June 20 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to the Tri-State Old Settlers Association, declining an invitation to attend some function.

Dear Sir: — Frankness, candor, truthfulness — these are native to my nature; and so I will not conceal from you the fact that if there is one thing which I am particularly and obstinately prejudiced against, it is travel [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Charles Webster after having written George H. Van Zandt of Philadelphia, who had proposed a historical romance for Webster & Co. To publish. Sam was at least initially interested [MTP; Gribben 724]. (See Sam’s added remark to Van Zandt’s June 21 letter.)

Check #  Payee  Amount  [Notes]

3731  Patrick McAleer  300.00  Coachman

3732  F.G. Whitmore  1200.00  Finances

3736  Rev. J.H. Twichell  20.00

Summer – During this summer the Clemens family enjoyed reading Kidnapped! and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. On Apr. 17, 1888, Sam wrote to Stevenson that they had “bathed in them, last summer, & refreshed our spirits” [MTP].