December 29 Wednesday – Sam declined an invitation from the Press Club of Chicago, writing from Hartford that the “formidable size of the trip in this mid-winter weather” would bar him from attending. He hoped they remembered him as well as he did them [MTLE 5: 242].

Sam also wrote to William Seaver, who had inquired of Sam about the Hartford Club. Sam and Charley Warner were the only respectable people in town who were not members, he answered. William B. Franklin, Gov. Richard Dudley Hubbard (1818-1884), General Joseph R. Hawley, etc. were members; Seaver could inquire of Charley Clark of the Courant staff about the Club. “Sling him a note & God be with you” [MTLE 5: 243].

A. Whiting billed $10.60 for purchases Dec. 23, 24, Jan. 1, 1881 roping, flowers, paid Jan. 1? [MTP].

The Jan. 1, 1881 bill from Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Co. shows a telegram sent to Elmira (party unknown, see that entry for others).

Edwin P. Parker wrote to Clemens that it would give him pleasure to read the MS. described, “and I rejoice in your project. Happy New Year wishes [MTP]. The MS. was P&P. File note: “See SLC to Parker 27 Dec 1880 Nook Farm pp. 191-192.” Andrews writes that more than any other of Sam’s books, P&P was a product of “community collaboration.” Sam’s uncertainty about the book caused him to pass it around among friends.

Gustav Amsinck, Consul General of Portugal, wrote that he’d rec’d Sam’s of Dec. 24 and copies of his 6 books for the library of Lagos [MTP].