August 22 Wednesday – Sam appeared as a witness, ironically for Captain C.C. Duncan, in his $100,000 libel suit against the New York Times [MTNJ 3: 25n41].

Sam wrote from Elmira to Howells. Clemens had just completed perhaps the most productive period of his writing career. With HF drafted and “1002d Arabian Night” completed, he wrote:

How odd it seems, to sit down to write a letter with the feeling that you’ve got time to do it. But I’m done work, for this season, & so have got time. I’ve done two seasons’ work in one, & haven’t anything left to do, now, but revise. I’ve written eight or nine hundred MS pages in such a brief space of time that I mustn’t name the number of days; I shouldn’t believe it myself, & (therefore) of course couldn’t expect you to. I used to restrict myself to 4 & 5 hours a day & 5 days in the week; but this time I’ve wrought from breakfast till 5.15 p.m. six days in the week; & once or twice I smouched a Sunday when the boss wasn’t looking. Nothing is half so good as literature hooked on Sunday on the sly [MTHL 1: 438].

It is instructive to note what a large number of projects Sam was involved with during 1883, everything from finishing his masterpiece, HF, along with perhaps one of his worst burlesques, “1002d”, as well as a variety of business and investment schemes. He wrote: “I must speculate in something, such being my nature” [439].

Sam also telegraphed Charles D. Clarke, editor of the Bath (Maine) Independent. Evidently Duncan was after that paper as well.

“Clark Editor / Bath Maine / Your telegram much garbled in transmission. Did not say to Times Reporter any portion interview published. Have no copy. Suit pending against Times” [MTP]. Note: Sam also identified opposing lawyers and said he hadn’t been served.

Charles D. Clarke for Bath Independent (Maine) wrote asking if Sam could offer him hints in his own libel suit by Duncan [MTP]. Note: See Aug. 23 & 24 entries.