London, Jan. 4.
Livy darling, Stoddard & I dined at Dolby’s tonight.1 Beside his family,2 two friends of his were there, white-haired gentlemen 60 years old. One was Dolby’s brother-in-law, Monsieur Sainton, a Frenchman; the other was a Mr. Herr Luder, a Prussian. They were good natured old fellows, but now & then they would get to abusing each other roundly. However, as it didn’t seem to disturb Dolby or his wife in the least, I gradually came to take it as a matter of course [myself. By ] & by Dolby told us their history. When Herr Luder was 25 years old, he was a famous pianist,—pianist to the king of Prussia. He happened upon Sainton, 25 years of age also, & at that time becoming an accomplished violinist, but a stranger in a strange land3 & very poor. Luder said “I will get you an opportunity to play before the king”—which he did. The king gave him a gratuity, & he was enabled to live along for a [while. But ] by & by he disappeared. Luder hunted him up; found him in bed in a mean lodging—for his clothes were now too ragged to appear in in daylight. H Luder asked what was the matter. Sainton said he was [sick. Luder ] said, “Is it not that you are not sick, p but poor?” Sainton confessed. Luder said, “Here is quite a sum of money; you have great talent; take this & give concerts & make a fortune; it is all the money I have; if you succeed, you will pay it back to me if you are a gentleman; if you do not succeed, or if you are a bad man,—no matter, I will not reproach myself for the loss.”
Sainton succeeded; became rich & famous; returned & hunted up Luder; found him poor & his fame as a pianist waning fast. He paid him back his money, took him into his house as one of the family, & there he has remained every day from that day to this—five-&-thirty years!4
When the Franco-Prussian war was going on,5 Dolby says it was something gorgeous to see those two old men get into a frenzy & blackguard & abuse each other like fishwomen till they were exhausted, & then kiss as fondly as two children & go off to bed.
We had a rattling good time at Dolby’s tonight, & I hope we can have Mrs. Dolby in our house some day—she is a fine [woman. Dolby ] thinks that the reason Clara6 is restless & uncheerful is because she is pining for him!
I love you my dear old sweetheart.
Samℓ.
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Mrs. Samℓ. L. Clemens | Hartford | Conn. [in upper left corner:] America. |
[flourish]
[on flap:]
slc
[postmarked:] [london] • w i ja 5 74
[and] [new york jan 17 paid all]
Explanatory Notes | Textual Commentary
At the bottom of the letter Stoddard noted, “Dramatic Agent who brought Chas Dickens to America.”
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Previous publication:
L6, 8–9.
Provenance:
see Samossoud Collection in Description of Provenance.
Emendations and textual notes:
myself. By • myself.—|By
while. But • while.—|But
sick. Luder • sick.—|Luder
woman. Dolby • woman.—|Dolby
london • lon [d] on [badly inked]
new york jan 17 paid all
•
[new york ja]n 1[7 pa]id
[all]
[badly inked].