September 15 Monday – Sam wrote from Elmira to George S. Gilman, publisher, evidently responding to his inquiry about Sam’s connection with American Publishing Co.: “Under certain (not difficult nor unreasonable) conditions, I am to remain with the old Co., I believe” [MTLE 4: 96].
Sam also wrote to Howells, who had responded Sept. 9 to Sam’s “Are you dead—or only sleepeth?” note asking about “the two books.”( A Tramp Abroad and The Stolen White Elephant). Sam answered:
When & where? Here on the farm would be an elegant place to meet, but of course you cannot come so far. So we will say Hartford or Belmont, about the beginning of November. The date of our return to Hartford is uncertain, but will be three or four weeks hence, I judge. I hope to finish my book here before migrating. / I think maybe I’ve got some Atlanticable stuff in my head, but there’s not in MS I believe.
Sam also suggested again doing a play together, and the desirability of Orion as a character.
I see Orion on the state, always gentle, always melancholy, always changing his politics & religion, & trying to reform the world, always inventing something, & losing a limb by a new kind of explosion at the end of each of the four acts [MTLE 4: 97].
Sam also wrote to his sister, Pamela Moffett:
I have no check-book here—at least I can’t find it. I will tell Charley Langdon to send you a draft for $175—$100 of it to buy the lot with…
The lot was near Van Buren Point, a Lake Erie resort area near Fredonia. Sam wanted to build a cottage there sometime in the future.
We had a charming visit with you all, & achieved a higher opinion than ever of Charley, & his energy, capacity & industry. But mind I tell you, in all affection, Sam had better look out or he’ll be another Orion. This may be a false alarm & I hope it is—but isn’t it really time Sam was getting at something? He has got a mighty good head—he ought by all means to go into the law with that young Woodford. They would make a success of it, sure.
I was going to write a few lines to Ma, but this is the sixteenth letter I have written since I sat down, & I am getting tired. Besides, there’s a pile to answer [MTLE 4: 98].
Burt Tempest “a young authoress” wrote from Phila. to Sam, having just finished a novel, which she had tried to find a publisher for. Would Sam help or advise her? [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “A curiosity—for humility, insolence, ignorance, vanity, self-sufficiency, sham, humbug, & general loathsomeness. But the mixed metaphors—oh, they are sublime!”