April 9 Monday – Still in New York, William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

My Dear Clemens —

Don’t you go and turn Mr. Metcalf out of doors as soon as he begins to talk article to you; but you listen, and seriously. I’ve told him (what he knew) that you’ve the best head in America for a dead-in-earnest thing, that shall smile and hurt awfully [MTHL 2: 600].

From Sam’s notebook: Now after 6 wks apprenticeship, Fred Whitmore has set 40-odd-000 in 7 hours [MTNJ 3: 382&n274]. Note: Will and Fred, sons of Franklin G. Whitmore, were sometimes employed as Paige typesetter operators.

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam, the monthly $155 check received. “I sent you correspondence this morning about your law case here. If it fails to reach you, let me know” [MTP]. Note: the lawsuit in Keokuk was brought by Webster & Co. against R.T. Root & Co., a book agent.