June 10 Thursday – Sam wrote from Hartford to his old editor friend in Buffalo, David Gray. Sam feared negative newspaper reviews of A Tramp Abroad might limit sales, as he had his other books. So, he sent Tramp to only Gray and Howells, knowing that if they didn’t care for it he would receive kind silence. Instead they praised it, so Sam was thankful. Sales were now at 50,000—more, Sam claimed, than any previous book sales for the same length of time.

He wrote that the family would arrive in Elmira for the summer “next Wednesday evening [June 16] (via New York–Erie road.)” Livy would be confined until mid-July. After that time Sam hoped the Grays would visit Quarry Farm [MTLE 5: 123].

Howells wrote to Sylvester Baxter, having received Sam’s letter of June 9, and asked if he might see what Baxter had written about Warner and Clemens before it went into print. “They are particularly sensitive, and as you went from me to them, I am anxious to know what report you give” [MTHL 2: 311-12].

 Also, on or about this date, Sam wrote again to Howells, suggesting that Orion’s manuscript might be “culled & reduced 50 per cent” to be “worth printing.” Sam added that they would leave for Elmira on June 15 [124].

Francis Kenney, Hartford roofer, billed Sam for work done, pots, pails, misc for: Oct. 14, 23, Nov 25, 29 1879; Apr. 17, May 29, 1880; paid June 10 [MTP].