To Edward T. Potter
8 May 1874 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS: CtHSD, UCCL 01086)

Elmira, N. Y. May 8.

Dear Sir:1

Mrs. Clemens says (so as to be sure it has not been forgotten,) that she wants everything about the slab in the butler’s pantry—to be of wood—the bowl, the slab, the back of the slab, & all—so there will be no excuse for dishes getting nicked.

And in the closet in the bath-room of the nursery (at the right hand of the door as you go from the nursery into the [bath-room],) she wants a row of hooks about 3½ feet above the floor, & with shelves over them going to the ceiling—as per a talk which she had with you about the it.

Ys Truly

Samℓ. L. Clemens.

[in pencil:]

P. S. She wants doors to shut up the above-mentioned hooks & shelves.

Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary

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1 This letter was clearly to Potter, and not to his associate, Alfred H. Thorp, or to the general contractor for the new house, John B. Garvie. Potter had been in Hartford in early April and could have spoken with Olivia then. He regularly corresponded with Clemens about such details (L5, 271–72 n. 8; Mark Twain House, 3–5, 8; Potter to SLC, 15 Oct 74, 6 Apr 75, 13 May 75, 30 May 75, all in CU-MARK).

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford (CtHSD).

Previous publication: L6, 140.

Provenance:purchased in 1975 by the Stowe Center from the Seven Gables Bookshop.

Emendations and textual notes:

bath-room • bath-|room