October 12 Thursday – From Hartford, Sam typed a letter to George W. Cable, very satisfied with a portrait that had arrived, the artist one “Mrs. Cox” (Frances A. Cox). Sam told Cable to relate how “delighted we all are with her work.” Charles Warner and Joe Twichell were now home, so Sam hoped Cable could “come up as soon as” he could [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Kingsland Smith, of the St. Paul Roller Mills:

My Dear Smith—A barrel of the best flour we ever had in our house arrived while we were away on summer vacation, and we are using it now. It came from St. Paul, but no bill came with it. Did you send it? Is this the ordinary price? Let me know right away, because I have got over one hundred people who want to trade with you and with nobody else. They want to give you all their custom. Sincerely yours, / SAMUEL L. CLEMENS – [Hartford Courant, Nov. 2, 1882, p2].

Kate D. Barstow wrote having rec’d Sam’s check for $40. “I am glad to report the Diptheria entirely eradicated from our house” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “$40 rec’d”

J.S. Ogilvie & Co. Wrote: “We write to say that we thank you for your leniency in matter settled this day with Alexander & Green by payment of $583…We acted entirely innocently in the matter, and we now regret that you did not in some way notify us that you believed your rights were being imposed upon” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “The dullest ass!”