July 29 Saturday – Robert Jones Burdette (1844-1914) wrote and enclosed a poem from “S.A. Hara,” a pseudonym, one of several, used by the crackpot Bristol Conn. grocer, Wallace Muzzy in his series of non-sensical missives to Twain.

Dear Mr. Clemens, / It would be a shame to permit this honest & earnest worshipper to burn his incense so far away from his most gracious majesty that it could not penetrate the royal nostrils. With your permission therefore, I will act as his priest and swing the censer a little nearer the regnant nose. / Ever yours / R.J. Burdette [MTP]. Note: Burdette had written an article for the Burlington, Iowa Hawkeye, in which he called Twain’s Hartford home “this palace of the king of humorists.” The article likely led Muzzy to send his poem to Burdette. Burdette and Twain met in Hartford on Dec. 10, 1880 when Sam introduced Burdette at the latter’s lecture.

R. Christie wrote to thank Clemens for his autograph. He was a fan, and corrected the idea that “Far Away Moses” was a Turk—he was “a genuine Jew.” He sent a copy of the “Amateurs’ Arena,” a paper “devoted to amateur journalism” and asked if Sam might review it [MTP].

Dean Sage wrote that he’d purchased stock for Sam and himself this day. He’d also received “a literary production of yours” [MTP]. A note in the MTP file identifies this as 1601 sent by Wood.

Charles Webster wrote from Providence with Annie & the children, though daughter Alice was very ill unable to keep even water down. The doctor said she’d get better. He’d rec’d Sam’s of the 26th and answered several questions about the business [MTP].

Worden & Co. wrote advising purchase of 200 shares of O.J. (T?) at 87 & 7/8 from Dean Sage [MTP].