December 10 Thursday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Dorothy Quick.
I am sorry, Dorothy dear, that your old bird died, but glad you’ve got a fresh one. I know it is a pretty one, for by your description of it I recognize it as a bird I am very well acquainted with. It is a chicken-hawk, & is one of the finest of the feathered singers. I used to have one. When it was not catching chickens & cats it would sit around & sing by the hour, & was a delight to everybody on the place. I hope you will get the other one, all in good time.
Irene’s bird is dead. It was a beautiful creature. She got it in Bermuda when we were there a year ago. That is one of the main troubles about pets: one gets very fond of them, then they die & break your heart.
I’m not going to Bermuda this season. I have now spent 6 summer months here, & shall stay here right along until winter comes. That will be about next July, I reckon, the way things look.
Miss Lyon sends her love, & I send lots & lots of love. / … [MTP; MTAq 241-2].
H. Crenshaw for Medical Consensus (Journal) wrote from Atlanta, Ga. to ask his opinion on “Which is the best method of composition—dictation, typewriting, or long-hand writing?” [MTP].
Cass Gilbert for American Institute of Architects sent a telegram to invite Clemens to the Annual Dinner at the New Willard, Wash. D.C. on Dec 17 [MTP].
Jennie Haas wrote from Whitewood, S.D. a long begging letter to Sam, describing the history of their financial woes [MTP].
Howells & Stokes wrote to ask Sam to send his check directly to L.S. Blackman, surveyor [MTP].
D.D. Knapp wrote from Danbury, Conn. to ask Sam if he knew of anyone who would help him get back his property, which he’d been forced to sell for about $6,000. The hand is nearly illegible [MTP].
Jervis Langdon II wrote to Sam about the Hope-Jones Organ Company being invited to move to Rochester, NY, with a model, fire-proof factory, resulting in a great savings per year. Jervis wanted to come in the next few days to discuss the matter with Sam [MTP].
Frank V. McGrath for Leary, Stuart & Co. Books, Phila. wrote thanks for Sam’s autograph [MTP].
Kurt Monch wrote from Germany to Sam, asking what was meant by some lines in TA, Ch. 3 near the middle of “Baker’s Blue Jay” yarn. “You make say the blue-jay at its examination of the hole on the log-house’s roof: I wish I may land in a museum with a belly full of sawdust in two minutes. I beg to ask you what you mean by these lines” [MTP].
New Theatre sent an engraved invitation folder to Sam for the laying of the corner-stone by the Mayor of NY on Dec. 15 at 3:30 [MTP].
L.M. Powers wrote from Haverhill, Mass. to Sam. He had “about sixty first editions” of Twain’s work but had never seen these: Men and Things; Women and Things; Primrose Way; Memoranda.Toronto 1871; Edmund Burke on Crocker and Tammany [MTP]. Note: “Ans Dec 23 MLH”; Clemens wrote on the letter in black ink making a curved line grouping the first four: “Published without my consent & promptly suppressed. / SLC”; on the Burke piece he wrote: “Don’t know where to find this one. It was a political brochure”
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.