August 29 Tuesday – Sam left Boston on an early train to Dublin, N.H., about a three-hour trip.
Isabel Lyon’s journal: Mr. Clemens arrived today, from Norfolk, quite white and showing the traces of his suffering. After his lunch he went wearily, wearily to his bed, and he slept. He is so good. This evening a telegram [not extant] came from Mr. Tayler of the Boston Globe officially announcing “Peace” and asking for a word from Mr. Clemens. He sat up in bed and wrote the word, such a strong word—and at 10 o’clock I telephoned it to Boston [see below] …
August 28 Monday – At Boston, Mass. Sam wrote to daughter Clara still recovering in Norfolk, Conn.
I arrived unfatigued, and with my lameness almost gone. I have had my hair cut, have sent a telegram to Jean; shall take a bath, now, and be in bed in a few minutes or more. In spite of the gout I had a most delightful visit with you—entirely delightful. You look extravagantly pretty and sweet to-day—you were the decoration of that lunch table.
With lots of love, … [MTP]. Note: telegram not extant.
Isabel Lyon’s Journal:
August 26 Saturday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:
A letter from Charlotte Porter. Yesterday Col. Higginson asked me what news of the Dublin article and when I told him how I had heard from Miss Norma K. Bright who hopes I’ll write the article, I had to tell him that I feel my limitations so keenly and he said “Overcome them, your opportunity is here.” He is strong and the truth is in him. His book “Contemporaries” is delightful. Oh, such English, and appreciation of it in others [MTP TS 91]. Note: Norma Kathryn Bright (b. 1883), writer and poet for Book News.
August 25 Friday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:
Dear Col. Higginson walked up this afternoon and had a cup of tea with me. He really came to inquire about Jean’s accident. So that is how I’ve learned about it. He talked of Mr. Clemens of course, and said that the description of the feud in Huckleberry Finn is one of the finest things in literature. He always feels that he has known those people. …I sat in my own room over my tea when I saw him coming slowly up the road. I was reading his essay on Bronson Alcott, as he came into view. … [MTP TS 90].
August 24 Thursday – Richard McCloud, attorney in Durango, Colo. wrote to Sam about a pamphlet never published which was to have contained a letter by Sam published in the Mar. 18, 1876 Hartford Courant and later in one of Sam’s books—could he say where he might find it? [MTP]. Note: written by ? in pencil at the top “Vol. 20 of Hillcrest Edition p.438”
August 23 Wednesday – Isabel Lyon’s journal:
August 22 Tuesday – Sam left Boston and returned to Dublin, N.H. [Aug. 21 to Rogers].
Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The children had a frantic game of ‘Wooly, Wooly Wolf,’ and stayed for dinner” [MTP TS 89]. Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Today Dr. Henderson & Mr. Stewart [Stuart] Montgomery rode over from Chesham to call on Mr. Clemens” [MTP TS 26]. Note: Ernest Flagg Henderson (1860-1928), historian.
August 21 Monday – In Norfolk, Conn. Sam added a PS to his Aug. 20 to Isabel V. Lyon. They must have mailed it back and forth between Norfolk and Dublin:
August 20 Sunday – In Norfolk, Conn. Sam began a letter to Isabel V. Lyon that he added a PS to on Aug. 21, this about the rent payment needed by Renwick on 21 Fifth Ave., since a new heating system had been installed. “If you need money, get it of Miss Harrison. Send Renwick the money, & a word hoping he is well” [MTP].
August 19 Saturday – In Norfolk, Conn. Sam finished his Aug. 17 to Joe Twichell:
P.S. 19th. Your letter arrived from Dublin yesterday evening. It gave me great pleasure, although it was a breach of the prohibition.
I am still in bed—it is the sixth day, but seems the 40th—& there is no immediate prospect of my getting on my feet. However, “prospects” go for nothing in gout, I may be on my feet in three days.
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