December 4 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Horace N. Allen (1858-1932), American Minister in Seoul, Korea (1897-1905).
I am very glad to have that historical digest, & I thank you for sending it. I hope your boys have successfully resisted all of Tom & Huck’s efforts to dismoralize them, & that they are stronger for the resistance.
December 3 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to Elisabeth Marbury’s Dec. 2 question. He had no preferences after Francis Wilson, and so left the matter in her hands [MTP].
Frank Fuller wrote from N.Y. on his Health Food Co. stationery to Sam.
December 2 Monday – Elisabeth Marbury wrote from N.Y.C. to Sam about whom she should select to make a libretto of CY. She had conferred with George W. Broadhurst, whom she thought “especially qualified” for the job, and also thought Mr. Englander could write the music. If Francis Wilson (Sam’s preference) would not do business on terms acceptable, did Sam have another preference or would he “leave the thing wholly in” Marbury’s hands? [MTP]. Note: Sam answered the next day, Dec. 3.
December – Sam inscribed his photograph to William Winter: “Willie Winter, with the affectionate regard of Mark Twain. Riverdale, Dec., ’01” [MTP: Walpole Galleried catalogs, Nov. 11, 1923, Item 60].
Sam’s story, “The Death-Disk” (aka “The Death Wafer”) ran in Harper’s Monthly Magazine.
W. Ramsay’s article, “Mark Twain: A Biographical Sketch” ran in Great Thoughts. Twainian, II (February, 1940), 7 [35].
November 30 Saturday – Sam’s 66th Birthday. Sam’s notebook: “St. Andrews—Delmonico’s, 7. Carnegie— ‘& speak on what is supposed not to exist—Scotch Humor’ See Nov. 15. Shall arrive there 9.30 prompt” [NB 44 TS 19].
Sam inscribed in an unknown work to Livy: “To Olivia L. Clemens, in passing notice of this day, which lands another year upon the already overburdened back of her loving husband. S.L. Clemens. Riverdale-on-Hudson. Nov. 30, 1901” [MTP].
November 29 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “At the Library—8 p.m. politician / a May engagement—see May 29” [NB 44 TS 19]. Note: May 29 only mentions Mrs. Urban H. Broughton.
In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam signed a typewritten note to Mrs. Sol Baerlein, (Lottie Kohner Baerlein, d.1920) declining an invitation [MTP: Scott J. Winslow Assoc. catalog, June 16, 1999, Item 80]. Note: Sol Baerlein published poetry in the yearbook of the Celibates Club.
November 28 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Livy wrote for Sam to George Austin Morrison, informing him that Sam would not be able to get to the Banquet of St. Andrew’s Society until 9:30 and “slip into his seat at the President’s table before the speeches begin” [MTP].
November 27 Wednesday – Livy’s 56th birthday. Sam inscribed in Hawthorn and Lavender, with Other Verses, to Livy: “To / Mrs. Olivia L. Clemens—Nov. 27, 1871 or 2—Upon the occasion & celebration of one of her early birth-days, when she did not mind them so much. / from SLC. / Riverdale-on-Hudson / Nov. 1901” [MTP: TS of inscription in Hawthorn and Lavendar, with Other Verses; Gribben 308].
November 26 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Could take 6.46. Don’t | Leave by 7.27—arrive 7.55. 8 p.m. Waldorf— big ball room. Mr. Stokes (Fred). N. England Soc. Return, 11.35 (Next & last, is 12.30)” [NB 44 TS 18].
November 25 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Delmonico, 7. Harvey. To reconstruct Harper’s Weekly & save its life. Still with Bangs for editor? Go to! P.S. The result not promising” [NB 44 TS 18]. Note: John Kendrick Bangs.