September 26 Saturday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Livy wrote for Sam wrote to William V. Alexander: “As Mr Clemens is in New York for a few days I will answer your note regarding the photo’s Mr Clemens did make a mistake in asking for two copies of 8366 he only desires one. I believe there is no other that he wishes to put in its place. Thanking you for calling Mr Clemens attention to the mistake …” [MTP].
Quarry Farm 1903 DBD
September 28 Monday – Sam’s notebook: “Monday, Sept. 28/03. Talk with Duneka (Harper & Brothers.) If ever a publisher gets a non-terminable contract with an author, that author can never buy his freedom from that slavery on any terms. A publisher is by nature so low & vile that he—that he—well from the bottom of my heart I wish all publishers were in hell. / And particularly: / Elisha Bliss (already there);” [NB 46 TS 23-24].
September 30 Wednesday – Sam’s notebook: “A P H / Every hog has his day” [NB 46 TS 25].
Joe Twichell wrote to Sam, pasting a Hartford Courant clipping at the top of the first page, which related an anecdote of Sam attending Parker’s Old South Church when Joe was away, and saying:
October 1 Thursday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote a note to the Hartford Postmaster that was not sent.
In this envelop came a letter (dated 6 weeks back) from Brazil, in which the writer says he is sending me a little book “by private hands.”
October 2 Friday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam began a letter to James Barnes that he added a PS of good news to on Oct. 5.
October 3 Saturday – Sam’s notebook: “Monday we leave for New York. Oct. 24 we sail for Italy. To-day I placed flowers on Susy’s grave—for the last time probably—& read words / ‘Good-night, dear heart / good-night’” [NB 46 TS 25; MTB 1206]. Note: entry boxed.
October 4 Sunday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam wrote to Henry W. Lucy.
My dear Lucy—Your letter went to Hartford and thereby lost a couple of days, arriving in this remote corner only to-day. Still, I may possibly be able to catch you with a word of welcome before you sail. But I can hardly hope for the good luck of seeing you, for we go on board our ship (bound for Italy) the evening of October 23rd, and your ship will come in next day, after we shall have sailed.
October 5 Monday – At Quarry Farm in Elmira, N.Y. Sam added a P.S. to his Oct. 2 to James Barnes.
“P.S. Oct. 5. It is all right! The book has this moment arrived, & I thank you again” [MTP]. Note: Gribben gives (1866-1936) for Barnes and lists four books, but only one prior to 1905, The Son of Light Horse Harry (1904) Harpers; this may be an early release of the book, but why it would have to be sent from Brazil is not clear [48].