May 14 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Livy:
“Twichell & I, & another preacher or two, & the editor of the ‘Post’ are to take tea—with Mr. Henry Clay Trumbull, this evening, but you can’t go, on account of that sarcasm.”
May 13 Thursday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Livy, more of the same sort of romantic “bosh.”
“Now I have nothing henceforth to do but write newspaper letters, read proof, & scribble letters to Livy” [MTL 3: 225-6].
In the evening Sam wrote “Private Habits of the Siamese Twins,” which later appeared in Packard’s Monthly as “Personal Habits of the Siamese Twins” [MTL 3: 228 & n3].
May 12 Wednesday – Sam wrote in the evening from the Bliss home in Hartford to Livy. Sam had taken a long walk on dark streets and was reflective [MTL 3: 219-23].
May 11 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to his mother about leaving Elmira, proofs of his book, money he sent and what she might need. He also wrote of his desire for a small wedding [MTL 3: 218-9]. Note: It was 2 a.m. and the letter seems abrupt.
May 10 Monday – Sam wrote from Bliss’ office in Hartford to Mary Mason Fairbanks.
May 9 Sunday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Livy about continuing to struggle with the proofs of his book [MTL 3: 209-11].
May 8 Saturday – Sam wrote just after midnight from New York City to Livy, whom he missed already. He filled her in on activities since reaching the city.
May 7 Friday – Sam and Charles Langdon went to Dan Slote’s blank book and stationery store, then the Tribune office until 2 PM. In the evening Sam and Charley attended a production of Othello (whom Sam called “the great miscegenationist”) at Booth’s Theater at 23rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues [MTL 3: 204].
May 6 Thursday – Sam and Charles Langdon took rooms at the St. Nicholas Hotel in New York City.
May 5 Wednesday – Sam left Elmira in the evening with Charles Langdon, who went to New York for medical attention. Mary Mason Fairbanks, Mrs. Langdon and Sam’s mother all had questioned the propriety of Sam staying so long at the home of his betrothed. Sam saw the need to work on his book directly with his publisher, and to soothe the females as well [MTL 3: 205n1].