October 14 Thursday – At the Metropole Hotel, Vienna, Austria, Livy wrote for her husband to Eduard Pötzl. Sam was “pressed for time,” so Livy wrote to say they were sorry Eduard had a cold. She added Sam would not be able to write anything for the Vienna newspapers as he had promised so much to American publishers. She accepted his invitation for her daughters to see the Carnival under his auspices [MTP]. Note: he replied the next day.
Servants’ fees. Oct. 14. ’97. Monthly
Waiter, 3 meals a day, in our parlor: )
Coffee, 10 kr., lunch, 20, kr. ) 15 flor.
Chambermaid for 5 rooms —— 10 “
About $14.50 per month [NB 42 TS 43].
Sam inscribed one of the Alfred Ellis photographs of himself to daughter Jean: “To Jean Clemens, this starchy but justifiable & very commendable exaggeration of her Papa’s aspect is most lovingly presented by der Hochwohlgeborener Mark Twain, Vienna, Oct. 14” [Sotheby’s Apr. 13, 2004, Sale N07980 Lot 25].
Sam also wrote on a card to an unidentified person: The old proverb said “Time & tide wait for no man.” In our day, steam & the telegraph have turned that arrogant saying around the other way: Man waits not for time nor tide” [MTP]. Note: After his signature Sam wrote, “Please forgive my tardiness. S.L.C.”