October 5 Thursday – In Hartford, Sam typed a letter to George W. Cable, asking if he’d received the note he sent from the Century office on Sept. 29. Sam repeated the invitation to visit:

“IF YOU CAN STAY THE LONGER BY COMING NOW, COME NOW; BUT IF YOU CAN STAY THE LONGER BY COMING LATER, COME LATER” [MTP].

Samuel H. Church wrote from Columbus, Ohio to ask Sam to “compose a preface” for his book, Horatio Plodgers: A Story of To-Day, which was to be published shortly by W.B. Smith of NYC [MTP; Gribben 143: reflects book was in Clemens’ hands].

Elon G. Salisbury for American Union Publishing Co., NYC wrote asking to use Sam’s name in their forthcoming prospectus as a contributor to “The Illustrated Family Friend” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Idiot or rascal”