November 18 Saturday – Sam typed a response from Hartford to Orion, offering a familiar condescending tone about Orion’s latest idea for speculation, a local electric company. Sam was also “full of devilish irritation besides, on account of ….inability to work steadily” and to his satisfaction on LM [MTP].

Sam also inscribed The Stolen White Elephant to Harriet E. Whitmore:

“Dear Mrs. Whitmore: If the dog had waited, he could have got this copy which is much superior to the other. An impatient dog, a dog that is always in a hurry, is his own worst enemy. The waiting dog is the successful dog. / With the kindest regards of / The Author. / Hartford Nov. 18 /82” [McBride 81]

Thomas Bailey Aldrich for Atlantic Monthly wrote a whimsical note asking if “S.L. Clemens” was a nom de plume. “We think that we detect considerable latent ability in the little Club paper which you sent us yesterday, and would like to hear from you again” [MTP].

D.K. Loveland wrote, clipping enclosed, explaining Loveland’s scheme to take a “temperance drama out on the road…embraces a complete traveling opera house.” He had no capital to carry this out but would call on Sam if he was interested. The clipping stated that 75 to 100 thousand would be needed [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “Car folly”; the scheme would involve several rail cars.