Details
CLEMENS, SAMUEL LANGHORNE. Autograph letter signed ("Father") to his daughter Clara in Riverdale, Elmira, 2 July 1903. 4 pages, 8vo, on his Quarry Farm stationery, with original stamped envelope addressed by Clemens.
"...Your mother is sofaing in the pleasant breeze on the porch & blinking at the view -- which she concedes is lovely but doesn't begin with the noble view from her windows in Riverdale (a place which she was as homesick for, last night, as ever a lost child was for its mothers's breast.)...The bluebirds have a house in the Cherry Tree; there was a Bob White in the grounds this morning. I wish you was dead. Lots of love to you & Jean from us. Father. P.S. The next-to-the-last sentence gave your mother a cruel shcok. In her delicate state of health she is not strong on grammar, therefore the word 'was' did not save her. She thought I was saying "I wish you was dead,' whereas I was referring to the dog (Jan.) (I thought I should bust.). Your mother is physically (but not morally nor spiritually) lanquid, this morning. But that is all. I think it marvelous that that horrible trip [from Riverdale] did not exhaust her."
"...Your mother is sofaing in the pleasant breeze on the porch & blinking at the view -- which she concedes is lovely but doesn't begin with the noble view from her windows in Riverdale (a place which she was as homesick for, last night, as ever a lost child was for its mothers's breast.)...The bluebirds have a house in the Cherry Tree; there was a Bob White in the grounds this morning. I wish you was dead. Lots of love to you & Jean from us. Father. P.S. The next-to-the-last sentence gave your mother a cruel shcok. In her delicate state of health she is not strong on grammar, therefore the word 'was' did not save her. She thought I was saying "I wish you was dead,' whereas I was referring to the dog (Jan.) (I thought I should bust.). Your mother is physically (but not morally nor spiritually) lanquid, this morning. But that is all. I think it marvelous that that horrible trip [from Riverdale] did not exhaust her."