August 18 Tuesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote an aphorism to Margery H. Clinton.
It is a poor old maxim, & nothing in it: anybody can do it, you don’t have to employ a dog.
“Let a sleeping dog lie.”
Truly yours / Mark Twain
To Miss Margery Clinton
(August 18, 1908, at Redding, Conn. ) [MTP].
August 17 Monday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Mary B. Rogers (Mrs. H.H. Rogers, Jr.).
August 16 Sunday – Sam wrote a tribute to his late nephew, “Samuel Erasmus Moffett” and quoted from an obituary in Collier’s Weekly [Gribben 154]. Note: Moffett died on Aug. 1, 1908.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Stanchfields left, creeping down the long hill through the field” [MTP: IVL TS 59].
Clemens A.D. for this day is listed by MTP.
August 15 Saturday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Dorothy Sturgis.
Dear Dorothy:
Good! You will be very welcome.
August 14 Friday – Sam’s guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
John B. Stanchfield ) )
Mrs. Stanchfield ) New York City )“ [August] 14-15 [Clara Spaulding Stanchfield]
Alice their daughter ) )
Note: none of the above names were in the original guestbook.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The Stanchfields arrived by motor hours late. / Ashcroft started for Canada” [MTP: IVL TS 59].
August 13 Thursday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Helen S. Allen in Bermuda.
To Helen Allen, M. A. (Member of the Aquarium).
August 12 Wednesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Susan L. Crane.
August 11 Tuesday – In Redding, Conn., Isabel V. Lyon wrote for Sam to an unidentified person.
“Mr.Tallman should keep in touch with Mr Robert Collier in order that he may keep what Mr. Collier & Mr Clemens have done in the Accident Insurance matter from going astray.
August 10 Monday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to George B. Harvey.
To-day I have written as follows
To Clara Clemens in Europe:
1. “By the original understanding with Paine I was to edit the Biography, with power to approve & disapprove with finality. But I have turned that editing over to Col. Harvey, & he has accepted the job.
August 9 Sunday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to daughter Jean in Gloucester, Mass.
Jean dear, don’t trouble about those financial matters; there will be no occasion for that; the expenses were fair & reasonable, & in any case Miss Lyon will take care of my interests. I knew all about the arrangement when it was made, & not only approved it but helped to make it.