November – In Riverdale, N.Y., Sam wrote on a letter by his real estate broker, George W. Reeves, who had just sold the Hartford home: “He started in to bilk me, & did it” [MTP: Am. Art Assoc.-Anderson Galleries catalogs, Apr. 24-5, 1935 Item 58].

At the top of a circular from Harper & Brothers, Sam wrote an answer: “Ever so many thanks for the books. If I could get time I’d like to review the one on the raising of babies…” [MTP: Am. Art Assoc.-Anderson Galleries catalogs, Apr. 24-5, 1935 Item 58].

October 31 Thursday – Sam’s notebook entry of Oct. 30 gives the following evening for reservations of three seasts for “orchestra.” The venue was not determined [NB 44 TS 16].

The New York Tribune, p. 3, ran “Twain Would Be a Bill Poster!”—a similar article to the NY Times article (see under Oct. 30) [MTCI 410-11].

October 30 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook records a to-do list, some items crossed off as if completed:

3 seats orchestra, not further back than 6th row or 1st or second row of balcony to-morrow night

money.

Shaving soap.

Spectacles to Gildre

Miss Marborough

Bram Stoker 783 Mad. Av.

Mrs. Rogers

Post cards & envelopes.

Write Am. Exp. Portrait.

Harpers.

October 29 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Introduce Seth Low to audience at 350 Broadway, noon” [NB 44 TS 16].

Mark Twain spoke at a noonday rally for the Fusion ticket at the New York Life Building in support of mayoral candidate, Seth Low. The New York Times covered the event on p. 3, Oct. 30 edition:

MARK TWAIN AND SETH LOW SPEAK

———

The Humorist Compares Tammany to a Rotten Banana.

———

October 28 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “This, or later, preside at Low Speech. Delafield dinner” [NB 44 TS 15]. Note: rally speech made on Oct. 29. Also, possibly Richard Delafield (1853-1930), banker and Merchant, resident of Tuxedo Park.

In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore. Only the envelope survives [MTP].

Thomas B. Reed, who had taken up the case of R.G. Newbegin Co. and W.I. Squire, wrote to Sam:

October 27 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frank Bliss, upset at the advertising conflicts between Harpers, the American Publishing Co., and the R.G. Newbegin Co.

October 26 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to Franklin G. Whitmore’s Oct. 25 request:

“Don’t do it again, Brer. Whenever you receive a book that requires an autograph, paste into it one of those I sent you, & start it along back. Nothing makes me so angry with an admirer as for him to pay me the compliment of putting me to a lot of trouble” [MTP].

October 25 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Mr. Benthergsen of the N.Y. World, acknowledging receipt of a check for $288.76, which Sam wrote “squares up everything between the World and me and removes the last obstruction to the proper progress of the twentieth century….” [MTP:Kenneth W. Rendell catalogs, No. 134, Item 25]. Note: cable fees for sending the Nov. 1897 Reichsrath story ate up most of Sam’s fees; this squared the account.

Sam also wrote to Miss Meyer.

October 24 Thursday – The Bicentennial Celebration over, Clemens said farewell to the Chapins and other friends and returned home to Riverdale, N.Y.

Sam’s notebook: “Dodge dinner 7.30. Henry Guy Carleton comes in afternoon” [NB 44 TS 15]. Note: Henry Guy Carleton( 1856-1910), playwright and journalist, but best remembered as a humorist, his last play Colinette (1899) starred Julia Marlowe.

October 23 Wednesday – The fourth and last day of Yale’s Bicentennial Celebration in New Haven, Conn. saw commemoration exercises and conferring of honorary degrees in the Hyperion Theater to more than sixty eminent men. The Doctors of Literature degrees numbered eight: Thomas Bailey Aldrich, George W. Cable, Mark Twain, Richard Watson Gilder, William Dean Howells, Thomas Nelson Page, Woodrow Wilson, and Brander Matthews.