October 5 Monday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam added a P.S. to his Oct. 2 to James Barnes.
“P.S. Oct. 5. It is all right! The book has this moment arrived, & I thank you again” [MTP]. Note: Gribben gives (1866-1936) for Barnes and lists four books, but only one prior to 1905, The Son of Light Horse Harry (1904) Harpers; this may be an early release of the book, but why it would have to be sent from Brazil is not clear [48].
An unidentified person who signed “The Boss”, wrote from Allegheny, Penn. to Sam, admiring him for HF, CY and “all your other works,” adding “Hoping that you may often yet use your pen against Catholicism, and wishing you a long life” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the back: “Compliment without charges / Keep it.”
Paine gives this as the date the Clemens family left Elmira for New York, taking rooms at the Grosvenor Hotel [MTB 1206]. Hill confirms: “On October 5, after a final visit to Susy’s grave, the Clemens family moved from Elmira to New York City, where it spent the last weeks before departing at the Grosvenor Hotel” [70].