May 24 Monday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Congressman Rollin M. Daggett, outlining what steps of punishment a copyright law should take. If not both imprisonment and a fine, the fine ought to be doubled. Ignorance should not be a shield. Sam cited several writers who had been robbed by Canadian publishers, including five editions of Howells’ Lady of the Aroostook. “Now old man, let’s see if Congress will listen to the wail of the distressed” [MTLE 5: 115].

Sam wrote an I.O.U. to George H. Warner, borrowing $900.00 at six percent interest [MTP]. Note: Clemens was not in any financial difficulty at this time so it seems strange that he borrowed 900, but Perkins reported on July 31 that he’d paid Warner back.

Invoiced by Arnold, Constable & Co., New York $8.25 for blankets; paid May 27. The May 31 bill from Western Union shows a telegram sent to Elmira, recipient unspecified (see May 31 entry).

Hills Archimedean Lawn Mower Co., Hartford billed $1.75 for repair of mower; paid May 26 [MTP].

In the evening Sam attended an amateur performance of the play, The Field of the Cloth of Gold, the last by students from Trinity College. He purchased one ticket earlier in the day, as well as one to a May 28 production of a comic opera, Fatinitza. Evidently Livy was not up to attending either. Hawley, Goodrich & Co. of Hartford charged Sam for the stage extravaganza; the bill was paid Oct. 4 [MTP; Hartford Courant ad May 24, 1880 p.1].