August 21 Thursday – In Elmira with Livy who was caring for her mother, Sam wrote to Orion and Mollie Clemens. A mix-up in the Buffalo to Elmira leg of his trip back caused him to take another train, so he directed Orion and Ed Brownell to “go to the R.R. office & collect back the money…& get drunk on it.” Sam regretted having to leave early,

I was mighty sorry to have to leave when I did, for I had entirely enjoyed my visit until that fool Whitmore sent that idiotic & nerve-stretching dispatch. It ought to have read: “A very pleasant but not important letter from Brusnahan — wants you to look in, as you pass through New York.” …

We go to New York this afternoon. Livy will go to the Katskills tomorrow if the strike will permit, & I go to Washington, mayhap.

Now that I am back close to my base of operations, my mind is at rest & I feel entirely fearless as regards the future.

You can open Jean’s letter & keep it — I don’t need it. She & Livy are first rate, Mother is not very well. Sue is as usual, & we all send love to you both & plenty of it. I hope Ma does not miss me [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore. A mix-up about two copies of the new contract with Paige being out of the safe at the same time led to problems, but Sam felt it had “come out all right,” and told Whitmore not to worry.

Neither Paige nor anybody else could have mended the old one [contract] in such a way as to make it entirely satisfactory; but a few strokes of the pen can make the new one perfect — & Paige will agree to those strokes; I have no doubt of that — none in the world. If it will be of any solace to you to know it, I look upon the whole episode as a most fortunate thing, & one which I would not undo for a great deal of money.

I think you may rush the checks to Tannersville — Mrs. Clemens will sign them. Some of them are urgent — shopping ones. She will reach there to-morrow or Saturday.

My own movements are uncertain. I may possibly go to Washington Saturday & remain a day or two [MTP].

Sam and Livy took the ten-hour train trip to New York where they spent one night.