February 5 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam turned down an invitation from Arthur H. Dakin at the University Club in Boston (Incoming not extant).

I should enjoy it ever so much if I were younger & gayer, but I am at that lazy stage of life when one does not leave the chimney corner except under compulsion of the sheriff. And so, I can only return my earnest thanks for the honor done me by the invitation, & stay by the fire & dream dreams & nurse my senilities [MTP].

February 4 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Frank Bliss.

“There is a chance for you to buy Newbegin’s contract & sell it to another man at what seems to be a tall figure. When you come here to talk with me about it give me notice by telegraph or telephone (150 Kingsbridge) the day before” [MTP]. Note: R.G. Newbegin Co. had distribution rights for the American Publishing Co.’s version of Mark Twain’s Uniform Edition.

February 3 Monday – In. N.Y.C. William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

I have Mr. Skrine’s book; but I am switched off from my North American Reviewing to paragraphing and article letting for the Weekly, and I don’t know what to do for your friend. I can’t write any more than I’m doing now; but I will tackle the book, and see if I can’t get something out of it for the “Easy Chair.” But I mustn’t promise. Skrine seems all kinds of a good fellow.

February 2 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to ask Franklin G. Whitmore if his Players Club dues had been paid while he was in Europe [MTP].

The New York Times, p. 11, “Notes of the Stage” announced that the Children’s Theatre was preparing to open at Carnegie Lyceum on Feb. 8 with a matinee of Mark Twain’s story in the Christmas Harper’s, of the little girl and the Lord General.

February 1 Saturday – In Hartford Sam went to the bank for some necessary items in his safety deposit box. He likely called on Franklin G. Whitmore as well. After a 24 hour trip, he returned to New York and arrived back in Riverdale at 7:15 p.m. [Jan. 29, Feb. 2 to Whitmore; Jan. 31 to Rogers].

February – Sometime after Sam’s 24 hour stay with Joe Twichell, he wrote his reactions to the loaned copy of Freedom of Will :

January 31 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to William Webster Ellsworth (incoming not extant).

When money is taken for the performance I don’t take part, except in a private house, —in New York City. I’ve played to money in private houses once or twice, & hope for other chances of the like, but I’ve declined every one of the other kind, & find it a good & wise rule.

January 30 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to A. Schönstadt, editor of Das Morgen -Journal, N.Y.C. that he had no photo of himself now, but would instruct Rockwood Photographers to send one [MTP].

According to Sam’s Jan. 31 to his nephew, Sam went into N.Y.C. this day and called on the Harpers.

January 29 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to the Jan. 19 of Alletta F. Dean: “Don’t you give away that oesophagus away again, or I’ll never trust you with another privacy!” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to attorney Augustus T. Gurlitz, about the trial against Butler Brothers. “…don’t put the matter before me till a day before the trial—I should forget every detail, otherwise” [MTP: Sotheby’s catalogs, Dec. 11, 1990, Item 384].

January 28 Tuesday – In the evening in N.Y.C. Sam spoke to John D. Rockefeller’s young men’s Bible class. He’d been invited on Dec. 10, 1901. The New York Times, p. 9 reported on the event.

MR. ROCKEFELLER’S CLASS.

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Bible Students Addressed by Mark Twain and Robert C. Ogden.