March 23 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Odell dinner, Lotos Club? 9.45 do? I’ve an engagement” [NB 44 TS 7].

Once again, Sam gave a dinner speech, arriving too late to dine, which allowed him to avoid a lot of rich food and a lot of clatter and noise. The New York Times, Mar. 24, p.2, ran a full article on the event at the Lotos Club in honor of Governor Benjamin Barker Odell, Jr. (1854-1926) (Article below edited to include only the introductory paragraphs and Mark Twain’s speech):

March 22 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Have asked Mr. Dodge to dinner. | Dickson et al 10.30 Benj. Curtis at 10.45” [NB 44 TS 7].

The New York Times ran claims of libel against Mark Twain, p.16:

DEMAND THAT TWAIN RETRACT.

———

Missionaries Say Statement by Him in The North American Review Is Libelous.

March 21 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Henry Holt 7.30 711 Madison Ave” [NB 44 TS 7].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to John White Alexander:

“Is it strictly private, & no reporters? If so, that’s in my line. Am I too impudent?” [MTP]. See Aug. 10, 1888.

James L. Hickok of Binghamton, N.Y. wrote to Sam requesting a lecture to help raise funds for a public library [MTP].

March 20 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Opera Harvey” [NB 44 TS 7].

The Minneapolis Tribune, p.1 ran the political cartoon (insert); top caption: “The Best Joke Yet”; bottom caption: “The G.O.P. ‘Wow! Yah! Yah! Ho! Ho! Oh, wow! M-M-Mark you—Oh, Lordy! You always was a funny fellow.’”

March 19 Tuesday – Henry C. Klinke of Cleveland, Ohio wrote to Sam (only the env.survives) [MTP].

March 18 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “11, Stenographer. Conway & Harrison, 6.30. Century Club 7 W. 43d” [NB 44 TS 7].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a short paragraph to Frank Bliss that he expected the American Publishing Co. to continue to add works to his 22 volumes in the Uniform Edition as they were written and published elsewhere [MTP].

March 17 Sunday – Sam’s notebook: “Possibly Mr. Bartholomew” [NB 44 TS 7].

March 16 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Male teachers of N.Y.? 6.30. I better go at 8.15. / Irving Bacheller there. Hotel Albert. Van E. Kilpatrick. Carriage will call for me at 8.15. General topic, Training of a citizen” [NB 44 TS 7].

The whirl of speaking engagements continued with Mark Twain talking at the Hotel Albert for the monthly supper of the Male Teachers’ Association of N.Y.C. The New York Times, Mar. 17, p.2, reported:

MARK TWAIN ON TRAINING THAT PAYS

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March 15 Friday – Sam’s notebook: “Stenographer, 2 or 2.30. 7.30-engaged” [NB 44 TS 7].

March 14 Thursday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote a postcard to Frances A. Ramsay, stenographer, hoping she could come the next day at 2 or 2:30 p.m., as he had an “accumulation of letters” [MTP].