November 6 Sunday ca. – Sam wrote from Hartford to James R. Osgood on Webster’s Nov. 5 letter about making fine brass casts. Sam admitted:
“The patterns for my book cover were coarse & awkward because they were done in such a hurry” [MTP].
November 5 Saturday – Charles Webster wrote to Sam about failed brass castings made by Adams [MTP].
November 4–6 Sunday – Sam returned to Hartford during this period.
November 3 Thursday – Sam traveled to Boston as planned and conferred with Osgood. He probably dined with Aldrich and Howells in the evening (see Nov. 2 entries). It is not known what day he returned to Hartford.
Harper & Bros., per William L. Alden wrote to solicit submissions from Twain [MTP].
November 2 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Thomas B. Aldrich about a check received for an article. Sam knew he’d written it since he’d received a check for it; if Aldrich had “any other articles” he didn’t “wish to be responsible for,” Sam wrote, “remember I am here.” Sam announced he would:
“…arrive in Boston about 4 to-morrow afternoon. Let’s dine with Osgood—what do you say? Invite Howells—better telegraph him, perhaps” [MTP].
November 1 Tuesday – Sam wrote to James R. Osgood, offering advice as to how to best use Howells’ review of P&P with canvassing. He also dealt with submitting the “Mental Telegraphy” article to the Century, and details about printing in Canada [MTLTP 145].
November – The Century Magazine for November ran Sam’s sketch, “A Curious Experience,” later part of The Stolen White Elephant [Camfield, bibliog.].
Sam’s notebook includes mention of Canadian naturalist and geologist Henry George Vennor (1840-1884) [MTNJ 2: 407, 411]. Sam joked about Farquhar Martin Tupper and his bromides [408].
October 31 Monday – In Hartford, Sam wrote again to James R. Osgood, to coordinate when he needed to go to Canada. Osgood had written that the book could be set up in 48 hours there, so was no need to set it up in Boston. Sam could leave the evening or morning of Nov. 27, but since that was Livy’s birthday, he didn’t want to go the day before, as perhaps Osgood had suggested.
October 30 Sunday – Orion began a letter he finished on Oct. 31. He was glad Sam liked the papers he sent and was delighted with the photographs Sam sent, the “three children are beautiful…” Other family and acquaintance doings [MTP].
October 29 Saturday – In Washington, Kate D. Barstow wrote Sam thanks for sending money:
Dear Sam / Letter and check rec’d. Thanks!
If I did not acknowledge receipt of the check for $25 before – permit me to do so now—and pardon the mission. / Shall confine myself strictly to business henceforth.
Yours Gratefully, K.D. Barstow / 622 B St. S.E. [MTP].