August 2 Friday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Orion Clemens explaining delays on the Paige typesetter. Apprentices were striking two keys simultaneously, so the machine had been down for a week until an additional device to prevent such events was installed. Sam wanted the letter strictly private, and included the Apprentice’s Record for time and number of ems on the typesetter.

Not 5 persons in the country know that the machine is done, & no more will know it for a month yet, if we can help it. …

I go to Hartford a couple of days hence to remain a spell. I’ve got an unusually promising apprentice in New York, & presently we shall send for him & put him in the sick veteran’s place [MTP].

Robert Underwood Johnson for Century Magazine wrote to ask Sam if Kemble was going to do the illustration cuts for CY. Johnson wrote “We have the article down ‘for December sure’ and only want to know whether we can expect a slice at the pictures too” [MTP].

Mary C. MacDonald wrote to Sam: “May the recording angel drop some to us and blot out this record of this part of my life.” A begging letter for money. [MTP]. See Jan. 31 from Drake. Evidently Sam had encouraged Mary to send her drawings to the Century Co. and they were rejected.

Franklin G. Whitmore wrote to Sam: “Sorry to hear of your back trouble. Have it rubbed with camphorated oil & Turpentine, ½ & ½ …” His son Fred set 4100 (ems) for 5 ½ hours consecutively; Whitmore was at the factory in the morning and “the machine is going right along.” He enclosed a few checks for Sam’s signature [MTP].