October 17 Tuesday – Sam lectured in Allentown, Penn. He wrote from Allentown to Livy:

      Livy darling, this lecture will never do. I hate it & won’t keep it. I can’t even handle these chuckle-headed Dutch with it.

      Have blocked out a lecture on Artemus Ward, & shall write it next Saturday & deliver it next Monday in Washington [MTL 4: 474-5].

The Easton Free Press ran a notice by “The Committee” dated Oct. 17 announcing “Mark Twain has been compelled to disappoint the good people of this town,” citing two telegrams pleading “sudden illness” in the family. A promise of “another evening shortly” would not be fulfilled until Nov. 23.