August 18 Thursday – In Great Neck, N.Y. Sam wrote to his niece, Julia Langdon Loomis (Mrs.Edward Eugene Loomis).

Julie dear, I was not able to leave town Monday afternoon in compliance with my engagement —I was worn out & broken down, so I gave up & went to bed at 8 in the evening. Next morning I reached your house by 9 or half-past, but you were gone: you, & Edward & all the dear Idas. I should have been very very glad of a glimpse.

This is a country place of Mr. Broughton, Mr. Rogers’s son-in-law. I worked so hard on matters of urgent business that I came down here day before yesterday to rest, but had to go back to the city yesterday to complete & secure a 3-year lease of No. 21 Fifth avenue. I meant to go up again to-day—on those other matters—but gave it up & am putting in the day in bed. I hope to get rested this time; if I don’t, I shall stay a day or two longer.

I learned from Clara yesterday that Jean is on crutches & doing very well. Clara herself does not progress to suit me. Last year I was not with your aunt Livy on this day; this time we three that are left are apart. It is better so, I think. It is a heavier day than ever, now, & each can bear it best alone.

Goodbye, with dear love to all of you [MTP]. Note: Sam referred to the anniversary of Susy’s death.

Sam also wrote to H.H. Rogers.

I have been house-hunting & house-negotiating for 9 days; & for the last 3 days I have been almost too tired to sleep. But Mr. Broughton brought me down to this quiet & beautiful place & I have put in a couple of nights in sleep of a most solid kind. To-day I am taking the whole day for a holiday. It is noon, & I am not dressed yet. But I finished the house-business yesterday, & signed the lease—3 years. It is the quietest place I could find; & Clara is going to need the quietest kind of rest for many months to come, I think. She is not perceptibly better or stronger than she was when we arrived at this side. Katy says she is thinner than her mother was.

Jean & her horse were knocked 50 feet by a trolley-car lately. The horse was killed, but Jean escaped with a torn tendon, & with 4 wounds on her back & neck, one at the base of her skull,& 5 on her forehead, eyes, nose, & mouth. She is getting along much better than Clara,however, & is beginning to get out on crutches, now.

I send my love, & I hope you & Mrs. Rogers are having pleasant times & will come back to the consecration ceremonies well rested & refreshed. To-day it is 12 weeks since I lost the life of my life, it is 8 years to-day since we lost Susy [MTHHR 579-80].

Howard W. Coggeshall of the Berkshire Gleaner wrote from Pittsfield, Mass. to Sam. “Mr.Gessford informs me he is going to send you some copies of the photographs in question, and I hope you will accept them. His views on the subject seem to have changed, and he is anxious for you to have the pictures.” Did he receive the copies of Berkshire Topics? [MTP].

Roi Cooper Megrue for Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Sam. “I have been hoping to hear from you in regard to that letter which I wrote you recently asking for permission for a French author to dramatize ‘How I Became Editor of a Agricultural Paper.’ Will you please let me know about this?” [MTP].

Wellington Smith wrote from Lee, Mass. to Sam. “Referring to our conversation, when I had the pleasure of meeting you at the R.R. Station here last week Tuesday, relative to giving you a drive about Lenox, some afternoon, I would like very much to show you that part of Berkshire,& you can rest assured there will be no social functions connected therewith.” He suggested Monday afternoon or Tuesday [MTP]. Sam wrote to Lyon on the env. “Tell him Thank him but I have little heart for these things.”

The New York Times, p.7 noted Sam’s new lease:

“MARK TWAIN” LEASES HOUSE. ———

Gets Lower Fifth Avenue Residence for a Term of Years.

Samuel L. Clemens, “Mark Twain,” has taken a lease of the four-story brick and stone dwelling 21 Fifth Avenue, at the southeast corner of Ninth Street. Mr. Clemens evidently intends to make his residence in this city for some time, as he has secured the house for a term of years. He will occupy it early in the Fall. Negotiations with the owner of the property, James A. Renwick, were conducted by Douglas Robinson, Charles S. Brown & Co.