February 9 Thursday – Sam wrote from Buffalo to Louis Prang and Co. acknowledging receipt of a chromolithograph. Sam added:

“This is all in haste. I am simply out of the sick room for a moment’s rest & respite. My wife is seriously & I am afraid even dangerously ill” [MTL 4: 329].

Thomas Bailey Aldrich wrote:

Dear Mr. Clemens, /I have been a long while acknowledging the receipt of your cheerful letter; but you understand how a man who writes perpetual “leaders” sometimes finds that the pen he uses for his private correspondence weighs about a ton. Now and then I kick over my personal inkstand; but I have just set it up on end and refilled it, in order to thank you for your entertaining pages. I am glad that I accused you of “The Three Aces”, and ruffled your feelings, and caused you to tell me about poor Artemus Ward, and how the Overland got so striking a design for its cover. Really, that is the best bear story I ever heard. All this wouldn’t have happened if I had not wronged you. Mem: Always abuse people.

When you come to Boston, if you do not make your presence manifest to me, I’ll put a ¶ in “Every Saturday” to the effect that though you are generally known as Mark Twain, your favorite nom de plume is “Barry Gray.” I flatter myself that will bring you. / Yours very truly, / T. B. Aldrich [MTPO]. Note from source: “Barry Gray” was the pseudonym of genteel humorist Robert Barry Coffin (1826–86), who, like Aldrich, had been associated with the New York Home Journal in the late 1850s.

Clemens also wrote or telegraphed to Francis P. Church, wanting his last submission to the Galaxy withdrawn or held up [MTP].

Francis P. Church wrote Sam two notes and also telegraphed what is clearly a reply:

“All galaxy gone to Press impossible to do it notice of withdrawal not in department generally so quiet it need not disturb you my heartiest sympathy / F P Church”