February 19 Saturday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Edward House. He’d read rumors in the newspapers that Howells, no longer editor of the Atlantic, might be “going to Switzerland as our Minister.” He added:

“I hope it is true. Winny’s health is getting mighty bad & that country would build her up” [MTHL 1: 350n2].

Sam began a letter to Dan Slote that he finished Feb. 21. He wanted “that little sixty-dollar safe” they’d talked about. He also wanted good seats at the billiard exhibition:

“You get hold of the billiard bosses & pull strong for reserved seats; say you & I are lame & near-sighted.”

Sam had also been told of “Sneider’s last success” with brass plates, which would ultimately prove a swindle. Sam wanted to “sheathe our library walls & ceilings with the elegant brass plates” [MTP].

John Russell Young of the New York Herald wrote to Sam about a letter of Gen. Garfield’s that Gen. Grant showed him, recommending the appointment of Edward House to be Counsel General to Yokohama, Japan:

“He also, I might add, recommended me to be minister. So we were talking over the matter here. I thought it might interest you. I will write House about it.

      “But keep the news confidential until we see what will come” [MTP]. Note: the letter bore a mourning border.

Smith’s Horse Shoeing House, Hartford, billed Sam $12 for toeing and sharpening done on Nov. 29, Dec. 8, 28, Jan. 19; marked paid; Hartford & Connecticut R.R. billed 50 cents for “1 box shipped”; William T. Bassett, hairdresser billed $25.50 for “Jan. 24 up to Feb. 19 for shaving & haircutting”; paid [MTP].

Western Union bill of Feb. 28 shows a message sent to New York, recipient unspecified