October 17 Friday – In Hartford, Sam responded to Howells’ Oct. 16 letter:

Yes, give Osgood the MS—I haven’t the least objection. I am about half glad that Laffan beat him at billiards the other day, because he promised to stop over here & play with me, & didn’t do it.

By George, the refreshment & rest there is in a change of air & scenery once in a while! I am to preside at a Mugwump meeting Monday night. / Yrs Ever / Mark [MTP].

Richard Watson Gilder for Century Magazine wrote again about the excerpt of HF to run in the magazine, and suggested $30 per page would be fairer than a flat $400. “I enclose the first page which we have sent to press. Have only omitted the poem, and a few cuss words—about the fog.—” [MTP].

Louis M. Passmore wrote to Clemens for his autograph [MTP].