December 11, 1870 Sunday 

December 11 Sunday  Sam wrote an obituary for Reuel Colt Gridley to the editor of the New York TribuneGridley was a Hannibal schoolmate, and the man who carried the “Sanitary flour sack” in Austin, Nevada. Gridley died on Nov. 24 [MTL 4: 270-1]. His obituary appeared in the Tribune on Dec. 13.

December 9, 1870 Friday

December 9 Friday  Sam received two telegrams from Sheldon & Co., agreeing to publish his pamphlet and split the profits, or offer a 15% royalty as an alternative. A letter followed the same day detailing the agreement. Sam chose the royalty. Probably on this night Sam left for New York [MTL 4: 268-9].

December 7 or 8, 1870 Thursday 

December 7 or 8 Thursday  Sam was putting more literary irons in the fire. He telegraphed Isaac E. Sheldon & Co., publishers of Galaxy magazine. Sam had previously wanted Sheldon to publish a collection of his sketches, but Bliss had objected. Sam now suggested a pamphlet, not a book, for the Christmas Galaxy edition, a way around his contract with Bliss [MTL 4: 268].

December 6, 1870 Tuesday

December 6 Tuesday  John Henry Riley wrote from Wash DC, wanting to “come and have a chat” with Twain, and would try to get a leave of absence. “Look for me at the Mansion House on Thursday or Friday night—to return on Monday next” [MTP].

December 5, 1870 Monday 

December 5 Monday – Elisha Bliss telegrammed to Sam: “All right go ahead will write tomorrow” [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env. “Bliss’s telegram agreeing to 8 ½ pc & advance of $2,500 if demanded on African copyright / This received Dec. 6, 1870.”

John Henry Riley telegrammed Clemens: “Long letter rec’d Plan approved Will get ready to go” [MTL 4: 266n10]. Note: Sam rec’d it on Dec. 6.

December 3, 1870 Saturday

December 3 Saturday  Sam’s article, “An Entertaining Article,” which also appeared in the December edition of the Galaxy, was re-printed in the Buffalo Express [McCullough 262]. The paper also ran a poem titled “Three Aces” over the pseudonym “Carl Byng.” When the poem was called Sam’s “weak imitation of Bret Harte,” it caused Sam some grief. (See Jan. 15, 1871 entry.)

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