January 3 Sunday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Margaret Blackmer at the Misses Tewksbury’s School, Washington-on-Hudson, N.Y.
I wonder where you are, you dear little rascal. Yesterday your welcome message by wireless came, & I took it to mean that you had instructed the Bermudian to send it from sea, but had remained in Bermuda yourself; so I cabled New Year greetings to you at once; but last night the cable-office telegraphed us from Bermuda that you had sailed. That was a surprise! for we thought you were going to make a long stay in the Islands. Well, I am glad to have you back, on any terms. I hope you & the rest of the family whom you control have had a pleasant time & have been advantaged by your outing.
I’ve got the colored photograph of you & me, & it is perfect. All the colors are exactly reproduced. Yes, & the pose is easy & natural & unconscious—not a detail of it could be bettered, I think.
Miss Lyon & I are going to arrive at Robert Collier’s, (752 Park avenue) at noon the 20th, of this month & remain there the 21 & 22d & perhaps till the 3.32 the afternoon of the 23d. Be sure you come there & see us if you come to town. And you must telephone beforehand, dear heart. It would be lovely to have a glimpse of you.
Major General Sir Ralph Ashcroft, Lord Bishop of Benares, has gone to England on business for me, & we do miss him so!
Billie Burke has been here to spend a week-end, & she was charming. You must do the same every time there’s a chance; & your mother too. Will you greet her affectionately for me, & thank her for her letter?
Gabrilowitsch is here, & Miss Ethel Newcomb—professional pianists; also my daughter, professional singer. Music? Bless your heart it’s going all the time, night & day!
Isn’t this bed of mine pretty large? Sometimes it is, but now it isn’t; it’s full of cats, & they are all over on my side. I must get a shovel & clear them out.
Good-bye, dear. Make my best compliments to Madame & the Misses Tewksbury. / Lovingly / … [MTP].
Sadie G. Brennan wrote a sentence from Danbury, Conn. to thank Sam for the “lovely box of candy” [MTP]. Note: Sadie was one of several telephone operators receiving candy from Clemens for his regard of service.
Billie Burke wrote to thank Sam for “the great happiness” it gave her to see him “last Sunday”—to her he would always be “like some wonderful beautiful king” [MTP]. Note: MT wrote at the end of the 3-page letter: “This is Billie Burke, who possesses all the charms that the most fortunate of her sex can claim: youth, beauty, sincerity, simplicity, refinement, a good heart and irreproachable character.” Burke visited Stormfield on Dec. 27, 1908.
A.J. Hollister for the Children’s Home, Kansas City, Kans. wrote to Sam, enclosing his card and a clipping (not in file), since he knew Clemens enjoyed “a good joke.” His stated “object” was to “work” Clemens for his autograph [MTP].
Frank D [illegible surname], Chairman of the Art Committee for The Republican Club of NY wrote to ask Sam if he would autograph a picture of the Quaker City they’d just obtained to frame for their walls [MTP]. Note: the Club sent the picture and Clemens signed and returned it, then inquired as to where they’d obtained it.
E. Channing Stowell wrote from Jamaica Plain, Mass. to “induce” Sam to come to a dinner by the Medical Staff of the Boston Dispensary, the oldest medical charity in Boston. Stowell recalled Sam’s remarks in Dublin, N.H. [MTP]. Note: “Ans. Jan 5 M.L.H.”