May 7 Saturday – In Hartford Sam again wrote to Edward H. House, acknowledging that House could ship his wheelchair by Adams Express and as to the trunks, he and Koto should “do whatever will be most satisfactory & convenient…”
I’m to be away the 17th & back the 18th — that is, if you arrive on the 16th; but if you are to arrive on the 17th, I will cancel my engagement & remain at home.
May 6 Friday – Edward H. House wrote to Sam about his upcoming visit [May 7 to House]. Note: This is another case of a letter to Sam being assigned the same date as his response, this time from New York to Hartford and return.
May 5 Thursday – In Hartford Sam answered Orion’s Apr. 27 and/or May 2 letter. He told his brother to “just peg along” on the research on English kings for the memory game. Orion was recovering from swallowing ammonia water thought to be cold medicine. Sam asked him not to send MS — there was too much company and he always had “a raft of things to do,” so that he would “naturally shirk everything that will stand shirking.” Sam confided, “that thief” (Frank M.
May 4 Wednesday – Vaughn E. Wyman wrote from Perry, Ohio asking how Sam got his pen name, and did he know of Miss Edith Thomas’ works; Wyman had a high regard for Poe’s works but did not think “him equal to Mr. Howells.” Sam wrote on the envelope, “Dam fool. No Answer” [MTP]. Note: Edith Matilda Thomas (1854-1925).
May 3 Tuesday –
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3676 Western Union Telegraph Co 8.84
3677 Mr Charles Burghorst 80.00
May 2 Monday – Orion Clemens wrote a note to Sam that his $155 check was received [MTP].
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3672 Mssrs McCarty & Cleary 92.68
3673 Mr J.S. Chase, Secy 27.50
3674 Mr. James L. Whitman 7.19
3675 Hartford Silver Plate Co 1.75
May 1 Sunday – John Henry Boner wrote to Sam, thanking him for his “kind letter of April the 1st”; Boner had found employement as a proofreader with Theodore L. De Vinne, printer to the Century Co., and Edmund Stedman “made me feel his house my home.” Sam wrote on the env., “Boner the Southern poet” [MTP].
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
May – Correspondence between Clemens and Howells substantially lessened during the year. Sam’s preoccupation with all aspects of business and several speaking engagements, together with Howells’ new duties for “The Editor’s Study” in Harper’s Monthly, and his increasing activism in such matters as the Haymarket fiasco may explain this change.
April 30 Saturday – Sam and Livy were at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. In the afternoon Sam accompanied a reviewing party to review the corps of cadets, and forgot to throw away his cigar before taking his place in the staff line. In the evening Sam gave his promised lecture. From Leon: