December 21 Saturday – Sam’s old friend and enemy, Edward H. House, died in Tokyo, Japan, where he had been living and writing since 1892. Days before his death the Japanese emperor bestowed upon House the Second Order of Merit of the Sacred Treasure. At his memorial service he was called “the most brilliant writer ever connected with journalism in the Far East” [Huffman 18]. Note: see entries on Edward (Ned) House in Volumes I & II.

December 20 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Must be at home–Clara” [NB 44 TS 19].

In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to Elisabeth Marbury’s Dec. 19, his letter not extant but noted on hers:

“Dec. 20/01. / Wrote her to give them 80% & me 20%” [MTP].

Sam inscribed a copy of FE to Robert B. Cone: “To / Mr. Robert B. Cone / with the compliments of / The Author. / Riverdale, Dec. 20, 1901. / S.L. Clemens / [cross-signed:] Mark Twain” [MTP].

December 19 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Debating Club, 8.15. Pipes & tobacco” [NB 44 TS 19]. Fatout lists this appearance and talk by Sam at a Debating Club, N.Y.C. but offers no particulars [MT Speaking 669].

Elisabeth Marbury wrote to Sam:

December 17 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Ralph David Blumenfeld.

December 16 Monday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Jules Hart of the Hebrew Infant Asylum. Hart’s address: 173 St. Nicholas Ave., N.Y.C. “When politics enter into municipal government, nothing resulting therefrom in the way of crimes and infamies is then incredible. It actually enables one to accept and believe the impossible.” This is often quoted.

December 15 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Dr. Rice, dinner” [NB 44 TS 19]. Note: Dr. Clarence Rice.

December 14 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Dinner, Hutchinson” [NB 44 TS 19].

In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to Harper’s Dec. 14 by writing on it:

“Dec. 14. In talk with the Major, he thought that only the Detective Story should be in the book—thought it could be filled out to $1.50 bulk with marginal drawings” [MTP].

December 13 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Go Princeton. See Hutton. Returned in evening” [NB 44 TS 19].

In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam added a note to his second Dec. 12 to Rogers: “Sent no proxy. SLC. Riverdale, Dec. 13/01” [MTHHR 477n1].

December 12 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote two notes to H.H. Rogers. The first concerned Rockefeller’s Dec. 10 invitation to read or speak on Dec. 27:

I found a note from Mr. Rockefeller when I got back home yesterday, and I answered accepting his invitation and saying I would read or talk, whichever he might prefer—I named “Two Little Tales” as the reading.

December 11 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote two sentences to Daniel Carter Beard:

“Good—send Mr. Crosby along. I’ll see him any morning between 10.30 & 12, with pleasure” [MTP].