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The New York Times, March 23, 1906

ROCKEFELLER, JR., THERE IN SPITE OF NEW HEIR
Talks of Parental Burdens at the Bible Class Reunion.
MARK TWAIN SENDS LETTER
Timothy L. Woodruff Says Pernicious Tendencies in Business Are Not in Life Insurance Alone.

[This article has been edited to include only the portions relevant to Mark Twain.]

The responsibilities of fatherhood were mentioned by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. before a church full of people last night. He didn't say much about them, but what he did say evoked long applause. Though he'd been the father of a son not quite a day, Mr. Rockefeller said the responsibilities were sufficient excuse for not making a good speech....at the second quinquennial reunion of the honorary members of his Bible class....of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, 8 West Forty-sixth Street.
...
Dr. Edward M. Foote, Chairman...read a note from Mark Twain. Here is what the humorist said:

"I am sorry I am not able to be at the meeting of honorary members this evening. My doctor said that if I were a young man, instead of the Methuselah of American literature, I might come to no harm by attending. If that was a compliment I shall find it in the bill. There ought to be a law against such graft as that."

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