December 17 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Orion, sending $25 for Christmas gifts for him and Mollie. Livy wouldn’t know what to select, he said, and “this seems the best & simplest way.” He wrote:

“The pig matter is of no consequence—only, I perceive that when one deceives people as often as I have done, there comes a time when he is not believed when he does tell the truth” [MTLE 5: 229].

Sam also replied to the Dec. 16 from Rose Terry Cooke. “Good—I shall be there.” Sam preferred to “read 15 minutes from my ‘works’ to keep the audience quiet while the preparations for the performances are going on…because reading requires no preparation” [MTLE 5: 230]. Note: The event or function may have been for The Decorative Art Society.