November 6 Saturday – Wm. Wander,  pianos in Hartford, billed $200.00 for “Fischer piano style e” paid. Note in MTP 1880 financial file: “Schoolroom piano Christmas present to children.”

The November bill from Western Union shows a telegram sent by Sam to Boston, probably to Howells before leaving Hartford (see Nov. entry).

Sam went to Boston and gave another political speech at the Middlesex Club. He stayed overnight at the Howellses [MTLE 5: 194]. The Hartford Courant of Nov. 9 ran an article about the meeting on page two under “Political Notes.”

At the Middlesex club meeting in Boston, Saturday, Mark Twain brought down the house when he said: “What was the biggest triumph, we elected seven sheriffs out of eight, and that is as it should be, because the criminals and officers ought to be of opposite parties.”

The Hartford Courant of Nov. 13 ran a piece on page one titled “Boston Correspondence”:

Governor Jewell and Mark Twain were here from Hartford, and dined with the Middlesex club. Governor Jewell was cordially received, and his speech was naturally made in the best of spirits. Mark Twain was in a good mood for the most part, though I am inclined to think that on calm reflection he is himself convinced that it would have been as well for him to let Abou Ben Adhem alone. (See Sept. 1880 entry)