August 31 Saturday – In Elmira Sam responded to a message (not extant) from William J. Hamersley that the typesetter would not be ready Sept. 1 as hoped. Sam was in a tight spot financially, and the continual delays and hitches in the typesetter made it impossible for him to obtain help from Livy’s brother, Charles Langdon, who was about to leave with his family for a year abroad. Explaining that the earlier stoppage on Aug. 2 was expected, Sam continued:
I was blown to the moon, tho’, when the sudden news came that we should not get done the 1st of Sept. I was to get the money from my brother-in-law this time, but as it was conditioned on an actual & final finish with this month, so that he could know the fact before sailing for Europe, that trade is off now….He says he has talked with me every summer for three years & that I have always been mistaken about when the machine was going to be finished; & that when I visited Hartford last month I came back here & said it was finished, & once more I was mistaken; that I promised another finish for Aug. 12, & another for Sept. 1 & failed twice more; that on a finished machine he would take the chances & help me if he were going to be here, but as he is leaving for a year’s stay in Europe he can’t afford the risk. [Note: a draft of this letter also appears in Sam’s notebook, 3: 514-15]
Sam offered Langdon a royalty for each thousand borrowed and sought Hamersley’s help and approval, together with Paige’s for such an agreement [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: [chk#] 4417. Meyrowitz Bros. Aug. 31 — 81 cents. [3: 491]. Note: NYC opticians.
Frank B. Darby the Clemens’ dentist in Elmira, sent Sam a clipping (“Mark Twain’s Income is $80,000 a year.”) & a statement Marked ‘Rec payment” for $25 worth of work done on June 27 for Mrs. C., 28 and 29 for SLC, July 2 for Susie, 12 for Mrs.C. Darby wrote under the news item about Sam’s income: “If this ‘Item’ is correct, please let me know and I will hereafter make bill accordingly.” Sam wrote on the side of the statement, “You be hanged — You’ve already begun. All this is old last year’s work-been paid for twice, already” [MTP].
Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam:
I have just returned from Canada, & find a lot of unanswered letters & no stenographer. Our trip was very successful. Made a contract with Dan’l Rose which both he & Dawson agree is perfect & will absolutely protect the book. / I will give you full details Tuesday… [MTP].
Webster & Co. Sent Daily Report slips for the period Aug. 19 to Aug. 31 [MTP]. Note: below is a typical report, actual size was 6 & 1/8” by 6 & ¾”, this from the Subscription Dept. There are perhaps 100 in the files for this period, showing Sam’s “close watch” on the company; today we might say “micro-management”:
