May 19 Tuesday –William Dean Howells wrote from Boston after reading in the newspapers that Sam was going to Europe. Sam had kept the plans private, telling only family and Frederick J. Hall.
I hope this is not ill health or ill luck that is taking you, but I am so worried about where to place myself here for the summer, that I almost wish I was sick or sorry enough to go to Europe, too.
May 2 Sunday – In Hartford, Sam inscribed a copy of A Tramp Abroad to Robert Howland: “With the affectionate remembrances of his ancient friend” [MTLE 5: 96].
May 2 Monday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Charles Webster:
“Let Dan furnish money to pay bills with, just as long as he will” [MTP].
May 2 Tuesday – Dr. John Brown of Scotland, favored friend of the Clemens family died. Sam would learn of the death before he left New Orleans, in a “damp newspaper.”
Sam wrote from New Orleans to Livy:
May 2 Saturday – From Susy’s unfinished biography:
The next morning we rose early, took an early train for Hartford and reached Hartford at ½ past 2 o’clock. We were very glad to get back [MTA 2: 171].
May 2 Sunday – Alfred P. Burbank was at the Clemens home to discuss production of Colonel Sellers as Scientist with Sam and Howells [MTHL 2: 564n1]. Susy recorded that at supper “papa and Mr. Howells began to talk about the Jews” [Salsbury 223]. Howells and daughter completed their visit with the Clemens family, and may have left in the evening or the next morning.
May 2 Monday – Orion Clemens wrote a note to Sam that his $155 check was received [MTP].
Check # Payee Amount [Notes]
3672 Mssrs McCarty & Cleary 92.68
3673 Mr J.S. Chase, Secy 27.50
3674 Mr. James L. Whitman 7.19
3675 Hartford Silver Plate Co 1.75
May 2 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam wrote to Elmira photographer Elisha M. Van Aken asking him to send two pictures “Wide Awake” and “Fast Asleep” to Miss Winnie Dawson, in care of Dawson Brothers, Montreal. Sam added the note:
May 2 Thursday – Daniel Whitford for Alexander & Green wrote to Sam [MTP]. “I do not think the reformation of the agreement with Mrs. Richardson should be delayed longer. I therefore enclose it to you. Do examine it carefully and if there is anything you wish explained bold it and let me know…. I judge from the tone of Mr. Frohman’s letter which I sent you that he was unable to make anything out of what Mr. House had written” [MTP].
May 2 Friday – The latest effort at International Copyright legislation failed in Congress.
May 2 Friday ca. – On or about this day Sam left for New York to raise money for the Paige typesetter. Livy wrote to him about his business worries and their planned trip to Europe, canceled.
Youth don’t let the thought of Europe worry you one bit because we will give that all up. I want to see you happy much more than I want any thing else even the childrens lessons. Oh darling it goes to my very heart to see you worried [LLMT 255-6].
May 2 Saturday – In Hartford Franklin G. Whitmore wrote for Sam to Henry S. Alden, responding to his May 1 letter. Sam desired Whitmore to say that Frederick J. Hall handled such matters, and Alden’s letter was forwarded to him [MTP].
Sam’s notebook: May 2. Finished the book which I began to write on Feb. 20. 71 days [3: 621]. Note: The American Claimant. (Editorial emphasis.)
May 20 Thursday – Sam rented a hack from Wm. P. Woolley, Hartford livery, to ride to the circus. The Grand London Circus, then played in Hartford. It’s not known if the whole family went or just Sam and the children, but Livy was seven months pregnant, so likely she stayed home (see Oct. 17 for livery bill details). The Hartford Courant reviewed the circus May 21, page 2, and reported:
May 20 Friday – Sam sent two telegrams from Hartford to Webster about Dan’s Slote’s punishment:
FIRST TELEGRAM 11:30 A.M. …I PREFER THEY [LAWYERS] MAKE DEMANDS UPON HIM THOUGH I WILL DO SO IF THEY SO ADVISE [MTP].
May 20 Saturday – The Minneapolis arrived at Lake Pepin, Minn. Sam and Osgood saw a “wretched poor family on boat going to the frontier—man on deck with wagon; woman & several little children allowed in cabin for charity’s sake. The slept on sofas & floor in glare of lamps without covering. Must have frozen last night.” Sam told how he and Osgood took pity on the family and got them hot meals and blankets [MTNJ 2: 480n164].
May 20 Sunday – Sam and James R. Osgood traveled from Hartford to New York City to watch Collender’s great billiard tournament at Tammany Hall [MTBus 214].
May 20 Tuesday – Willard C. Gompf for Connecticut Fire Ins. Co. wrote to Clemens, “yours of the 19th inst. is at hand. Of course we are sorry that you do not ‘talk’ now,” and they invited him to their meeting of writers to talk [MTP]. Note: Sam wrote on the env., “answered”
May 20 Wednesday – In Hartford, Sam wrote to Charles Webster. Progress had been made on the Paige typesetter; a big test was in the offing. Sam was ready to sign a contract:
May 20 Thursday – Pamela Moffett ended her visit at the Clemenses, and returned to New York where she again stayed with her daughter Annie Webster and her son-in-law, Charles Webster until mid-June [MTNJ 3:236n33].
May 20 Sunday – The New York Times, p.10, “Held to Contract,” announced a judgment of $2,382.10 against Charles L. Webster & Co in favor of the Joseph J. Little & Co., printers at 10 Astor-place.
May 20 Monday – Edward P. Clark for N.Y. Evening Post wrote acknowledging Sam’s his letter of the 18th and check for $25 toward the Welch Memorial Fund [MTP].
Dean Sage wrote to Sam that he and Parsons would go and inspect the typesetter and if satisfactory would buy some stock in it. He also reported meeting Francis Hopkinson Smith Saturday night [MTP].
May 20 Tuesday – E.W. Stephens for Herald Publishing Co. wrote inviting Sam to attend a gathering of the press in Missouri on Aug. 22. Sam would not have to speak [June to Stephens].
W.H. Patten for Harper & Brothers wrote to Sam and sent a drawing by Mr. Sterner of Elsie Leslie in her dressing room at the Broadway Theatre. [MTP].
Daniel Whitford wrote to Sam that the Edward House case was put over until October and Sam “need fear no annoyance; he agreed that Sam’s “plan of preserving strict silence” about the case was best [MTP].
May 20 Wednesday – In Hartford Sam responded to William Dean Howells’ May 19.
May 21 Friday – Sam wrote from Hartford to Fanny C. Hesse, his former secretary, sending “Livy’s & mother’s annual $10 fee for S.” Sam related Livy’s confinement to her room and his need to send payment. [MTLE 5: 112].
Sam also responded to an unidentified person’s request for an autograph [113].
May 21 Saturday – Livy had invited the Whitmores for the evening to meet her brother, Charles Langdon, and his wife, Ida Clark Langdon, who were visiting from Elmira [MTP see May 18 entry].
May 21 Sunday – The Minneapolis arrived at St. Paul, Minn. at 7 AM after a “hideous trip” where Sam and Osgood spent the night at the Metropolitan Hotel. It was cold and snowing [Kaplan 246].