July 15 Thursday – The Hartford Courant, on page one, ran an excerpt from Sam’s sketch, “Edward Mills and George Benton: A Tale” from the August issue of the Atlantic Monthly.

The new Atlantic contains the tale of Edward Mills and George Benton by Mark Twain, which is as clever a satire on the sentimentality over crime as that sort of gush has ever received.

Sam purchased Frank M. Wilson & Co., Bridgeport, Conn. tailors and Gents Furnishers $15.00 each for two white linen suits, bill paid on July 20.

A. Homann wrote from Hamburg to offer to translate TA [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Translator / Tramp /1880”

Edwin Herbert Walcott (1846-1913) wrote from Natick, Mass.

 Mr Clemens / Dear Sir / Have just read your “Edward Mills & Geo Benton” in Augst Atlantic. I am a church member, a deacon, ex-S.S. Supt., ex-Y.M.C.A. Prest &c &c(!) but I want to thank you for the story, all the same. It is capital, perfect. You have builded better than you knew. I only wish it might have been written by a man “inside the fold,” with a little different motive than a desire to get off a good joke, but whatever the motive the story is true, my only fear is that the officers & members of the “Prisoners Friend Society” will not read it. I am a hearty & sincere believer in the church, its work & above all its Master & only regret that there should be facts in existence to sustain such a “Tale” but it is a success. / Yrs. E.H. Walcott [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the letter, “About ‘Mills & Benton – a Tale.’”