November 13 Saturday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Sarah Knowles Bolton, who suggested Sam see a “proof first,” of the section on Mark Twain for Famous American Authors (1887) [MTP].

Sam also wrote to James W. Paige, enclosing J.W. Schuckers’ Nov. 12. Schuckers wanted to meet Sam and Paige to interest them in his spacing device, which might work with the Paige typesetter.

On what date shall I ask him to come up here & meet you & Beadle & me? Return this, with answer, by my messenger, Patrick [McAleer]. Note: Chauncey M. Beadle, manager of J. Langdon & Co. He also played shortstop on the team Alerts (See July 2, 1887.)

Sam also wrote to James B. Pond, who evidently had written Nov. 10, unaware that Sam was to speak on Governor’s Island in New York harbor on Nov. 11. Sam shamed him for being a “well-posted man!” and not knowing of the appearance. He promised to “look in” on Pond “presently” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Charles Webster agreeing not to “mention the book to any one.” This was probably the late Gen. George McClellan’s book, which is mentioned after Sam’s signature [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Dora Wheeler, artist daughter of Candace Wheeler. Dora had wished to sketch or paint Charles Dudley Warner, but Sam confessed his neighbor was “off on that long Southern tour,” away until Christmas.

Prithee come right along now, any time — but to our house, mind you, not the hotel. The hotels here are simply hellish….Now if you will name the happy day (How bookish that sounds) & the train, the boss or I, or both of us, will go to the station & fetch you. With our kindest regards to you & your mother [MTP].

The Hartford Courant ran an unsigned account of Sam’s Nov. 11 reading on Governor’s Island, “Sir Robert Smith of Camelot,” page one. This was reprinted from the Nov. 12 New York Sun [Tenney 15].