October 5–30, 1868 Friday

October 530 Friday – In Hartford, sometime between these dates, Sam wrote a sort of riddle to Frank Fuller:

“If a man were to signify however which he was not & could not if he had the power, which being denied him he will endeavor anyhow, merely because it don’t, would you? I should think not” [MTL 2: 260].

October 1868

October – The first appearance of “A Californian Abroad – A Medieval Romance” ran in the Overland Monthly. This piece was later collected in IA [Slotta 15].

September 28, 1868 Monday 

September 28 Monday – As Charles Langdon and Sam started for the train depot they were thrown from the wagon. Charles suffered head cuts and Sam was stunned. The accident delayed Sam’s departure. (Willis claims 3 additional days, but Sam left on Sept. 29 [MTL 2: 256 n2]. (See Sept. 29 entry, also a full account of Sam playing possum in MTA 2: 107-110.)

September 27, 1868 Sunday

September 27 Sunday – Sam wrote on Buffalo Express letterhead to unknown gentlemen:

Gentlemen:—

I am going to lecture only a little over half the season, & my present engagements render it impossible for me to go further west than Pittsburgh. Otherwise I would be most happy to profit by your kind invitation.

Very Truly Yours / Samℓ. L. Clemens

Sam arrived in Elmira where he was to stay with the Langdons for a day and a night.

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