June 8 Thursday – Clara Clemens’ eighth birthday was celebrated with a party for 67 children at the Farmington Avenue house. In his notebook, Sam entered: “Osgood get a Longfellow for Clara’s birthday” [2: 460]. Longfellow died on Mar. 24; soon after, Houghton, Mifflin & Co. published a volume of his works. Sam believed Jean picked up scarlet fever at the party [MTNJ 2: 487n186].

Sam inscribed The Stolen White Elephant to Clara Clemens: “To / Clara Langdon Clemens / from / Papa / Hartford, June 8, 1882” [MTP]. Note: the first copy of the book which would issue from the press on June 10.

Orion Clemens wrote from Fredonia: “Ma is most well. Glory for Dr. Moore! She has had no more spasms” [MTP].