August 8 Saturday – Sam and Livy continued on to Buffalo where they stayed with David Gray and family [MTL 6: 205].

In Morristown, New Jersey, Bret Harte wrote to Sam. After enumerating various payments he’d received for stories and articles in the New York Times, and telling Sam “you ought to get more, as you are much more valuable to a newspaper than I am,” Harte was amused by perceptions of his so-called wealth:

Of course this is all confidential. You will continue to inform people that I habitually turn out my $50 page per day and that it is my usual custom to eat from gold plate with a butler in a white cravat before me. That you have always deplored my extravagant prices, and that only personal friendship kept you from doing my work at one third the price in the interests of literature.

Raymond tells me you have dramatized your last book and that its good. I never thought of you in that way. I dare say you will get before the spotlight before I do—but the stage is large and there is audience for us both. Wherefore go on, my dear boy, and conquer. No will applaud louder than myself—among the claque [Duckett 95].

From Charles E. Perkins’ cash book, Sam’s account: “To po Mr. Potter 400.00” [Berg collection, NYPL]. Note: Edward T. Potter, architect for the Farmington Ave. house.

Augustin Daly wrote:

My dear Mr. Clemmens, [sic]

I see that you are entering the dramatic field. Don’t you feel like doing something for my company & my theatre. I think I could put you on the road to a good thing—if you are inclined to talk the matter over with me.

Drop me a line if you will, & say where you will meet me. If you will come to the theatre, I am in town every day in the mornings.

Sincerely

Augustin Daly [MTP]. Note: Sam replied Aug. 14.