July 30 Sunday – In Krankenheil-Tölz, Germany Sam wrote to his English publishers, Chatto & Windus. He complained, “that these little German papers are so constipated in the matter of news,” and asked if they would pay for the [London] Daily News for him for six months and send it to his bank, Drexel Harjes, Paris. He told of reworking a story (PW — see July 30 to Hall) started a year before, first with 10,000 words, then with 95,000 words, then another time cut to 81,500 words, and recently reduced to 58,000. He also advised them of the family’s plans:

We shall leave this village (it’s a bath), 15 or 17 days hence & go wandering again, & fetch up in Paris about Oct. 1 for a long stay [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Frederick J. Hall, elated at the improved version of PW. Even Livy pronounced it a success.

When I began this final reconstruction the story contained 81,500 words; now it contains only 58,000. I have knocked out everything that delayed the march of the story — even the description of a Mississippi steamboat. There ain’t any weather in, & there ain’t any scenery — the story is stripped for flight!

It was nearly as long as The American Claimant and had the new aspect of fingerprints as clues. “What is she worth?” Sam needed money and wanted what he market would bear.

Do your best for me, for I do not sleep, these nights, for visions of the poor-house….Everything does look so blue, so dismally blue!

Sam also wrote that “by & by” he would take up the Rhone voyage account again, and “tackle Adam” (“Adam’s Diary”) again, & do him in a kind of friendly and respectful way that will commend him to the Sunday schools. I’ve been thinking out his first life-days to-day & framing his childish & ignorant impressions & opinions for him. / Will ship Pudd’nhead in a few days. When you get it, cable… P.S. I may run over in October, but it’s only the merest may” [MTLTP 354-6].