Day By Day Dates

April 12 Monday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Mary Mason Fairbanks and sent her comic characterizations (from Ch. 23 of Innocents Abroad) of several saints “by the old masters” [MTL 3: 190-2]. The Langdon’s dinner guests that night probably included Anna E. Dickinson (1842-1932), celebrated reformer [MTL 3: 192n2].

April 14 Wednesday – Elisha Bliss wrote to Sam.

Friend “Mark. T”

Yours recd. Glad the “picters” suit—Have got a pile more doing. The Spires are a full page cut & not yet done—will appear in due season. Shall have 16. full page cuts –– I like “Innocents abroad” & also “Crusade of the Innocents” both are good. Keep up a d—l of a thinking & may-be (it is about time for them) you will get something better if not either will do.—

April 15 Thursday – In Elmira Sam wrote again to Elisha Bliss.

“It is a readable book, I know—because I wrote it myself” [MTL 3: 194].

He also wrote to Mary Mason Fairbanks about his failed attempts to buy an interest in the Cleveland Herald, and his subsequent negotiations with the Hartford Courant [MTL 3: 195-6].

April 20 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Elmira to Elisha Bliss. “…I don’t like to trust your man,” Sam wrote, about proofreading errors at Bliss’ company. Sam wrote and crossed out: “He is an idiot—& like all idiots, is self-conceited.” Sam returned another section of proofs with this letter [MTL 3: 197-8]. Note: Sam often crossed out sentiments but left them visible to the reader.

April 24 Saturday – James Redpath wrote from Boston to Sam:

Dear Sir—I was very sorry that I failed to see you when in Boston; but next time I hope to have better luck.

April 29 Thursday – Still concerned the book would be too long, Sam suggested in a letter written in Elmira to Elisha Bliss that certain sections could be “snatched out” [MTL 3: 199-203].

May 5 Wednesday – Sam left Elmira in the evening with Charles Langdon, who went to New York for medical attention. Mary Mason Fairbanks, Mrs. Langdon and Sam’s mother all had questioned the propriety of Sam staying so long at the home of his betrothed. Sam saw the need to work on his book directly with his publisher, and to soothe the females as well [MTL 3: 205n1].

May 6 Thursday – Sam and Charles Langdon took rooms at the St. Nicholas Hotel in New York City.

May 7 Friday – Sam and Charles Langdon went to Dan Slote’s blank book and stationery store, then the Tribune office until 2 PM. In the evening Sam and Charley attended a production of Othello (whom Sam called “the great miscegenationist”) at Booth’s Theater at 23rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues [MTL 3: 204].

May 8 Saturday – Sam wrote just after midnight from New York City to Livy, whom he missed already. He filled her in on activities since reaching the city.

May 9 Sunday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Livy about continuing to struggle with the proofs of his book [MTL 3: 209-11].

May 10 Monday – Sam wrote from Bliss’ office in Hartford to Mary Mason Fairbanks.

May 11 Tuesday – Sam wrote from Hartford to his mother about leaving Elmira, proofs of his book, money he sent and what she might need. He also wrote of his desire for a small wedding [MTL 3: 218-9]. Note: It was 2 a.m. and the letter seems abrupt.

May 12 Wednesday – Sam wrote in the evening from the Bliss home in Hartford to Livy. Sam had taken a long walk on dark streets and was reflective [MTL 3: 219-23].

May 13 Thursday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Livy, more of the same sort of romantic “bosh.”

“Now I have nothing henceforth to do but write newspaper letters, read proof, & scribble letters to Livy” [MTL 3: 225-6].

In the evening Sam wrote “Private Habits of the Siamese Twins,” which later appeared in Packard’s Monthly as “Personal Habits of the Siamese Twins” [MTL 3: 228 & n3].

 May 14 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Livy:

“Twichell & I, & another preacher or two, & the editor of the ‘Post’ are to take tea—with Mr. Henry Clay Trumbull, this evening, but you can’t go, on account of that sarcasm.”

May 15 Saturday – Sam wrote just after midnight from Hartford to Livy about the “tea” at the Trumbull’s with Twichell and Gov. Hawley. “I have laughed till I feel all tired out” [MTL 3: 231-2]. Sam wrote another letter to Livy later that day. He started a third letter which he finished May 16.

May 16 Sunday – In Hartford Sam finished his last letter of the previous day to Livy.

May 17 Monday – Sam was in a Livy habit. He started another letter to her from Hartford, finishing the following day [MTL 3: 239-44]. 

May 18 Tuesday – Silas S. Packard paid Sam $25 for “Personal Habits of the Siamese Twins,“ which was published in Packard’s Monthly in August [MTL 3: 230n3]. Sam finished the letter of May 17 to Livy, expressing concern for her health [MTL 3: 243].

May 19 and 20 Thursday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Livy. It rained steadily and Sam was in a depressed state, feeling prisoner of a bad cold and being away from his ladylove [MTL 3: 245-9].

May 23 Sunday – Sam was in New York City, where he received fifty dollars from a cash account that Charles Langdon was keeping for him [MTL 3: 253n7]. The next day Sam was back in Connecticut.

May 24 Monday – Sam wrote from South Windsor, Conn. to Livy. He was visiting the Roe family at East Winsdor Hill, about eight miles from Hartford. Sam had known Azel Stevens Roe Jr., from his days out West. Roe Sr. (1798-1886) was a novelist. Roe Jr. had been a voice and music teacher in Virginia City in 1867, and a tutor in San Francisco in 1863.

May 29 Saturday – In Elmira late, Sam wrote a short note to Livy. This letter was hand delivered. It’s possible the late hour prevented a visit.

May 30 Sunday – Sam’s piece titled “Soundings,” possibly an extract from some earlier article, ran in the Chicago Republican [The Twainian, Sept-Oct 1949 p.5].