November 15 Tuesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Webster & Co. He was still directing pieces in and out of the Library of Humor. Obtaining permission from the American Publishing Co. Was still on the menu, and Sam calculated that it should be asked for “one week before canvass begins,” so as to keep them from rushing “out a rival book ahead of us” [MTP].
November 14 Monday – Sydney M. Dickens wrote to Sam that he would “not be surprised to learn that she had caught the [autograph] fever,” and wrote that “nothing will cure me but your signature under a photograph” [MTP]. Note: Sydney was the granddaughter of the late Charles Dickens, daughter of Charles Culliford Boz Dickens. Sam wrote on the envelope, “Send photograph.”
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3903 J. Goldwaite 35.00
November 13 Sunday – Sam wrote to Webster & Co. (again, addressing the letter to “Dear CLW &Co” as he did during this period.) Addressing to the company may have reflected the fact that Charles Webster was often not at the office; if he’d addressed to Frederick J. Hall only, Webster may have taken umbrage.
November 11 Friday – From MTNJ 3: 346n145:
November 10 Thursday –
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3902 Mary Tryon Stone 5.00
November 8 Tuesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a short request to Frank B. Darby, his Elmira dentist. Sam wanted a “half dozen bottles of” Darby’s tooth powder [MTP]. The following check to the Glenham Hotel suggests an overnight trip to New York:
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3886 G Luern 3.30
3887 H.L. Oliver & Son 5.20
November 7 Monday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Hjalmar Boyesen, asking him to thank his “delightful friends” for the “fine photographs” sent. He had their New York address but not Col. Lilliehōōk’s [MTP]. Note: (See Oct. 21 & 24 entries.)
November 6 Sunday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a rather long, laborious, but increasingly humorous apology to Frances F. Cleveland (Mrs. Grover Cleveland). He’d accepted an invitation the night before to a Bridgeport, Conn. function. He then realized (or was told by Livy) that they were giving a dinner party on that date [MTP].
Sam also wrote to Richard Watson Gilder:
November 5 Saturday – Charles Culliford Boz Dickens (son of author) accepted the Clemenses offer to visit them with his family in Hartford on Nov. 10 [MTNJ 3: 341n125].
Sam’s notebook: Bal. Nov. 5, 10, 224.41 [MTNJ 3: 345].
November 4 Friday – Samuel S. McClure sent Sam a notice of the Associated Literary Press program for the Anniversary program sketches for the next five weeks. It was not too late for Sam to send a piece. Sam wrote on the envelope, “The 5th time this has come” [MTP].