December 9 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to James Cowan (1839-1884), declining to “write something for the ‘Knapsack’ as his time was “so wholly occupied on the closing chapters of a book…” [MTLE 4: 175].

Sam’s response to Thomas B. Kirby ran under the heading “Mark Twain and Postal Matters” in the Hartford Courant [MTLE 4: 170; Camfield, bibliog.].

Sam also wrote to Howells, thanking him for the “intolerably short” time he had at Belmont staying with the Howellses. Sam wrote that his letter to Kirby was in this morning’s Courant. “I make an effort to blast the Post Master General’s private secretary from his lucrative position. I think I’ve rather got him” [MTLE 4: 176]

Sam also wrote to Robert Green Ingersoll asking for a perfect copy of his Chicago speech. Sam had “imperfect copies” and he wanted a good one for his scrapbook. He wrote he was going to read the speech to the Saturday Morning Club, his group of young girls [MTLE 4: 177].

Martin Beem, atty. wrote from Chicago, whole page enclosed from the Chicago Daily Tribune of Dec. 2, which included a speech by Gen. Beem under “Unhappy Ireland.” “My Dear Twain: / Do you know I’m awful glad I met you while here.” He complimented the “Babies” speech [MTP]. 

William Winter wrote from Staten Island about Holmes and the poem he’d written for the dinner [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Willie Winter / Poet / Holmes Dinner / 1879”