June 18-August 31 – Sometime during this period in Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Margaret Blackmer about a humorous exchange with a supposed lookalike.

I’m already making mistakes. When I was in New York, six weeks ago,  I was on a corner of Fifth Avenue & I saw a small girl—not a big one—start across from the opposite corner, & I exclaimed to myself joyfully, “That is certainly my Margaret!” so I rushed to meet her. But as she came nearer I began to doubt, & said to myself, “It’s a Margaret—that is plain enough—but I am afraid it is somebody else’s.” So when I was passing her I held my shell so she couldn’t help but see it. Dear, she only glanced at it & passed on! I wondered if she could have overlooked it. It seemed best to find out; so I turned & followed & caught up with her, & said, deferentially, “Dear Miss, I already know your first name by the look of you, but would you mind telling me your other one?” She was vexed & said pretty sharply, “It’s Douglas, if you’re so anxious to know. I know your name by your looks & I’d advise you to shut yourself up with your pen & ink & write some more rubbish. I am surprised that they allow you to run at large. You are likely to get run over by a baby-carriage any time. Run along now & don’t let the cows bite you.”

What an idea! There aren’t any cows in Fifth Avenue. But I didn’t smile; I didn’t let onto perceive how uncultured she was. She was from the country, of course, & didn’t know what a comical blunder she was making [MTP: MTB 1438].