October 26 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Buffalo to Elisha Bliss asking if he thought his articles in the Galaxy had hurt book sales. He had notified Frank Church at the Galaxy that his year would be up with April’s edition. Even though Sam had expounded firmly that he was done lecturing, now he said, “I half expected to lecture a little next year” [MTL 4: 212]

Sam also responded to an angry letter from Dr. Iretus G. Cardner (1832?-1894), about a bill for treatment in Mar. 1867.

“…if you enjoy getting out of temper, level it all at me—I don’t mind it. Newspaper abuse has made me callous, & so if I can be useful to you as a target, in further payment of a bill that has run so disgracefully long, my moral alligator-skin is at your service” [MTL 4: 214].