The Man in the White Suit: Day By Day

April 24 Monday – Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: “Mr. Clemens went to see Mr. John Howells & Mr. Larkin about the furnace. Telephoned Mr. Renwick, making an appointment with him for Friday morning so that he can talk the matter over with Katie” [MTP TS 15].

Helena Gilder (Mrs. Richard Watson Gilder) wrote to Sam. “Mrs. Dunham asked me whether she might send you the invitation that goes with this. I said yes, indeed & that it would be a great pleasure to James if you would present at his lecture” [MTP].

April 24 Wednesday – In N.Y.C. Isabel V. Lyon replied for Sam to Mrs. Arthur J. Tenney’s Apr. 22. “Thanks for photo is so overdriven in these days if the enclosed is of use glad to enclose it” [MTP].

Sam also dictated a reply to the Apr. 7 from Benjamin R. Tucker, but his response is on the back of Tucker’s letter in Josephine Hobby’s shorthand, and is undecipherable [Gribben 662].

April 24 Friday – Clemens and Ralph Ashcroft traveled to Greenwich, Conn. to visit Jean Clemens. Jean, her two nurses, and friend Marguerite Schmidt; the ladies would shortly move to Gloucester, Mass. Meanwhile, Isabel Lyon inspected the construction site of what would be Stormfield at Redding [Hill 197; 203]. Note: the exact date of Jean’s move was not determined, but on May 20, Sam wrote a “welcome to your new home” for her. It becomes apparent that Hill used IVL’s journals for much of his source, though he didn’t always cite it.

April 24 Saturday — In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Robert J. Collier.

Dear Robert:-—

If in my time I shall have your good and dear father’s happy fortune, be glad for me, as I am glad for him; but grieve for those I leave behind, as I am grieving for yours.

With my love,

S.L. Clemens

(MTP: Peter F. Collier, In Memoriam 1910).

Sam’s new guestbook:

April 24 Sunday — Jervis Langdon II diary entry:

Sun. April 24, 1910, Raining when we arrived at Elmira, Father there to meet us. Lee & the children well. Funeral services at 3.30, Mr. Eastman very good—his prayer wonderful. He was very brief. Father met Mr. Paine, Mr. Duneka and Maj. Leigh. To the cemetery in heavy downpour which was continuously a part of the day. We got a carriage & took the children down to Mothers. Clara & Ossip seemed to like them .All except I of the party returned on No. 8 [Jerome & Wisbey 154].

April 25 Tuesday – Sam inscribed a copy of A Dog’s Tale to Mrs. Bellows: “To / Mrs. Bellows / with greetings & salutations of / The Author. / Apl. 25/05.” [MTP].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: Oh Bambino lying here on my desk—crooning away your song of comfort, you are a sweet little friend. I’ve been playing much music tonight Bambino—playing until I am saddened by the beauty of the strains.

April 25 Thursday – Sam was on the Kanawha bound for Jamestown, Va. According to Lyon’s journal entry below, he sent a telegram upon arrival—if 17 hours from 1:30 p.m. Apr. 24, the arrival was approx. . 7 a.m.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Telegram that the King had swift good passage. 17 hours” [MTP TS 54]. Note. telegram not extant.

A.K. Wright, Minister, Church of Christ, San Jacinto, Calif. wrote to Sam, enclosing a newspaper clipping of his poem, “The Desert” [MTP].

April 25 Saturday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Helen Schuyler Allen.

I miss you ever so much, you dear Helen. There’s been a queer & constant reminder of you— salt in my hair—ever since that pleasant bath, until an hour ago when I washed it out with 5 separate & distinct soapings & scourings.

April 25 Sunday - In Redding, Conn. Sam replied to the Apr. 23 from James M. Beck.

April 26 Wednesday – Clemens had a discussion with Louis E. Van Norman concerning his ideas for Postal Checks (money orders) [Apr. 27 from Van Norman].

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “The chronicling isn’t gay. Bambino’s doom in sealed. He must go— yesterday he was sweeter than usual, but that was only the beginning of his dear older ways. Oh, little cat—it’s so very dreadful” [MTP TS 54].

Isabel Lyon’s journal # 2: Sent Mrs. Tabitha Greening’s check.

Palmyra, mo

Mr van Norman came from Review of Reviews to talk about Postal check matter.

April 26 Friday – Sam was in Old Point Comfort, Va. In his May 2 to Clara, Sam wrote of the first day that it was “sunny and bright.” After that the fog rolled in.

“But the first day was very gay, & really paid for the excursion. I blundered into the Virginia building, thinking it was the Maryland one; but it was all right: the Governor was holding a reception & I took it off his hands. It gave him a rest & he was thankful. I knew him & his wife before.”

April 26 Sunday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Eden Phillpotts.

Dear Mr. Phillpotts:

The Human Boy Again has arrived, & I have just begun it & am greatly enjoying it. Meantime (in Bermuda) I read—& re-read—The Mother of the Man, with high admiration. A great book!

I wish I had energy enough to resume work upon one or two of my several half-finished books —but that is a dream, & won’t ever come true. / Cordially your friend … [MTP].

April 26 Monday — In Redding, Conn. Jean Clemens finally came home, signing into the guestbook and giving her address as “Stormfield” [Hill 226; guestbook below]. Note: Hill further points out that Jean would never leave again; that an adjoining 125 acreage with barns and livestock, called “The Italian Farm,” became hers. The purchase had been arranged in Feb. for $4,200, and was one of his final acts as Twain’s business manager.

April 27 Thursday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to William Dean Howells.

April 27 Friday – In the evening at 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Gertrude Natkin.

April 27 Saturday – Sam was in the Fort Monroe, Va. area after seeing the Jamestown Exposition, having a “foggy & gashly time!” In his May 2 to Clara he wrote that after the first day:

April 27 Monday –  Helen Schuyler Allen wrote to Sam.

My dear Mr. Clemens, / I was afraid that possibly you had forgotten to write me, so decided I would write you first, and tell you how much I have missed you, I shall always remember the lovely times we had together and particularly our fine swim that last day you were in Bermuda.

When ever I use my camera I think of you, and how kind you were to help me get it. Please do write me soon. I remain you loving and devoted “Angel-fish” / Helen Schuyler Allen

April 27 Tuesday — Clemens went to New York City and spent the night with the Rogers family [Apr. 26 telegram to HHR]. Note: the nature of the visit, whether personal or business or both, is not known.

April 28 Friday – At 21 Fifth Ave. in N.Y.C. Sam wrote to Andrew Carnegie.

Dear St. Andrew: / For thirty-eight years I have striven for the position of world’s benefactor, but you have gotten the start of me, I am too old to struggle longer—take the place, you’ve won it fair! If you had told me of this great thing when you were at my bedside the other day I would have resigned without waiting till now; & you could have had my halo, too. It may be tin, but no matter, it’s good tin, & paid the duty when it came down.

April 28 Saturday – Sam wrote to Gertrude Natkin, his letter not extant but referred to in Natkin’s reply of early May. From the context of her reply, Sam asked her if she would like to have an autographed photo of himself for her room [MTP].

April 28 Sunday – Sam was in the Fort Monroe, Va. area.

Isabel Lyon’s journal: “Mrs. Baker came—stricken. Thompson came—pastels. I’m not well” [MTP TS 54].

Dorothy Butes wrote from the Hotel Majestic (NY?) to thank Sam for his “lovely book” JA. She’d been “chuckling over CS and his criticism of Mrs. Eddy’s English.” She offered an anecdote from her Latin class about a classmate, Lorraine, who she described as “about a hundred and sixy pounds, who tries to be kittenish” [MTP].

April 28 Tuesday – At 21 Fifth Ave, N.Y. Sam wrote to Nancy Langhorne Astor.

I am very sorry to hear that you have been sick, & very glad to believe that you are well again.

I wonder if I am really to have the lark of darting over to England & back, in the summer? The thought of it is enticing, but—There’s always a but. I do not suppose I can go—still, it is good enough material to dream upon, till by & by.

April 28 Wednesday — Sam likely returned to Redding from NYC this day.