May 14 Tuesday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Frank Bliss, including his May 4 to George B. Harvey and Harvey’s reply of the same date: “This is Col. Harvey’s reply. I will ask about the Californian’s Tale—otherwise you must leave it out, for I don’t want it in the book before it appears in the magazines” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote “The Californian’s Tale” in late summer, 1892; the germ of the story was his stay at Angel’s Camp in 1864-5.

May 13 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Story of the Coward who did one stupendously brave deed—& then had to go on all his life in like manner to live up to his reputation. His monument ‘To the Bravest of the Brave’ moves his old friend to reveal his secret to me a stranger. / Satan says, ‘Proud of being a King? Why? He was born to it—he didn’t earn it. Why not be proud of being a coward—it is a talent due wholly to birth’ Put into this Satan’s mouth all that was to have been put into the other Satan’s” [NB 44 TS 10].

May 11 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “See Jan. 7 . Will send carriage 1.45 the Sherman, 159 W. 48th. Dr. Elizabeth Jarrett. Normal College Chapel along aobut 3—68th & Park Ave. Read or talk. German Lesson” [NB 44 TS 10].

Mark Twain spoke at Normal College (renamed in 1914 Hunter College , after its founder Thomas Hunter) and spoke to 1,500 alumni of the school. The New York Times, May 12, p.21 reported his talk:

May 10 Friday – At Princeton University, Sam made a few remarks at the Harvard-Princeton debate [Fatout, MT Speaking 669].

May 9 Thursday – Sam’s notebook: “Read in Princeton. See Jan. 7. Evening. I read: Watermelon/ Dead Man—sash / Mexican Plug / Old Ram / German Lesson” [NB 44 TS 10]. Note: Sam compared with Jan. 7 readings at H.H. Rogers.

Sam wrote a postcard to Dr. Elizabeth Jarrett: “I shall be ready at 1.45./ Very Truly Yours / SL Clemens” [eBay Mar. 16, 2006, Item 6612597385; Valley Auctions 15 Apr. 2007, Lot 792].

May 8 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “Dora [Wheeler] Keith the whole day” [NB 44 TS 10].

At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to Laurence Hutton in Princeton, N.J.. to announce he was “coming down all alone per 3.55 train to-morrow. The rest of the tribe have to stay here” [MTP].

Hiram Stevens Maxim wrote from London to Sam having received his letter of Apr. 26 (not extant).

May 7 Tuesday – Sam’s notebook: “Trains leave foot 23d / 10.55 a.m. / 12.55 p.m. / 1.25 / 2.10 / 3.55 p.m. Princeton direct. / Photograph—10.30” [NB 44 TS 10].

Possibly on this day Sam also wrote on a calling card to Dr. Elizabeth Jarrett: “Admit the bearer at any hour in the 24 / SL Clemens” [eBay Mar. 16, 2006, Item 6612597385].

Barbara Mullen wrote to Sam inviting him to speak at her high school. Mullen’s letter is not extant but it is referred to in Sam’s May 20 reply.

May 6 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “The Osbornes 7.30 850 Madison ave / Ask about gravestones. Sail Sunday 12, or Monday? Invite Twichell & Harvey? Or Corey? Harry Harper proposition” [NB 44 TS 10].

May 4 Saturday – At 1410 W. 10th in N.Y.C., Sam wrote to George B. Harvey. Clemens wanted to include his story “The Death Wafer” to the next volume by Bliss for his collected works. This was “a short story which I think a great deal of, and which I wish to print in the Xmas Harper.” Would it be acceptable for Bliss to print and bind the new volume between now and Christmas, “provided he did not issue a copy before the Xmas Harper was out?” [MTP].

May 3 Friday – Sam’s notebook—an appointment and a story idea?: “L. Returns. Harry Harper—3 p.m. | Death by an explosion foretold. Look sharp on a certain date. If you must go out, go straight ahead—turn to the right if you choose, but never to the left. He is headed off from the right once, by a steam fire engine & is chased down to the left. Believes the boiler will explode. At the right moment, dynamite, intended for another, falls at his feet & kills him” [NB 44 TS 9]. Note: Livy returned from Baltimore.