March 26? Friday – Sam wrote from Elmira to his mother and family, more on desire to help Orion, and Sam’s indecision as to his plans—possibly a trip to California in May. Should he lecture on the circuit next season? Join Nasby on the Toledo Blade? [MTL 3: 177-8]. Sam hadn’t decided what to do.
March 25 Thursday – Sam wrote in Livy’s copy of Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table,
Midnight March 25, 1869—I wish “Even Me” to be sung at my funeral.
March 24 Wednesday – The Sharon Times reported that Sam was “about to issue a work of some six hundred pages, ‘The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrim’s Progress’.” The notice confirms that by this time Sam had decided on the new title for the book [MTL 3: 175].
March 21 Sunday – Sam returned to Elmira, where he continued proofing Innocents Abroad with Livy.
December 31 Thursday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Gertrude Natkin in N.Y.C.
December 30 Wednesday – In Redding, Conn. Sam wrote to Elizabeth Alexander Alexander (Mrs. John White Alexander).
December 29 Tuesday – Sam wrote in the new Guestbook before transferring names and information from the old guestbook:
STORMFIELD GUESTBOOK
December 28 Monday – In Redding, Sam wrote a postcard to Ragnvald Blix in Munich, Germany.
December 27 Sunday – Sam’s new guestbook:
Name Address Date Remarks
December 26 Saturday – In Redding, Conn. Sam sent the same postcard with a photo of himself, Ashcroft, and Lyon to Dorothy Sturgis, this time adding supposed dialog between those photographed: