August 21 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The day was a placid one. We played Hearts, and then more Hearts” [MTP: IVL TS 61].

Charles W. Birge wrote from the Fitch Home for Soldiers in Noroton Heights, Conn. to ask Sam if he’d be some help to him in securing a cheap pair of spectacles to help him read; he could get a pair for $2 in Stamford. At age 72, Birge had a shaky hand [MTP]. Note: IVL: “No ans.”

Joe Goodman wrote from Alameda, Calif. about locating old letters from Clemens.

August 20 Thursday – In Redding, Conn., Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam to Katharine B. Clemens.

“Mr. Clemens asks me to thank you for the photograph which he is very glad to have, & also for your note containing the very pleasant news that you will probably be able to spend a Sunday here.

“Mr. Clemens is better, & asks me to convey his love to you” [MTP].

Sam’s new guestbook:

Name Address Date Remarks

Jervis Langdon Elmira, N.Y. August 20 (My nephew).

August 19 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:  “Mr. Lounsbury is ill, a fistula caused by a strain in moving Santa’s piano. AB and his nice old father came up for billiards. I entertained his nice old father and gave him tea on the loggia. He called the dear little cedar trees ‘volunteers’” [MTP: IVL TS 60]. Note: Paine’s father is shown as Samuel E. Paine in the Aug. 24 original guestbook entry.

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.