Day By Day Dates

May 21 Tuesday – At the Hotel Vendome in Boston, William Dean Howells wrote a short note to Sam, enclosing a letter from Thomas S. Perry, who had taught at Harvard and was a regular reviewer of French and German books for the Atlantic under Howells. Perry’s letter related his and his wife’s time traveling through Italy and enjoying Innocents Abroad. Perry expressed his desire to write a serious article on Mark Twain.

May 22 Wednesday – Sam gave a reading at Hartford’s Unity Hall, part of a benefit for the Talcott Street Church (“colored”), which was raising money for an organ. Sam included, “Skinned Man,” “Mate and Governor Gardiner,” “Whistling,” and “Interviewer” [Fatout, MT Speaking 659; MTNJ 3: 473].

May 23 Thursday – Daniel Whitford for Alexander & Green wrote to Sam, advising that “The contract has been executed by Mrs. Richardson and Mr. Frohman and in accordance with your instructions placed in the office safe” [MTP].

May 24 Friday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a long letter of celebration to Walt Whitman for his impending 70th birthday (May 31). The letter (part of Camden’s Compliment to Walt Whitman: May 31, 1889) reflects Sam’s belief in the fallacy of man’s perfectibility as witnessed by the many inventions and breakthroughs Whitman had witnessed in his life. Wait for another 30 years, Sam wrote and Whitman would see “Man at almost his full stature at last!” [MTP].

May 25 Saturday – A.B. Starey for Author’s Club sent a form letter to Sam that “the regular fortnightly meetings of the AUTHORS CLUB have been suspended for Summer recess” [MTP].

F.P. Chapin wrote from N.Y. to Sam that he would be in Hartford on Wednesday to see the Thorne typesetter at the Post Office. “I am told you are interested in a new one, for which orders are claimed, if so will you kindly inform me promptly” [MTP].

May 27 Monday – This was the date planned for Samuel Moffett’s visit (see May 16 to Moffett). It was also the day that Dora and Candace Wheeler and their friend Mr. Keith were to end their stay at the Clemens house.

Kingsland Smith of the St. Paul Roller Mill Co. wrote to ask Sam for his autograph for his sister [MTP].

May 28 Tuesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a humorous episode for Susan L. Crane pass on to her husband, Theodore Crane about Joe Twichell, who would always be oblivious when passing acquaintances on the street.

Twice in a week, our Clara had this latter experience with him within the past month. But the second instance was too much for her, and she woke him up…with a reproach. She said: —

May 29 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook reveals what was probably another quick trip to New York City:

Wed. 29th. Train leaves at 5.10. Diner at 6. Return train at 10 [3: 489].

May 30 Thursday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a one-liner to Richard Watson Gilder of Century Magazine:

All right; I’ll tackle it in a month hence, when we shall be out of this turmoil & in the summer nest [MTP]. Note: part, if not most, of the “turmoil” had to do with houseguests — the Wheelers and Mr. Keith left on May 27, the same day Samuel and Mary Moffett were to arrive.

May 31 Friday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Miss Mary (unknown) declining to “respond in the body.”

I have reached the time of life when one has nothing to do & cannot get any time to do it in; & so I am obliged to stick close at home & seize every opportunity that offers. This does not accomplish anything, but it keeps one’s conscience easy [MTP].

June – While preparing to leave for Elmira, Sam entered in his notebook The Beginnings of New England; or, The Puritan Theocracy by John Fiske (1889) [3: 495; Gribben 232].

June 1 Saturday – An earlier entry in Sam’s notebook gives this as the date for Julia Langdon’s high school graduation. The oldest daughter of Charles Langdon, “Julie” had been chosen valedictorian. Sam and Susy Clemens were invited to attend; Sam wrote, “Best weather. / Bad weather up to 6” [MTNJ 3: 470n221]. Thus he and Susy may have made the trip to Elmira, weather permitting, though no further record of such a trip was found.

June 3 Monday – Cecil Kingstone wrote to Sam asking if he had any objection or held “any legal power to prevent” him from writing a play based on TA [MTP].

Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam  (financial statement encl.) “Which shows a pretty fair month” with books sent out totaling 5,302, Sheridan’s two volumes in the lead with 535 and 543 each [MTP].

June 4 Tuesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote John C. Kinney, editor of the Courant, declining an invitation as he was “already engaged for the Yale festivities at New Haven for that afternoon & evening” [MTP]. Note: the Yale event was an annual alumni banquet Sam would speak at on June 26, 1889.

June 5 Wednesday – Frederick J. Hall wrote to Sam, advising they’d sent the “Cook Book as ordered to Mrs. Moffatt” and laying the matter of a book by Matthew Brady to him for consideration. The book would be “a National Portrait Gallery embracing the Presidents, Judges of the Supreme Court, Cabinet Officers and principal members of the different Senates and Congress, from George Washington down,” and would sell from $15 to $20, bound in morocco [MTP].

June 8 Saturday – Clara Clemens’ fifteenth birthday.

June 10 Monday –The Hartford Courant, p.8 under “City Personals,” reported: “Mr. S.L. Clemens and family leave this week for their summer home in Elmira.”

June 11 Tuesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote a short note to George Washington Cable, who evidently had asked for copies of a pamphlet Sam used to have, Samuel Watson Royston’s short novel, The Enemy Conquered, or Love Triumphant. “They are lost!” Sam responded, “I have searched everywhere & cannot find a vestige of that pamphlet.” He closed “in haste” as they were “just leaving for Elmira” [MTP; Gribben 593; MTNJ 3: 490n29].

June 12 Wednesday – The Clemens family usually spent a day or two in New York on their way to Elmira.

Orion Clemens wrote to Sam trying to repay him for his kindness by giving him a drawing for “an improved fixture for ringing a door-bell.” He wished they would all come for a visit [MTP]. Note: Orion repeatedly expressed his thanks and desire to repay Sam in some way.

June 13 Thursday – The Clemens family arrived at Quarry Farm [July 1 to Pamela]. As he later wrote, “death is on the threshold” — Theodore Crane was nearing the end of his life.

June 14 Friday – Henry M. Alden for Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam. Alden had just returned from vacation and had a letter from Mr. Warner about Sam’s article on that “old medical book.” Warner had quoted Sam’s price to be $50 per 800 words, which was fine if they liked the article. He asked Sam to send it [MTP].

June 15 Saturday – In Elmira †, Sam wrote a short note to Franklin G. Whitmore in Hartford, advising that he would have all the money needed on July 1. He instructed that the Bissell bank account be allowed to

…overrun a trifle. But if they make any objections let me know & I will get a note discounted that falls due July 8, & forward fill up the tank [MTP].

June 16 Sunday – W. Delancey Howe wrote from Cambridge, Mass. Commenting on Sam’s Apr. 1887 article, “English As She Is Taught.” Howe claimed to be the author of the composition “Girls” mentioned in Sam’s article, and was curious how Sam got hold of his composition. Howe wrote he hoped to “call upon you for a recommendation in English for Harvard College” [MTP].

June 17 Monday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Anna Laurens Dawes, a Washington correspondent from Pittsfield Mass. and daughter of Henry L. Dawes, senator of Mass. Sam gave a reading for her young ladies’ club in 1885. (See Mar. 1, 1885, Sept. 23, 1885). Sam thanked Miss Dawes.

June 18 Tuesday – In Elmira Sam wrote to Henry M. Stanley, anxious to stay in contact for a possible book to publish. Sam was feeling a financial pinch more than ever and he made a friendly plug for Webster & Co.

Goodness only knows where you are at this date, but working courageously toward the end of your amazing trip; according to latest rumors — & may you arrive!….we hope you will give us a chance at your account of this great journey before you close with any other American firm [MTP].