December 4 Friday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Elizabeth Jordan.
Dear Miss Jordan:
Indeed & ’deed & ’deed I do hate to say no, but it wouldn’t begin to do for me to print anything on that (to me) utterly unimportant subject. I should only make fun of it, & the Harpers would flog me for destroying my commercial value.
With very kindest regards & best wishes for Xmas & afterward, / Sincerely Yours / … [MTP]. Note: Jordan was an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, and often solicited remarks from Twain on one topic or another.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Home again with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Collier and Benar, in a special car” [MTP: IVL TS 82].
Nancy E. Beebe wrote a picture postcard from Brooklyn, of best wishes with two naked children facing the sea and the caption “Innocence Abroad” [MTP]. Note “Ans Dec 7 MLH”
John D. Davis wrote from London to Sam, confused as to the authorship of JA [MTP]. Note: IVL: “I wrote the book myself building upon the 11 histories quoted by me at the beginning of the book. Whenever I deal with Joan’s acts & speeches that is history. The rest is romance. I introduce several characaters of my own inventory. La Conte is not one of them.”
Alfred F. Howe wrote to Sam from Derby, Conn. “As the inclosed concerns some of your Hartford friends, I am sending it to you with the thought that it may be of interest…yours…” [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 7 MLH”; no enclosure in the file.
Anna Jarvis wrote from Phila. to thank Sam for his “approval of Mother’s Day last year” and asking if he would “do or say something for observance next May –2d Sunday.”A tract in the file “Crown Her!” about mothers [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 10 MLH”
Lillian T. Schmidt for the Professional Women’s League NYC wrote to thank him for his “valuable autograph sent for the bazaar” [MTP].
Sherman, French & Co., Publishers, Boston wrote to Sam, sending a copy of Idylls of Greece (1908) by Howard Vigne Sutherland: “At the suggestion of the author, we are sending you a complimentary copy” [MTP; Gribben 678].
Frederick A. Stokes wrote to ask Sam for autographed photo [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 11 MLH”