
My dear Mr. Clemens / I was so very, very sorry that we caught that horrid 5 o’clock train, andI wasn’t able to dine with you!
I suppose you saw what they said in the newspapers about our being caught by that wave. The account in the Boston Herald was really very funny, and of course mostly incorrect!
We had a very comfortable trip out here, and arrived safely at our house shortly after ten.
I hope you got home safely, and that Mr. Ashcroft met you alright.
Please give my love to Miss Lyon, and tell her not to forget to send me those photographs she took of us on the steamer, and by the way do you want the pictures I took of you, if so I will send them to you as soon as they are printed [MTAq 135].