February 3 Monday – In. N.Y.C. William Dean Howells wrote to Sam.

I have Mr. Skrine’s book; but I am switched off from my North American Reviewing to paragraphing and article letting for the Weekly, and I don’t know what to do for your friend. I can’t write any more than I’m doing now; but I will tackle the book, and see if I can’t get something out of it for the “Easy Chair.” But I mustn’t promise. Skrine seems all kinds of a good fellow.

February 2 Sunday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to ask Franklin G. Whitmore if his Players Club dues had been paid while he was in Europe [MTP].

The New York Times, p. 11, “Notes of the Stage” announced that the Children’s Theatre was preparing to open at Carnegie Lyceum on Feb. 8 with a matinee of Mark Twain’s story in the Christmas Harper’s, of the little girl and the Lord General.

February 1 Saturday – In Hartford Sam went to the bank for some necessary items in his safety deposit box. He likely called on Franklin G. Whitmore as well. After a 24 hour trip, he returned to New York and arrived back in Riverdale at 7:15 p.m. [Jan. 29, Feb. 2 to Whitmore; Jan. 31 to Rogers].

February – Sometime after Sam’s 24 hour stay with Joe Twichell, he wrote his reactions to the loaned copy of Freedom of Will :

January 31 Friday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to William Webster Ellsworth (incoming not extant).

When money is taken for the performance I don’t take part, except in a private house, —in New York City. I’ve played to money in private houses once or twice, & hope for other chances of the like, but I’ve declined every one of the other kind, & find it a good & wise rule.

January 30 Thursday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam wrote to A. Schönstadt, editor of Das Morgen -Journal, N.Y.C. that he had no photo of himself now, but would instruct Rockwood Photographers to send one [MTP].

According to Sam’s Jan. 31 to his nephew, Sam went into N.Y.C. this day and called on the Harpers.

January 29 Wednesday – In Riverdale, N.Y. Sam replied to the Jan. 19 of Alletta F. Dean: “Don’t you give away that oesophagus away again, or I’ll never trust you with another privacy!” [MTP].

Sam also wrote to attorney Augustus T. Gurlitz, about the trial against Butler Brothers. “…don’t put the matter before me till a day before the trial—I should forget every detail, otherwise” [MTP: Sotheby’s catalogs, Dec. 11, 1990, Item 384].

January 28 Tuesday – In the evening in N.Y.C. Sam spoke to John D. Rockefeller’s young men’s Bible class. He’d been invited on Dec. 10, 1901. The New York Times, p. 9 reported on the event.

MR. ROCKEFELLER’S CLASS.

———

Bible Students Addressed by Mark Twain and Robert C. Ogden.

January 27 Monday – The Clemenses had planned to return to Riverdale by this day, and in his Jan. 29 to Wood, Sam wrote he “just returned.” Given his evening talk in N.Y.C. on Jan. 28, it’s not likely he spoke on a travel day, so this is the likeliest day for their return.

Franklin G. Whitmore wrote for Sam to Mrs. A.W. Smith of Middletown, Conn. Only the envelope survives [MTP].

January 25 Saturday – In Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote to Franklin G. Whitmore, directing him to “pay the damned assessment,” and that he would try to remember to put the $150 check in the envelope [MTP].

The New York Times, p. BR 13, “The King of Liars,” quoted from a series of interviews made by John Kendrick Bangs, “purported to be received over the telephone from Baron Munchausen,” and which included this dittie by Mark Twain: