October 24 Sunday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Orion, enclosing $25. Sam wrote simply: “Bliss is dead. The aspect of the balance-sheet is enlightening.” He concluded that “Out of the suspicions” Orion had “bred…years ago” he profited an extra $20,000 on Tramp by making better deals. So, out of gratitude he increased Orion’s monthly stipend to $75, the amount he’d get in interest from the sum he’d saved. Sam added that the baby Jean was “very fat & happy” with “three chins.” Sam suffered from another bad head cold [MTLE 5: 182]. Note: this was vindication of a sort for Orion, who had openly accused Elisha Bliss of cooking the books to Sam’s detriment. Some sources claim Elisha kept two sets of books.

Sam also wrote to Howells, enclosing a letter he’d sent to Howells in San Francisco that was returned. The letter was about Frank Soulé’s poetry (see Sept. 3 entry.) Sam added plans for the Humor anthology and his strategy for making a contract with the publisher, “that Encyclopediacal Scotchman” [MTLE 5: 183].