August 3, 1877 Friday 

August 3 Friday  Sam had returned to Elmira, where he wrote George Bentley, publisher of Temple Bar, enclosing the first of the series of four articles of the Bermuda travelogue for simultaneous publication. If Bentley did not want the articles, Sam asked that they might be sent to Andrew Chatto for “one of his two magazines…” [MTLE 2: 117].

August 2, 1877 Thursday

August 2 Thursday –Sam returned to the Hartford house, probably to wrap up issues connected with security and to check with the police.

In Conanicut, R.I., Howells wrote that the last installment of “Some Rambling Notes” was “first-rate.”  Howells had received Sam’s invitation to Ah Sin, but did not go.

August 1, 1877 Wednesday 

August 1 Wednesday  Sam met with Andrew Chatto at the Lotos Club [MTLE 2: 124] In a letter of Aug. 3 to Howells, Sam said he saw the first two performances of Ah Sin, but “came away” after that, which would suggest Sam left New York on Aug. 2 [119].

July 31, 1877 Tuesday

July 31 Tuesday – The play Ah Sin was presented by Augustin Daly and opened at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, NYC. The cast of main characters included: Miss Dora Goldthwaite as SHIREY TEMPEST, Miss Mary Wells as MRS. TEMPEST, Mrs. G.H. Gilbert as MRS. PLUNKETT, Miss Edith Blande as CAROLINE ANASTASIA PLUNKETT, and Mr.

July 29, 1877 Sunday

July 29 Sunday – Livy wrote to Sam [LLMT 203-4] receiving two letters from him, because he offered no excuse for the delay in writing save the hours he’d spent and:

“…worked like a dog through this blistering weather & come home, whether early or late with the feeling that I couldn’t write”

Livy cautioned him not to talk against Harte, who Sam wrote had not “put in an appearance” [MTLE 2: 112].

July 28, 1877 Saturday 

July 28 Saturday  “Mark Twain’s Hotel” ran in the Downieville, California Mountain Messenger, and Fatout attributes it to Sam, possibly an “Enterprise refugee.”

None but the brave deserve the fare. Persons owing bills for board will be bored for bills. Sheets will be nightly changed, once in six months, or more if necessary. Beds with or without bugs [Fatout, MT Speaks 102].

July 27, 1877 Friday

July 27 Friday  Sam wrote from New York to Livy, mostly about the rehearsals for Ah Sin and his optimism about the play. He added:

“I am very much obliged to your for marrying me, & I love you, love you, love you!” [MTLE 2: 110].

Stephen Fiske of Daly’s Fifth Ave. Theater wrote:

July 26, 1877 Thursday

July 26 Thursday – Frank Fuller wrote to Sam: “You must go to the sea side with me today or tomorrow or someday & be saved by good things…. I’ve been awful sick & haven’t had strength to frame a suitable letter to Woodruff yet, but I will”[MTP].

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