December 7 Saturday – Eustace D. Conway, son of Moncure Conway, who had died in Paris on Nov. 15, sent Sam an invitation to the funeral service on Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m.[MTP]. Note: Lyon wrote on the letter, “I’ll go to it”
Charles J. Langdon wrote from Elmira, N.Y. to Sam, enclosing a draft for $25 for a coupon of Atlanta Gas Light Co. He had rec’d no acknowledgement of his Nov. 6 draft for $137.50 [MTP].
December 6 Friday – Thomas Commerford Martin for the Engineer’s Club wrote to Miss Lyon that he was sending his son and carriage for Clemens on Monday (Dec. 9) for the Carnegie’s 70th banquet, and according to sam’s wishes Martin would introduced him third on the program [MTP].
Joe Twichell wrote to Sam.
Dear Mark; / I am just setting out with Charley Clark for Buffalo, where we are to be on duty at a Yale Alumni Dinner tomorrow night.
December 5 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Billie Burke, actress.
It was lovely of you, dear Billie, to say those approving & affectionate things to me out of the good heart & the sweet spirit which are special graces of your nature & they are very welcome.
It is healing & refreshment to the sui-sodden crime-worn soul to see you & John Drew in that bewitching play,—I am coming again to gloat & admire.
December 4 Wednesday – William B. McGann, who was President of the American Plasmon Co. to Apr. 30, 1906, wrote a salary claim to Sam, now acting President and Vice-President. The letter is not extant but is referred to in a New York Times article of Dec. 21, 1907, p. 6, (below). Shortly after Dec. 4, Sam replied to McGann, his letter reprinted in the Dec. 21 article:
MARK TWAIN CONCERN GIVES UP THE GHOST
Plasmon Company of America Unable to Meet Obligations and Receiver is Named.
December 3 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to W.H. Powell, editor of the Hannibal Courier-Post.
December 2 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to daughter Jean.
Dear Jean I will attend to the matter regarding translations, even if the pay be very small in money it will be large in entertainment for you & well worth the labor it will cost you.
December 1 Sunday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam replied to the Nov. 30 from Miss Florence Benson.
Dear Florence:
Thank you for your nice note.—
(Private.) I have always concealed it before, but now I am compelled to confess that I am Tom Sawyer!
[MTP]. See Florence’s Nov. 30 letter.
Sam also wrote to daughter Jean.
December – Sometime during the month Sam attended a private dinner hosted by Daniel Frohman. At that dinner he met Elinor Sutherlin Glyn (Mrs. Clayton Glyn) (1864-1943), British novelist and scriptwriter, the sister of Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon. She led the way in erotic fiction for women, marketed to the masses, and had arrived that fall after the release of her first successful novel, Three Weeks (1907) which had been a hit in England.
November 30 Saturday – Sam’s 72nd Birthday. The New York Times, Dec. 1, p. 1, “Mark Twain 72” reported “Hundreds of congratulatory letters and telegrams were received during the day from points all over the world. Many friends called a the house to congratulate him.”
In N.Y.C. Sam inscribed an aphorism in a copy of Eve’s Diary to an unidentified person: “With the love of the Author. November 30, 1907. Clothes make the man, but they do not improve the Woman, Truly yours, Mark Twain.” [MTP].
November 29 Friday – Sam finished his Nov. 21 to Mary B. Rogers.
Mariechen, I didn’t say sins, I said it covered a multitude of charms. And it is perfectly true. I wish you wouldn’t be always misquoting me & discouraging all my attempts to learn how to be veracious. For I do so want to learn how, dear.
I don’t know where you are but I am guessing that you are in Tuxedo. You were very delightful yesterday./ Affectionately / Your Uncle Mark [MTP].