November 25 Wednesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Margery Hamilton Clinton, 39 E. 57th, N.Y.C.
Dear Plumber:
Oh no, bless your heart, you are not in any danger of losing your job. All you have to do is to be sweet, & look sweet, & sit around & let on to plumb, same as the others do. These are the only requirements in your case, & they will always come easy to you. Your job is quite secure.
November 24 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: Will arrived early and Santa. / Prof. Sanford came today to see about having the library moved to Redding Centre. The Hawaiian mantel came today, but the beautiful Koa wood has been polished until it is terribly yellow, and it won’t go anywhere. Steve Barr and Mr. Adams lugged it around from billiard to dining room— but the polish of it was fearful. The King declared it too offensive, but suggested that all the wonderful shine be scraped off—so the men carried it to the garage to reduce its coloring [MTP: IVL TS 80-81].
November 23 Monday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to William Dean Howells, addressing the letter:
“Mr. W. D. Howells |at the Burlington just aft the Holland House, 30th st., on the port tack as you pull out of 5th avenue reaching for 6th, on a taut bowline. New York City |N. Y.”
Dear Howells:
There’ll be a vacant bed Friday Nov 26th—do come up & occupy it & stay a few days. The early train (for Redding) leaves the Grand Central at 8.50 a.m.
November 22 Sunday – In Redding, Conn., Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam to Helen Keller.
Dear Miss Keller:
November 21 Saturday – In Redding, Conn. Sam inscribed a copy of Eve’s Diary to Mary Elizabeth Milner Harmsworth (Mrs. Alfred Harmsworth); Baroness Northcliffe; 1868- 1963): “To Lady Northcliffe with the compliments of the Author. / Adam at Eve’s Grave: / ‘Wheresoever she was, There was Eden’ (page 109)./ Nov 21/08” [MTP].
Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Commodore D. Dow, R.N.R. R.M.S. “Caronia” Nov. 21-24
November 20 Friday – Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Lord Northcliffe ) London ) Nov. 20-21
Col. George Harvey ) New York
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Very bad headache. / Lord Northcliffe and Col. Harvey came up for the night” [MTP: IVL TS 80].
November 19 Thursday – Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
Judge Wm Scoville Case ) Danbury Nov. 19 Judge & state’s attorney
Stiles Judson ) who tried the burglars
Note: in the original guestbook one additional name is listed, Bettye D.G. Doubleday, Mill Neck, L.I.
November 18 Wednesday – Sam’s new guestbook (and Lyon’s journal TS 80):
Name Address Date Remarks
Frank Nelson Doubleday )
Neltje D.G. Doubleday ) 11 East 16th st. New York Nov. 18-19 -> The perfect pair [D.G. = De Graff]
Note: Neltje de Graff Doubleday (Mrs. Frank N. Doubleday) (1865-1918)
November 17 Tuesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Benares came back” [MTP: IVL TS 79].
Frank Bohrer, “a poor boy afflicted with locomotor ataxia which caused blindness” wrote from Sherrill, NY to ask Sam for a signed picture postcard [MTP]. Note: “Autogr. Sent Dec 7. 08. MLH”
Elva Fernald wrote from Topeka, Kans. to Sam, about to give a talk on Mark Twain, and thinking “a few words directly from” his pen “would add greatly to the enjoyment…” [MTP]. Note: IVL: “Unable to grant request”
August 7 Monday – In St. Louis, Sam boarded with the Paveys, formerly of Hannibal. Sam’s roommate was Jacob H. Burrough (1827-1883) “a journeyman chairmaker with a taste for Dickens, Thackeray, Scott, and Disraeli” [MTB 103]. (See also MTNJ 1: 37n45, & Nov. 1, 1876 letter to Jacob H. Burrough.)
In a Dec. 15, 1900 letter to Jacob’s son, Frank E. Burrough (1865-1903), Sam recalled the boarding house: