May 5 Thursday – Charles Webster wrote to Clemens that Dan Slote was “either a knave or a fool” and that he was in cahoots with Sneider to “bleed” Clemens [MTNJ 2: 353]. Note: replied May 6.

Emerson O. Stevens (1865-1900) Wrote from Cleveland, Ohio

Mr. Twain,—Dear Sir:

      Perhaps you will excuse me for writing you, when I tell you that for the last three years, although unknown to myself, you have been one of my physicians. A physician certainly ought not take offense at hearing from one of his patients.

      For the last three years I have been confined to the house with paralysis of the lower limbs, nearly two years of the time having been unable to walk. Now that I am somewhat better, I wish to thank you for the pleasure which your writings have given me. I firmly believe that the good solid laughs I have had over them, have done me more good than all the medicine I have taken. And if it be a comfort to know that you have helped a boy pass three dreary years of illness, may that comfort be yours. / Respectfully yours, / Emerson O. Stevens [MTP]. Note: Steven would become an English professor at Adelbert College in Cleveland.

May 5 or 12? Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Mary Mason Fairbanks, informing her that he’d just returned from “shipping Mollie northward.” Mollie’s visit was about one week, judging from this letter and Sam’s Apr. 16 letter. Sam said that, as the French say, “it goes without saying” that Mollie had been a good girl.

“Mr. Whitmore was here the other night, & he & Livy & Mollie & I had a game of logomachy [a word combination game]—however none of these people beat” [MTP].