May 9 Monday – In Hartford Sam received the Library of Humor from William Dean Howells and wrote to him:

You spoke of writing an introduction to the L. of H. [Library of Humor]. All right, I wish you would. I think of putting the book in the printers’ hands about a month hence. I’d like the introduction, first-rate, whether you can sign it or not. [MTHL 2: 592-3; MTNJ 3: 295n233].

Sam then wrote to Charles Webster that he’d received the Library of Humor from Howells and would “presently get it ready for press.” His letter reveals his schedule:

I expect Ned House to arrive here (on his back with gout,) the 16th (Monday), & then I shall go to New York the next day. All my dates between now & then are pretty compactly filled up [MTP].

Check #  Payee  Amount  [Notes]

3683  Bearer  14.60

 3684  Mssrs Hunting & Hammond  60.95

3685  Mssrs Harris Brothers  7.25

3686  Mssrs Seidler & May  27.50  Cabinet Furniture

3687  J.B. Wooley, Agt  15.00

3688  Mr. S.P. Griswold  18.52

3689  Baltimore & Ohio Tel Co  0.62

3690  The Hartford Club  4.40