January 21 Monday – Sam gave a reading at Smith College, Northampton, Mass. that included the segments, “Lucerne Girl,” “Tar Baby,” “Andrea del Sarto,” “German Lesson,” “Interviewer,” “Bluejay,” “Baker’s Cat,” and “Golden Arm.” Fatout writes, “Mark Twain admitted to his notebook that this program was too long by at least a half hour”[658]. This reading was one of several Sam gave to support charitable causes; in this case he raised $200.59 for the school’s gymnasium fund [MTNJ 3: 444n120].

Orion and Mollie Clemens finished a letter to Sam and Livy they began on Jan. 20 [MTP].

John S. Farmer, author of a dictionary of “Americanisms” wrote from Surrey, England accusing Sam of writing or causing to be written a “paragraph which appeared in the American papers to the effect that my work was nothing more nor less than a piracy of a projected work by Mr. C.G. Leland.” Was there any truth in this charge? Sam wrote on the envelope, “O, hell!” [MTP].

Frank H. Green for State Normal School, West Chester, Penn. wrote to Sam announcing a Feb. 9 “Aryan Society” meeting devoted “entirely to your writings,” and asked for Sam’s “words of greetings.” Sam wrote on the top of the letter, “Goddamn a man who pays you a compliment & charges you for it. SLC.” Society booklet of bylaws and ribbon enclosed [MTP].

US Cremation Soc., N.Y. Per John Townshend sent Sam a form letter asking his views on cremation [MTP].

Webster & Co. wrote to Sam: “We paid a note for $5,000 Saturday, another for $5,000 to-day and a $10,000 note is due Wednesday. Mr. Peale owes us about $6500 which is due the 26th of this month” [MTP].

S.B. Phillips a Portland, Maine stenographer writing for Phonographic World, “The leading shorthand monthly” sent a form letter sking for Sam’s thoughts and whether he used pen, typewriter or dictated. Return envelope not used [MTP].