June 23 Tuesday – Sam’s “A Postal Case” was published in the Boston Daily Advertiser [MTL 6: 163n4].

Anna E. Dickinson wrote to Sam

Dear Mr. Clemmens, [sic]—I hope you are so well & happy that to tax yourself in behalf of some one, who has no earthly claim on you, will seem no very serious matter.

I am to go abroad soon, next month I hope, to be absent at least a year, & I shall be glad indeed to be brought to the acquaintance of any one on the other side who is fortunate enough to be your friend, or to whom you may care to present me.

Are you so afflicted by heat, & humors as to cry “shoo!” Don’t do it, but write me the letters instead,—& I hope,—not that you will ever want a kindness,—but that if you ever do, I may be able to serve you.

      Is it allowable to ask what you are busy about?—I am slowly simmering over a book, which must be done soon, & being done I hope will meet Bliss’s approbation, & so that of the public.—I have written Charley Perkins concerning it, & if all goes well, will be in Hartford,—no, I don’t know that, but at least as near as New-York before I sail.

I wish I knew what your opinion of my document would be.

I hope Livy is as bright as this June day, & that the sun shines on you both,—& am always

faithfully your friend

Anna E. Dickinson [MTP]. Note: Clemens replied on June 28.

June 23–28 Sunday – Sam wrote from Elmira during this period to John Brown, announcing Anna Dickinson’s pending trip to England and Europe, and updating sales and royalty figures on The Gilded Age. The letter is lost [MTL 6: 204n2].