May 8 Friday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Charles E. Perkins. The language in part of the letter suggests that Sam was working on “Captain Stormfield’s Visit to Heaven,” probably inspired by his recent letters with Ned Wakeman. Sam began the story in 1868 and worked on it intermittently until its publication in Harper’s and in book form in 1907. Sam declined to loan the horse and carriage to Perkins, explaining their sentimental value to Livy. He also discussed plans to widen the sidewalk on Farmington Avenue, from four feet to six, and enclosed a note he’d sent to Hartford city authorities:

“And why make a six-foot walk all the way to the bridge? …traffic was very great—but there is no longer such pressing need, for one of the school children who used to go along there is sick, & the other one has moved away” [MTL 6: 137-9].

Sam also wrote a short letter to Edward T. Potter, architect on the new house, with details that Livy wanted in the butler’s pantry [MTL 6: 140].

Smith, Robertson & Fassett, Elmira Law offices, wrote to Sam enclosing May 1 letter Sheriff’s Office, Dubuque, Iowa, Wilson to Smith, et al : “Enclosed find letter from City atty…with our answer. It seems a man who falsely presented himself as Mark Twain’s agent had his whereabouts known.” What did Sam want done with him? [MTP].