December 14 Sunday – In N.Y.C. William Dean Howells wrote a short note to Sam.
Stoddard’s story was rubbish of the sort that would appeal to a love-sick chambermaid; and I had to send it back to him. But I am ready to join you in another move on Harriot[t]. / Sorry to have been in Ohio when you came, the other day [MTHL 2: 754].
Note: the source gives this note as written on the back of a Dec. 9 letter by Charles Warren Stoddard, asking Howells to find a buyer for the story, “Absent beyond Seas,” and adding that Frederick Harriott had paid $250 of the $400 owed. See Dec. 4 and prior entries on this running attempt by Howells and Twain to collect from Stoddard’s literary agent.
Sam wrote to William Dean Howells, letter not extant but referred to in Sam’s Dec. 15 to Stoddard.
Charles W. Stoddard wrote to Sam that he has “had no further communication with Fred Harriott.” He then quoted a previous letter from Harriott [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env “Harriott writes him a scurrilous letter.”