December 7 or 8 Thursday – Sam was putting more literary irons in the fire. He telegraphed Isaac E. Sheldon & Co., publishers of Galaxy magazine. Sam had previously wanted Sheldon to publish a collection of his sketches, but Bliss had objected. Sam now suggested a pamphlet, not a book, for the Christmas Galaxy edition, a way around his contract with Bliss [MTL 4: 268].
December 6 Tuesday – John Henry Riley wrote from Wash DC, wanting to “come and have a chat” with Twain, and would try to get a leave of absence. “Look for me at the Mansion House on Thursday or Friday night—to return on Monday next” [MTP].
December 5 Monday – Elisha Bliss telegrammed to Sam: “All right go ahead will write tomorrow” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “Bliss’s telegram agreeing to 8 ½ pc & advance of $2,500 if demanded on African copyright / This received Dec. 6, 1870.”
John Henry Riley telegrammed Clemens: “Long letter rec’d Plan approved Will get ready to go” [MTL 4: 266n10]. Note: Sam rec’d it on Dec. 6.
December 3 Saturday – Sam’s article, “An Entertaining Article,” which also appeared in the December edition of the Galaxy, was re-printed in the Buffalo Express [McCullough 262]. The paper also ran a poem titled “Three Aces” over the pseudonym “Carl Byng.” When the poem was called Sam’s “weak imitation of Bret Harte,” it caused Sam some grief. (See Jan. 15, 1871 entry.)
December 2 Friday – Sam wrote from Buffalo to Elisha Bliss and offered a compromise royalty on the new book of 8 ½ percent. Bliss drew up a contract based on this letter [MTL 4: 256-7].
December 1 Thursday – In Buffalo, Sam wrote to Warren Luther Brigham (1846-1880) of the Boston Saturday Evening Gazette. Brigham had written suggesting Sam write a column for the Gazette. Sam declined—“as we steamboatmen used to say, ‘I’ve got my load.’” Still, Sam wrote that the Gazette was “the only Weekly paper I ever wanted to own” [MTL 4: 254-5].
December – In the Galaxy for this month – MARK TWAIN’S MEMORANDA – Included:
“An Entertaining Article”
“History Repeats Itself”
“Running for Governor”
“The ‘Present’ Nuisance”
“Dogberry in Washington”
“My Watch – An Instructive Little Tale”
“Favors from Correspondents”
Short miscellaneous items – includes items on A Colt, Whitney, Brigham Young, Divorce, Epitaph, the Map, Art [Schmidt].
November 30 Wednesday – Sam’s 35th birthday. Bliss wrote Sam the facts of life about publishing—but said if he wanted 10% then he could have it, but it would leave Bliss very little profit. It was a very civil give and take. “Will this suit you? Aint it fair?” about the diamond book [MTL 4: 253n2].
John Henry Riley wrote to Sam.
November 28 Monday – Sam wrote from Buffalo to Elisha Bliss that Orion was to start east in “about 6 or 8 days.” Sam also told of his plan to send Riley to South Africa, and the 600-page book he planned to write by the spring of 1872. He then asked Bliss for a 10% royalty on the proposed book.
November 27 Sunday – Livy’s 25th birthday. Sam gave her a copy of Snow-Bound. A Winter Idyl (1869) by John Greenleaf Whittier inscribed: “Livy/Nov. 27, 1870./From S.L.C.” [Gribben 767].