March 27 Monday – Sam wrote (typewritten) from Hartford to Charles Webster.

“Come come my boy, tell me what you have been doing. I may be in New York for an hour tomorrow; cannot tell yet” [MTBus 184].

Sam also wrote Howells, who wrote of his shock at Longfellow’s door upon learning of the man’s death:

My Dear Howells:—I can imagine the shock at Mr. Longfellow’s door. The news of his death had a peculiar affect on me; for it brought back that infernal breakfast and made me feel like an unforgiven criminal. I think there is no reasonable doubt that I can read all summer without any inconvenience. I can read all the Saturdays and Sundays and also an hour each evening perhaps. This added up makes about a month of pretty steady reading and ought to accomplish the business. I am very much obliged to you for reading “The White Elephant” and also for having such a good opinion of it. Yours as ever S.L. Clemens [typed letter, presumably by Roswell Phelps] [MTHL 1: 398].

“The Stolen White Elephant” was to be the title story of the book Osgood was about to publish.

Caroline B. Le Row wrote from Brooklyn, glad Sam had been born for she was trying to find something for a reading book for youth that was “lively…not objectionable” and felt the McWilliams sketches would do—would he give permission for her to use these? [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Yes”

Charles Webster wrote about stock manipulations on the Kaolatype stock and Slote’s involvement [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Slotes K. Swindle”