January 21 Saturday – Isaac E. Sheldon wrote to Sam: “Why do you not return the proof sent to you some days since? I fear that it may not have reached you” [MTP].

C.F. Sterling wrote from Birmingham, Conn. to Sam.

Dear Mark, / I don’t care if letters are a bore to you either to answer or receive, I’ve had so much amusement from your travels, memoranda, &c. I want to thank you for it and I’m going to do it. Accept then the hearty gratitude of one who feels indebted in a higher degree than his subscription to the Galaxy or purchase of “The Innocents Abroad” cancels. Sometimes I think the balance between you writers and we readers is most unfair and while you are racking your brains to amuse us, we in our selfishness swallow it all and also all amusing things that happen to us. That you too may have a little smile let me tell you how they do things in Buffalo.

Stopping there one night a few weeks since I went to the “Tift [Tifft] House” called the nicest I was told. Going up to my room I, as is my invariable custom felt of the bedding to see if there was sufficient to keep me warm as it was during one of the cold spells we have recently had. Found sheet, one blanket and white spread. Coming down I asked the clerk to put more bedding on 106. “Certainly sir.” Going up to bed about 11.30 I found a blanket nicely spread over the outside. Still feeling doubtful as to quantity I felt again and found the blanket had changed places with the counterpane and there was precisely the same amount as at first. You will appreciate this as you know the style they spread at the “Tift House” and prices they charge. Don’t imagine I send this for publication. Tis for you to laugh at [MTPO].