June 19 Thursday – Riverdale, N.Y.: Sam’s notebook: “Dr. Rice, George Ade to dinner” [NB 45 TS19].
Livy’s diary: “Dr Rice, Mr George Ade (author of Fables in Slang) & Rodman Gilder here for luncheon” [MTP: DV161]. Note: Fables in Slang (1899) [Gribben 9].
Sam wrote to Paul Kester in Accotink, Va. (only the envelope survives) [MTP]. Note: Kester had struck an agreement with Clemens to dramatize Tom Sawyer.
June 18 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook contained more Hannibal memories for the 50 years after story: “The gang’s meeting-sign, its badge (skull, &c) stuck up (TS.G.) around. This must be the summons (with date & nothing more) 50 yrs hence. / The overflow—back-water in Bear creek—water moccasins in the trees on the clothes” [NB 45 TS19].
June 17 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to W.H. Dulany, who had sent news clippings, biographical details, and a photo he had taken of Sam in Hannibal. Sam’s replied:
The views have arrived & are exceedingly fine & beautiful. Pray accept my best thanks for them.
My trip to the West was no tax upon my strength, & was an abounding delight. I’ve renewed my youth in Hannibal—all but the hair—& I would not trade those days for any others I have seen in a quarter of a century [MTP; Sorrentino 40].
June 16 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Harper’s. Booksellers’ informal reception. 4 p.m. (Say 4.30?) / 10.30 a.m. documents to sign” [NB 45 TS19]. Also: “1 man had old vol of cyclopedia, other had another. Each an expert on his letter” [ibid.]. Note: this last a story idea?
Sam was present at Harper & Brothers when the members of the American Booksellers’ Association visited Harpers and joined in a luncheon. The New York Times, p.9, June 17, took note of the gathering:
June 15 Sunday – Sam’s notebook listed more snippets of boyhood memories/ideas for the 50 years after story: “ ‘Haunting’ a house—like Va City—so we can use it for Gang headquarters. / Sign on it T.S.’ s Gang. / Pic-nic—name the girls. / Candy-pull & Jim Wolf. / Eat’m guts & all. 50 yr after. / The mossy marbles rest / On the lips that we have pressed / In their bloom / And the names we loved to hear / Have been carved for many a year / On their tomb” [NB 45 TS 18].
June 14 Saturday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam and Livy replied to Franklin G. Whitmore’s June 13, principally about the sale of the Farmington Ave. house, which had not yet sold but was actively being shown. Livy added that “of course you will not get your price $75,000,” but she’d hoped he might get $60,000. Sam announced they were breaking up housekeeping getting ready for a June 23 move to York Harbor, Maine [MTP].
June 13 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Dr. James Ross Clemens in St. Louis, asking specifics on gout treatment for Livy:
Can Mrs. Clemens take her usual 5 p.m. tea (to whom she is a slave) on condition that she drink a glass of hot water an hour before or after it?
She eats cream wheat for breakfast. Can she continue that?
She never eats bacon.
Can she eat fruits in their season?
We leave here June 23d for our summer home which is York Harbor, Maine.
June 12 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to Minnie Dawson of Hannibal, daughter of his old schoolteacher, J.D. Dawson.
“I thank you for the Mississippi pearl, which is beautiful & does the river great honor. Always when I have claimed that we used to get pearls out of the mussels, my family have doubted me; but by grace of your evidence my character stands better now” [MTP].
Sam also wrote to C. Edwin Hutchings.
June 11 Wednesday – Paul Kester wrote to Sam from Accotink, Va. Kester had heard that Charles Frohman no longer controlled the dramatic rights for TS; Kester had made such a play—would Sam allow him to place it elsewhere? [MTP].
June 10 Tuesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to James R. Clemens in St. Louis.
I arrived unfatigued at 6 p.m yesterday, 30 hours out from St Louis.
I am enclosing $25, & you must tell me if I owe more. It may be that you paid for the ticket they gave me at Litchfield—in which case I owe you for that.