July 19 Saturday – Speaker Magazine, p. 441-2 , ran a review of “A Double Barrelled Detective Story.” Tenney: “Chiefly descriptive: ‘…shows Mark Twain’s weaknesses as well as his strengths, but at its worst is a story that ought not to be missed’” [Tenney: “A Reference Guide Third Annual Supplement,” American Literary Realism, Autumn 1979 p. 187].
July 18 Friday – In York Harbor, Sam wrote to an unidentified person. The Camperdown Chronicle of Victoria, Australia, p.5, carried this article, which contains Sam’s reply to a gentleman who had discovered a library in Venice, Italy containing thousands of books yet only one in English, LM.
July 17 Thursday — Harper & Brothers, sent a royalty statement to Mrs. Clemens totaling $5,358.24 due on Nov. 1, 1902 [MTP]. Sam wrote on the env. “Statement to July ’02. (not including sets) $5,400. Preserve”; this was mailed July 17 but dated June 30.
July 16 Wednesday – In York Harbor, Maine Sam wrote to Isaac Kaufmann Funk (1839-1912), Lutheran minister, editor, lexicographer, publisher and founder of Funk & Wagnalls, Co. in 1890. “Maybe you let a body have a cloth copy for less than $10 when the applicant demands canvasser’s-commission-off. / But I want the book, anyway, if you recommend it” [MTP]. Note: The Standard Dictionary of the English Language published in 1893 was perhaps Funk’s most important work.
July 15 Tuesday – In York Harbor, Maine, Sam’s notebook contains ideas/memory snippets for the 50 years after story: “The long ash on the cigar proves that there had been no struggle. / Aunt Betsy Smith, a dear old thing. Nigger show. / Our masterless ‘boy’s dog’” [NB 45 TS 22].
July 14 Monday – In York Harbor, Maine, Sam’s notebook contains more ideas/memory snippets for the 50 years after story : “The Hyde ruffians with their uncle down. / Mrs. Mann murderess / Haunted house—same as in Va. City. We are all assembled as ghosts when a new one arrives whom we had not counted on, for some reason. He frightens us to death & himself. ‘You to play ghost—you ain’t got judgment enough to play a live person” [NB 45 TS 22].
July 13 Sunday – In York Harbor, Maine Sam wrote to Charles Bancroft Dillingham, who represented theatrical managers Klaw and Erlanger. On July 27 Sam would approve Lee Arthur’s play of HF, a musical comedy [NB 45 TS 22].
A thousand thanks for remembering!
I’m going to send your cane the minute Mrs. Clemens (who is not very well this last day or two) prepares it & labels it for the express.
July 12 Saturday – Sam’s notebook contains more ideas/memories for the 50 years after story: “Boy hatched bird’s eggs in his mouth. Put it on Tom. Clock-machine to blow up something. / Nicodemus. / doughface, but scare no one mad. / Ghost on the stairs—mine. Walking in sleep—in sheet. / Shroud was used, then” [NB 45 TS 21].
July 11 Friday – In York Harbor, Maine Sam wrote to H.H. Rogers.
July (?) Friday (?) 11th (?) ’02
Dear Mr. Rogers:
July 10 Thursday – In York Harbor, Maine, Sam’s notebook again lists old Hannibal acquaintances for the 50 years after story: “John Briggs, Will, Sam, Bart, John Bowen | Ed Stevens, Bill Coffman | George, Clay, John Robards Jane & Sally Robards. Ray Moss & Neil, Mary. | Artemissa Briggs Mary Miller, Laura Hawkins | Becky Pavey & Pole / ‘Pig-tail done’ tavern | Bladder-time. Weeds. / Offal given away at porkhouse” [NB 45 TS 21].