To Olivia L. Clemens
11 November 1879 • 1st of 2 • Chicago, Ill.
(MS, in pencil: Christie’s, New York, December 1991, UCCL 01712)

Palmer House, Nov. 11.

Livy darling, George & I walked over 76 miles, yesterday, round about the town, & inspecting the outsides of beautiful dw & costly dwellings, & the water-works machinery, the fair decor street-decorations for the Grant reception, & so forth, & had a good time. He went west last night, & I went to three theatres with a lot of newspaper men; staid but a few minutes at two of them, but saw a whole act at the third. It was the first act of Pineafore, admirably done by children—little children, like ours. The characters were most excellently taken—it was a marvel to see it. The singing was quite often delightful.

I was home & in bed at 9 ‸10‸ o’clock. Drank 11 gallons of Appolinaris water & 1 glass of lager during the evening; drank one Scotch whisky in bed, read 2 hours, & went to sleep without needing the other punch.

I love you darling

Samℓ.

Mrs. S. L. Clemens | Hartford, | Conn [return address:] [‘10’ circled in pencil:] if not delivered within 10 days, to be returned to [postmarked:] chicago ill. nov 11 2pm [and] hartford conn. rec’d. nov 13 11a.m. [docketed by Olivia L. Clemens:] Nov. 11/——