June 9 Sunday – At Quarry Farm Sam wrote to James B. Pond, listing many, but not all, of the stops for the American leg of the reading tour. He didn’t think they needed a circular (one was made anyway, see Lorch, p.189) and saw it as an unnecessary expense [MTP].

Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore, glad that the William Wander “piano business is settled — & so well settled, too.” He also addressed the water bill paid up and supposed John Day had paid his share.

June 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens’ 21st birthday.

June 4 Tuesday – At Quarry Farm Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers.

Well, I am a pretty versatile fool, when it comes to contracts, and business and such things. I’ve signed a lot of contracts in my time; and at signing-time I probably knew what the contracts meant — but 6 months later everything had grown dim and I could be certain of only two things, to-wit: 1. I didn’t sign any contract; 2. The contract means the opposite of what it says.

June 3 Monday – At Quarry Farm, Dr. Theron Augustus Wales lanced Sam’s thigh carbuncle [June 4 to Rogers; MTHHR 165n1 identifies the doctor].

June 2 Sunday – At Quarry Farm Sam sent a short note to Franklin G. Whitmore, enclosing an envelope to assist him in finding the package of two “waists” for Livy made from worn out dresses. Sam noted the package would be addressed in the same way [MTP]. Note: Evidently, the package had gone astray.

June 1 Saturday – Arthur Reed Kimball’s article, “Hartford’s Literary Corner,” ran in Outlook, p.903-6, including pictures of Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and their homes; also a picture of Richard E. Burton. Kimball noted that Twain was considerably more than a jester [Tenney 24].

June – At Quarry Farm, Livy wrote to Chatto & Windus: “Your check for two thousand three hundred and nineteen dollars is safely rec’d. / Thanking you for it — and also for your kind wishes… ” [MTP].

May 31 Friday – The Boston Daily Globe, p.6. ran “MARK TWAIN’S KEEPER,” a good natured spoof about an imaginary interceptor of his invitations.

Isaac Answers His Invitations and Says Mr. Clemens is Sick.

Mark Twain once expressed a desire to attend the annual dinner of the Gridiron club of correspondents in Washington; but when an invitation was sent him, his regrets were received by return mail.

May 30 Thursday – At Quarry Farm Sam wrote to Henry M. Alden of Harper & Brothers:

May 27 Monday – The Clemens family moved from Elmira to Quarry Farm [May 26 to Rogers].