March 3 Tuesday – Sam telegraphed from Hartford to William Dean Howells to complete arrangements for Howells to visit. Embellishing the old saw about a bird in the hand, Sam wrote:

“All right come down with me Friday the superior value of birds in the hand over those that still sport in joyous freedom amid the leafy depths of their native woodland is so universally recognized that I cannot feel necessitated to enlarge upon it to one of the first minds of the age at three cents a word by telegraph” [MTL 6: 59].

Sam also answered the Mar. 2 from Thomas Bailey Aldrich about lunch in Boston on Mar. 6 and returning to Hartford in time for dinner with Howells and Warner:

“My Dear Mr. Aldrich: / Howells is to dine with Warner & me in Hartford that day & date so I naturally infer that a body can lunch with you & Mr. Sothern at 1 & still catch the 3 PM train for this town—therefore, if my inference is correct, I shall be more than glad, I shall be proud to tackle your sustenance on that occasion” [MTP, drop-in letters].

Note: When specified “George Warner,” referring to C.D. Warner’s brother, George Henry Warner (1833-1919); in context, “Warner” alone means Charles Dudley Warner.

Sam also telegraphed Redpath asking him why he didn’t congratulate him since he didn’t expect to “Stand on a lecture Platform again after thursday night” [MTL 6: 60].