December 17, 1905 Sunday

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December 17 Sunday – Sam wrote a longish inscription in JA to Sarah Bernhardt: 

 Ah, Madame the illustrious, I made a mistake yesterday; When you spoke of the “play,” I thought you meant the book—I have no play, I was never able to write a play. But this is the book; & it has one large merit: it puts no words into Jeanne’s mouth which she did not say.

With the homage of Yours very truly the Author, To Madame Sarah Bernhardt. Dec. 17/05 [MTP: Anderson Galleries catalog, Dec. 17, 1934, Item 61].

December 16, 1905 Saturday

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December 16 Saturday – Sam conferred sometime this day with actress Sarah Bernhardt, who was scheduled to appear at the Casino Theatre on Dec. 18 in a benefit for Jewish victims in Russia (see Dec. 14 insert advertisement) [Dec. 17 inscription in JA]. Sam showed initial interest in offering a few words for the event in his Dec. 13 response to the Shuberts. His meeting with Bernhardt likely involved his attendance and address for the following afternoon’s benefit. It was a cause that found Clemens’ sympathies.

December 15, 1905 Friday

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December 15 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote a short note to Robert Bacon. “Dear Mr. Bacon: / I am expecting to send you the full report (in French) & an elaborate digest of it (English). By mail or by the hand of a delegation of our Association” [MTP].

Sam also sent a Dec. 6 form letter for the occasion of his 70 birthday to John D. Rhodes, US Court of Claims, Washington, D.C. Sam added: “Alas, they have shut Huck & Tom out from the youth’s department of the Brooklyn Blind Asylum library!” [MTP]. Note: postmarked this

December 14, 1905 Thursday

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December 14 Thursday – Sam sent another Dec. 6 form letter for the occasion of Sam’s 70   to Thomas Bailey Aldrich and Lilian W. Aldrich, now at their summer home, “Redfarm,” in Ponkapog, Mass. Sam added: “Apparently I am never going to get a chance to add a line, so I will just give it up till a later day &—God Almighty bless you both! / SLC / Dec. 14.” [MTP]. 

In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon finished her Dec. 11 to Raffaello Stiattesi. 

December 12, 1905 Tuesday

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December 12 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to Louis Windmüeller, treasurer Legal Aid Society.

I have known about The Legal Aid Society for some years, but it conducts its affairs so quietly and so unostentatiously that I did not know, until the other day, how extensive is the work it is doing. It stirs one’s blood and compels one’s deep homage to read the great figures! If New York could read them, do you think it could ever be said again that “the contributions fail to cover the ever-growing expenses”? I think not—I am sure not.

December 11, 1905 Monday

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December 11 Monday – At 21 Fifth Ave., N.Y. Sam wrote to Marjorie V.d.W. Brooke. “I am quite sure, Miss Brooke, that if I had seen that photograph in a shop window I should have supposed it was a picture of myself, so marked is the resemblance” [MTP: eBay item #30366463].

Sam sent another Dec. 6 form letter for the occasion of his 70th to Will Larrymore Smedley. Sam added no comment [MTP].

In N.Y.C. Isabel Lyon wrote for Sam to Dihdwo Twe.

December 10, 1905 Sunday

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December 10 Sunday – Another Dec. 6 form letter for the occasion of Sam’s 70th to Howard Pyle. Sam added this comment: “It is a most dear & sweet little Eve, & looks just as she did in those first days, when there wasn’t any night because that radiant creature still remained smiling around after the sun went down” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal:

December 9, 1905 Saturday

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December 9 Saturday – More Dec. 6 form letters for the occasion of Sam’s 70th to the following:

Kate Douglas Wiggin: “I didn’t know until last night (Dec. 8) that you had sent me a book & a letter, dear Mrs. Riggs. I am enjoying them this afternoon, in place of working, (for I am tired again,—always tired since I struck 70). I do so thank you for your hearty words” [MTP]

December 8, 1905 Friday

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December 8 Friday – Louise A. Howland (Robert Howland’s widow) wrote from Sausalito, Calif. to Sam, congratulating him on his 70 , asking for an “up to date photograph” and recalling the old says when she “knew and claimed Mark Twain—as one of her best friends” [MTP]. Note: estimated here one week, or ca. Dec. 15 for Sam’s reply.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Today Mr. Clemens took me down to the Produce Exchange Safety Vaults and made me his deputy there” [MTP TS 112].

Benjamin Arthur wrote to congratulate Sam [MTP].

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