December 13 Monday † – In Hartford Sam responded to Howells’ Dec. 12 (Sam probably misdated this letter as Dec. 12, but the mails weren’t that good. Or, perhaps in his grief, Howells misdated his letter). Sam understood Howells’ inability to preside at the Tavern Club, but Dec. 18 was too close to Christmas and company around that time, including his mother-in-law who was staying with them. This precluded his leaving again. Sam then confessed a disclosure of the day before:

Your recent experiences have been hard, very hard — & yet yesterday a thunder-stroke fell upon me out of the most unsuspected of skies which for a moment ranged me breast to breast & comraded me as an equal, with all men who have suffered sudden & awful disaster: I found that all their lives my children have been afraid of me! have stood all their days in uneasy dread of my sharp tongue & uncertain temper. The accusing instances stretch back to their babyhood, & are burnt into their memories: & I never suspected, & the fact was never guessed by anybody until yesterday [MTHL 2: 575]. Note: This source quotes Susy’s biography of her father [576n3] to somewhat soften this view of Sam’s.

Sam also wrote a long letter (not extant) to Henry M. Stanley arguing how Stanley, being a stenographer, might be able to write a book while on the train during lecture travel [Dec. 14 to Webster].

Steuben T. Bacon per American Ballot-Box Assoc. Wrote to Sam: “Your favor with Bond enclosed is received — and I inclose herewith your certificate of stock in this association. You will please sign and return the inclosed duplicate “stub,” for our book” [MTP].