September 24 Monday – The Clemens family left Elmira in the afternoon for the ten-hour train trip to New York City, which would have put them there late in the evening. They checked into the Murray Hill Hotel, where Sam wrote Whitmore on Wednesday (Sept. 22 and Sept. 26 to Whitmore).
Sam’s notebook entry with calculations of amounts owed for their summer stay for check #:
September 23 Sunday – Sam noted on the Boston book importer Carl Schoenhof’s July 28 postcard concerning his order of German anthologies, “Hasn’t come yet (Sept. 23)”
September 22 Saturday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore and confirmed that the family would “start for New York Monday afternoon.” He was sending home a hat trunk that would get to Hartford before they did and since there was nothing in it but Livy’s things, it could remain unopened [MTP].
September 21 Friday – Sam’s notebook: [Chk #] 4322, Sep.21 $100 — JL & Co. [3: 477].
Kingsland Smith for St. Paul Roller Mill Co. wrote to Sam that he’d received his Sept. 1 letter asking to sell his 100 shares of stock, but his “means were so tied up” [MTP].
September 20 Thursday – In Elmira Sam answered Sarah Knowles Bolton’s letter of Sept. 17, saying that subscription books received “various kinds” of royalties, but “not often 10%. Five per cent is good enough” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore sending some sort of typesetter statistics, and liked Whitmore’s suggestion to make one Rogers a watchman for the Paige machine. He advised,
September 19 Wednesday – In Elmira Sam wrote a short note to Orion. He’d sent some woman $100 not knowing who she was — perhaps someone Orion knew. Note: see below & also Sept. 26 — this was Ella Trabue Smith, Sam’s second cousin.
Theodore is doing fairly, but not more than that. Sue is rather discouraged today [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: [Chk #] 4315, Sep.19 $100 Mrs.Ellen [Ella] Trabue Smith [3: 477]. (See Sept. 26)
September 18 Tuesday – Webster & Co. Sent Sam two letters, from and to a Mr. J.O. Ashenhurst, who wrote like an old school buddy from Cairo, Egypt. “Some unknown friend” Sam noted [MTP].
Park & Tilford, N.Y. Grocers billed & receipted $6.05 for: Oolong 5.40 ; misc charges .25, .40 COD [MTP] Note: the extra charges reflect shipment to Elmira.
September 17 Monday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Andrew Chatto, having received his notes and statement for his English royalties. He was mistaken about the Library of Humor being popular in England, he wrote. “I shan’t meddle any more in that direction.” As for CY, Sam wrote he got a late start on it in Elmira and would try to finish the last third of it by spring [MTP].
September 16 Sunday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Orion Clemens, explaining his changed plans, which originally included five days spent with the family in Keokuk; ultimately he had to cancel the trip.
Of course I could not leave Sue & Livy to take care of him by themselves on this remote hilltop; so I telegraphed Chicago & canceled my engagement.
Give my love to Ma & Mollie & express my disappointment, which is very great.
September 15 Saturday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Baroness Alexandra Gripenberg:
The “Century” folk & I are in a state of armed neutrality just now, & I might do you but small good if I sent you to them; but Mrs. Clemens suggests an introduction to Mr. Alden, editor of “Harper’s Magazine,” & the idea strikes me as being good — & in fact there is no choice between the two magazines, since they stand equally high; so I enclose a note to Alden [Moyne 373].