May 13 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam wrote two letters to Frederick J. Hall about an offer to serialize The American Claimant.

May 12 Tuesday – Cyrus Curtis, publisher of Ladies Home Journal, increased the offer for the serialization of The American Claimant from $4,000 to $6,000. Sam accepted (on May 13) but problems would develop in coordinating the English and American installments [MTNJ 3: 625n192].

Henry M. Alden for Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam a note enclosing a $100 check for the piece “Luck,” which Alden wrote would make two pages in the magazine [MTP].

May 11 Monday – In Hartford Sam submitted an article to Henry M. Alden, editor of Harper & Brothers in N.Y.

See if this will do to fill a narrow corner in the holiday number. It was told to Rev. Jo. Twichell here, years ago, by the English clergyman who figures in it…. [MTP]. Note: the article in question was likely “Luck,” which Harper’s Monthly published in August.

Sam also wrote to an unidentified man, probably a newspaper or magazine reporter or editor seeking an interview or opinion:

May 9 Saturday – Samuel Clemens drew up a will on this date. Livy would prepare hers in early June. Neither document is extant [MTNJ 3: 622].

Charles J. Langdon wrote to Sam sending an enclosed assignment to be signed for the Clearfield stock “which was to be given up to secure the new bonds” [MTP].

May 8 Friday – E. Sparhawk wrote on Mutual Life Ins letterhead hoping he was not “presumptuous in asking you to loan me one hundred fifty dollars.” Sam wrote on the envelope, “Can’t do it. No answer.” [MTP].

May 7 Thursday – Charles W. Stoddard wrote to Sam asking him to grant an interview to his English friend (unspecified) [MTHL 2: 646n5].

May 6 Wednesday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam about the Memory-Builder game:

I have talked with one or two toy stores. They are willing to take any reasonable quantity we want to send them on sale, but they will not buy very many of them to start with; they say they want to see how the public will take it up [MTNJ 3: 612n137]. Note: The public was not wild about the game and Sam would eventually regret connecting his name to it (Mar. 8, 1892 to Hall).

May 5 Tuesday – William Milligan Sloane, professor of history at Princeton University, wrote his thanks to the Clemenses for his recent visit. Though the actual dates are not known or mentioned it was often a habit to have guests stay the weekend, or May 2-3 [MTNJ 3: 622n179].

May 4 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Frederick J. Hall about possible buyers for The American Claimant, which Sam had drafted in a very short time at a 70-75,000-word length.

I don’t think very much of [Edward W.] Bok’s offer. He has engaged a short story of Mr. Howells at $5,000 & Howells has sold the use of a long story to the N.Y. Sun for $10,000.

May 3 Sunday – The Clemenses hosted William Milligan Sloane and wife on an overnight stay. †

Sam T. Kinney wrote on mourning-bordered pages thanking Sam for sympathy extended [MTP].