February 11 Wednesday – Sam’s one “watched basket” fell apart when Senator John P. Jones sent a telegram. He also wrote a letter on Senate letterhead:

I have received your note of 9th and telegraphed you today that within the time named it is impossible to accomplish anything, and that even with time, so far as my investigations have gone, the difficulties seemed almost insurmountable…I shall be glad to do anything I can to help you…there cannot be a doubt as to the future of the machine [MTNJ 3: 602n96].

February 10 Tuesday – In New York, James Redpath died after being hit by a streetcar. The NY Times for Feb 11, 1891 p.8 reported the tragedy:

JAMES REDPATH DEAD

THE FATAL TERMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT WHICH BEFELL HIM

Mr. James Redpath died yesterday morning at 9 o’clock at St. Luke’s Hospital from the effects of injuries received last Thursday afternoon, when…he was run over by a Madison Avenue horse car.

February 9 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote a simple and short reminder of the option given to Senator John P. Jones on Aug. 13, 1890, and of its expiration four days hence, or Feb. 13. First he wrote a “copy in substance” in his notebook [MTNJ 3: 602].

Therefore, won’t you please send me a note or telegram to tell me what I may count on? [MTP].

February 8 Sunday – In the evening Sam worked on the first chapter of his new book, The American Claimant [Feb. 10 to Howells].

February 7 Saturday – In Hartford Sam wrote again to Livy in Philadelphia. She evidently had written suggesting he come to spend Tuesday night (Feb. 10) with her in New York so they might both return to Hartford the next day. He wrote of the two daughters at home, of the weather, and his rheumatism:

February 6 Friday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Livy at the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia. Livy was traveling with Mrs. Beach and visiting Susy Clemens at Bryn Mawr. A. Hoffman writes she went to help with the production of Iolanthe, a play in which Susy played the role of Phyllis. Students discovered Susy had a fine soprano voice; this was probably the beginning of Susy’s singing ambitions [366-7; Neider, Papa 12].

February 3 Tuesday – On or about this day Livy left with Mrs. Beach to visit Susy Clemens, who came from Bryn Mawr to stay with them at the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia. A week later Sam was writing Howells about never separating himself from Livy again “in this foolish fashion” [Feb. 10 to Howells].

February 2 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to James Whitcomb Riley in Indianapolis, thanking him for the “darling” poem (“Erasmus Wilson” collected in Neighborly Poems 1891) sent on Jan. 30. Sam claimed Riley was “the only man alive” who could read his poems “exactly right.”

February – Thomas Bailey Aldrich inscribed his book, The Sisters’ Tragedy, with Other Poems, Lyrical and Dramatic (1891), to Sam: S.L. Clemens, from / his young / friend, / T.B. Aldrich / Feb. 1891 [Gribben 17]. Note: Sam wrote his thanks on Feb. 21, suggesting the book was given sometime after mid-month.

January 31 Saturday – In Hartford Sam wrote a one-liner to Charles Noel Flagg, also in Hartford. Flagg the artist had also written “Talks with my Uncle George,” sent to Richard Watson Gilder of the Century, who had rejected it.

Dear Mr. Flagg: Gilder’s a jackass. Get it nicely type-written, & we’ll ship it to Harper [MTP].