January 17 Monday – In Boston, Howells wrote to Sam, “glad to co-operate” in “Gebbie’s Cyclopaedia” (which became Library of Humor) project. He was “heartily in for it” at the price of $5,000 on terms acceptable to Sam. Howells also mentioned “Two cases of measles,” and “an attack of two publishers,” which referred to James R. Osgood in conflict with Henry O. Houghton after the latter had bought out Osgood.
January 16 Sunday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Will Clemens (William Montgomery Clemens 1860-1931); no relation, so Sam claimed in 1908—see Nov. 18, 1879 entry), enclosing a note to Will’s unidentified friend who evidently sought advice as to how to live life. Sam answered:
January 14 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Howells, enclosing George Gebbie’s Jan. 12 letter, which offered to come to Hartford “on the business we have already mooted”—that is, what became the Library of Humor.
January 13 Thursday – The Hartford Courant ran a news article on page two, “The Decorative Art Society” which listed the group’s activities of 1880. Included were three benefit entertainments to replenish the treasury. One of these was a reading by Clemens at the home of Mrs. Samuel Colt in Hartford. [MTHL 1: 346]. Note: this article does not specify what Sam read.
January 12 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to President-elect, James A. Garfield to “speak a word for” Frederick Douglass, who had been appointed U.S. Marshal of Washington in 1877.
January 10 Monday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Pamela Moffett, thanking her for books that her son Sam Moffett had sent.
January 9 Sunday – Clara Clemens was much better in the morning after “good nursing & dosing.” Sam wrote from Hartford to his mother, Jane Clemens. Another fire began in Jean’s crib in the nursery, started when a spark flew through the fire-screen while Julia (Sam’s personal barber) was in Susy’s room making up a bed.
January 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens developed symptoms of pneumonia; the doctor was called [MTBus 149].
January 7 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to George W. Bagby the famous Southern humorist, who had written on Dec. 20 with some sort of invitation. Sam was too busy to accept.
“They say that time is money; it must be so, seeing it is so difficult to get, in any sufficient quantity” [MTP].
December 31 Friday – Hartford merchant bills/receipts/statements:
A.D. Vorce & Co. “picture & looking glass frames, oil paintings” $36.75 for purchases Oct. 12, Nov. 30, Dec. 22; “wire and painting cats, hall frame”; paid Jan. 7, 1881; J.P. Newton, “meat, poultry, game, fish & vegetables” $7.48 for purchases: Nov. 27, Dec. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 fish & lobster [MTP].