On Monday, 2 May, the Elmira Advertiser reported that the Clemenses were “in the city. They will spend the next week or two with friends here.” They probably arrived on Sunday (1 May), for the Advertiser also noted that “Mr. Jervis Langdon and wife and Dr. Sayles and wife, returned from their southern trip on Friday evening. The health of the party was not much benefitted by the journey. Particularly was this the case with Mr. Langdon, who lost some thirty pounds in weight during his absence” (“City and Neighborhood,” 4). Langdon’s illness now must have seemed ominous indeed, although there was lingering hope that it would still prove to be merely “dyspepsia” (13 May 70 to Langdonclick to open letter). Langdon himself seems to have begun preparing for the worst by seeing that his business affairs were in good order. On 1 May he officially reorganized his firm as J. Langdon and Company, taking as partners his son, Charles, his son-in-law, Theodore Crane, and his trusted associate John D. F. Slee (22 May 70 to Langdon, n. 2click to open letter; 25 June 70 to Fairbanks, n. 1click to open letter).

Mary Janney is unidentified. Clemens himself may never have met her, for on the back of this letter, someone wrote “For Mary,” indicating that it was hand delivered or enclosed by an intermediary. The paper, ink, and handwriting are similar to those in 23 Apr 70 to Blissclick to open letter, but with Janney unidentified, the assigned year remains doubtful: 1869 and 1871 are each somewhat less likely but still possible.

Clemens had used a similar rebus in January 1869 ( L3 , 14).