August 21 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The day was a placid one. We played Hearts, and then more Hearts” [MTP: IVL TS 61].
Charles W. Birge wrote from the Fitch Home for Soldiers in Noroton Heights, Conn. to ask Sam if he’d be some help to him in securing a cheap pair of spectacles to help him read; he could get a pair for $2 in Stamford. At age 72, Birge had a shaky hand [MTP]. Note: IVL: “No ans.”
Joe Goodman wrote from Alameda, Calif. about locating old letters from Clemens.
Dear Mark— / I’ve searched alow and aloft, and in every corner and receptacle, but can find only two of your letters. I had a package of them down in Fresno, but it has been lost in one of the many moves I’ve made since then, probably. Should it ever turn up, I’ll send it to you or Clara.
Tufts begged the letter you wrote of Little Ward’s death, to go with one of yours that Ward had given him; and I also let him have the note you wrote in answer to his warning that the Bobbs Merrill Co. were having your writings copied from the files of the Enterprise, Union and Call. He has them bound in his collection of your works.
Steve Gillis has some of your letters to Jim [Gillis], but he said one of the newspapermen they formerly harbored stole most of them.
Of course, I should like the two letters returned—unless you should prefer to cancel them. They are intimately personal, and will be about the most prized legacy I can leave the children.
I saw the description of the Innocents at Home [Stormfield] in Harper’s Weekly. It must be a charming place apart from hits seclusion, which you seem to regard as its best quality. I should dearly like to see it, and to hold communion with you once more; but neither is likely to be. I don’t expect to ever come East again; I can see nothing between now and the finish but a hard grind.
I rejoiced at Clara’s success as a singer, for I remember how ambitious she was when a child to get out in the world and do things. Please ask Jean to kindly carry my congratulations to her.
With benedictions on your new home, and a prayer that you may live long to enjoy it, / Yours ever. J.T. Goodman [MTP].
August 21 Friday ca.
H.J. Learoyd, managing editor for the NY Evening Post wrote to Sam. “We are anxious to get expressions of sentiment on the subject of the advisability of renominating Governor Hughes.” He asked for “a few lines” [MTP]. Note: Clemens answered on aug 25.