August 23 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Howells, who had encouraged Sam to speak or write in support of Hayes in the coming election. Sam realized he’d have to do it in a:

“…natural, justifiable & unlugged way; & shall not then do anything unless I’ve got it all digested & worded just right. In which case I might do some good—in any other I should do harm. When a humorist ventures upon the grave concerns of life he must do his job better than another man or he works harm to his cause” [MTLE 1: 101].

Sam wrote that both the girls were developing whooping cough and that it was getting cold at Quarry Farm and “we want to get away homeward Sept. 5.” Besides working on Huckleberry Finn and preparing to write Prince and the Pauper, Sam wrote only one sketch during the summer, “The Canvasser’s Tale,” which he enclosed in this letter, under the title “The Echo That Didn’t Answer.” It ran in the December Atlantic. Sam planned to read it in Boston on Nov.13 or 14. He asked Howells to send him 3 proofs if he wanted to use it, and he’d send one to the Temple Bar in London. Sam added a note what was probably his most shocking tale: “1601: Conversation, as it was the Social Fireside, in the Time of the Tudors,” or simply 1601. The piece would have been considered pornographic in those days. 

“When we exchange visits I’ll show you an unfinished sketch of Elizabeth’s time which shook David Gray’s system up pretty exhaustively” [MTLE 1: 101-2].