June 5 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “J. Ross Clemens / 110 N. 8th st. St Louis / smoker. / Rochambeau reception./ Mayor Wells. / The stolen watermelon. & skiff” [NB 45 TS 16].

Livy’s diary: “Mrs Orton Bradley & Mildred Holden here for tea, beside Mrs Whitmore” [MTP: DV161].

In Columbia, Mo. Sam wrote to Charles E. Still. “I remember you very well, & I wish I could accept your kind invitation, but my time is filled up & I am obliged to deny myself the pleasure” [MTP].

June 4 Wednesday – In Columbia, Mo., The University of Missouri conferred an honorary Doctor of Law degree, LL.D., upon Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Paine writes of the ceremony:

June 3 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Guest of E.W. Stephens. / Publish ‘Herald’ / Walter Williams, Editor ./ Columbia, Mo. / James Thayer Girauld, Secy P.B.K. will elect me honorary member” [NB 45 TS 16]. Note: P.B.K. =Phi Beta Kappa. Paine gives E.W. Stevens [MTB 1172]..

Livy’s diary: “The Misses Dodge here for tea” [MTP: DV161].

June 2 Monday – In Hannibal, Mo. Sam had breakfast at the home of Colonel and Mrs. Hatch [Sorrentino 21].

Sam’s notebook: “Miss Lakenan, 10 a.m. will call with a carriage. / Mr. Crookshank’s house—reading. / Wister will call at 5.30 / Supper before at George Clayton’s / The girl was lost in the cave—they only find bones, —sweetheart of Bates” [NB 45 TS 15]. Note: the last a story idea.

As in the above NB entry, Fatout lists Sam’s giving remarks at Mr. Crookshank’s (Cruickshank) home in Hannibal for some 300-400 people [MT Speaking 670; Sorrentino 21].

March 9 Tuesday – The official publication date for How to Tell a Story and Other Essays [M. Johnson 78]. Note: the title piece, “How to Tell a Story” ran first in the Oct. 1895 issue of Youth’s Companion. See Apr. 9 as official date for two copies registered to the Library of Congress.

March 6 Saturday – Orion finished his Feb. 28 and Mar. 5 letter to Sam. “In thinking over the past is it best to say, If this event had not occurred a train of events would have ensued whose end would not be misplaced by some unforeseen intervening occurrence?” [MTP]. Note: Orion’s letters were often a mixture of family and local goings-on, rooting for Sam, and this sort of splash of philosophical wonderings.

August 8 Saturday – In Hartford Jean Clemens wrote to her father; the letter not extant but mentioned in Sam’s Aug. 26 to Livy.

March 4 Thursday – H.H. Rogers sent Sam a cable c/o “Bookseller” that the contracts had been signed. This cable was returned on Mar. 5, so a second one was sent c/o Chatto & Windus, which was delivered  [Mar. 23 to Chatto & Windus]. Note: neither cable is extant.

March 2 Tuesday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to John Y. MacAlister at 20 Hanover Square, London, declining his “kind invitation” to an unnamed gathering due to his “bereavement [MTP]. Note: MacAlister obviously replied, his letter not extant but implied by Sam’s Mar 2 to 24 response.

MacAlister was editor of Library magazine and member of the Savage Club.

February 26 Friday – At 23 Tedworth Square in London, Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers, “nervous about the contracts” since Frank Bliss had delayed signing. Bliss’ contract specified an advance, non-refundable advance of $10,000 on Sam’s new book, (FE). Sam confessed to not being “strenuous now” and suggested they grant concessions should Bliss want them. He was pondering a good offer from a London publisher for FE, and wanted “to strike Chatto for a new and better arrangement,” but not until Bliss signed.