May 28 Tuesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a humorous episode for Susan L. Crane pass on to her husband, Theodore Crane about Joe Twichell, who would always be oblivious when passing acquaintances on the street.
Twice in a week, our Clara had this latter experience with him within the past month. But the second instance was too much for her, and she woke him up…with a reproach. She said: —
May 27 Monday – This was the date planned for Samuel Moffett’s visit (see May 16 to Moffett). It was also the day that Dora and Candace Wheeler and their friend Mr. Keith were to end their stay at the Clemens house.
Kingsland Smith of the St. Paul Roller Mill Co. wrote to ask Sam for his autograph for his sister [MTP].
May 25 Saturday – A.B. Starey for Author’s Club sent a form letter to Sam that “the regular fortnightly meetings of the AUTHORS CLUB have been suspended for Summer recess” [MTP].
F.P. Chapin wrote from N.Y. to Sam that he would be in Hartford on Wednesday to see the Thorne typesetter at the Post Office. “I am told you are interested in a new one, for which orders are claimed, if so will you kindly inform me promptly” [MTP].
May 24 Friday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a long letter of celebration to Walt Whitman for his impending 70th birthday (May 31). The letter (part of Camden’s Compliment to Walt Whitman: May 31, 1889) reflects Sam’s belief in the fallacy of man’s perfectibility as witnessed by the many inventions and breakthroughs Whitman had witnessed in his life. Wait for another 30 years, Sam wrote and Whitman would see “Man at almost his full stature at last!” [MTP].
May 23 Thursday – Daniel Whitford for Alexander & Green wrote to Sam, advising that “The contract has been executed by Mrs. Richardson and Mr. Frohman and in accordance with your instructions placed in the office safe” [MTP].
May 22 Wednesday – Sam gave a reading at Hartford’s Unity Hall, part of a benefit for the Talcott Street Church (“colored”), which was raising money for an organ. Sam included, “Skinned Man,” “Mate and Governor Gardiner,” “Whistling,” and “Interviewer” [Fatout, MT Speaking 659; MTNJ 3: 473].
May 21 Tuesday – At the Hotel Vendome in Boston, William Dean Howells wrote a short note to Sam, enclosing a letter from Thomas S. Perry, who had taught at Harvard and was a regular reviewer of French and German books for the Atlantic under Howells. Perry’s letter related his and his wife’s time traveling through Italy and enjoying Innocents Abroad. Perry expressed his desire to write a serious article on Mark Twain.
May 20 Monday – Edward P. Clark for N.Y. Evening Post wrote acknowledging Sam’s his letter of the 18th and check for $25 toward the Welch Memorial Fund [MTP].
Dean Sage wrote to Sam that he and Parsons would go and inspect the typesetter and if satisfactory would buy some stock in it. He also reported meeting Francis Hopkinson Smith Saturday night [MTP].
May 19 Sunday – The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, p.20, printed an interview, “Mark Twain Chatty: He Tells of His Former Life as a Reporter.” The interview is datelined May 17, but refers to Sam’s February trip to Washington.
May 18 Saturday – In Hartford Sam answered the May 11 letter from Edward P. Clark for N.Y. Evening Post, apologizing for the week delay.
Enclosed please find $25. I owe you a thousand apologies for my unpromptness in answering; but during the past ten days I have been in one of those whirlwinds of activity… [MTP]. Note: it was Sam’s habit to answer most mail he intended to answer promptly.