ridge.

1. It is proposed to print one volume (200 pages) of my best verse,
and one volume (300 pages) of tales and sketches. These books will
be printed upon heavy uncut paper and in the best style known to the
University printer.

2. The edition will be limited to 200 sets (each set of two
volumes), and none will be put upon sale.

3. It is proposed to pay for the publication by subscriptions. One
hundred (100) shares are offered to my personal friends at ten
dollars a share, each subscriber to receive two (2) sets of the
books.

If you wish to subscribe to this enterprise, please fill out the
accompanying blank (next page) and send it before March 25th, with
money-order, draft, or check, to Mr. Slason Thompson, editor of
"America," who has consented to act as custodian of the funds
necessary to the accomplishment of the purpose specified.

Very sincerely yours,

EUGENE FIELD.

The accompanying blank addressed to me read:

Find enclosed ------ for ------ ($ ) representing my subscription
for ------ share ------ in the two-volume publication of Eugene
Field's original work.

------
------ P.O. Address.

If Field had any doubts as to the estimation in which he was held by
his friends, they were dispelled by the ready response to this appeal,
while the generous words accompanying many of the orders were well
calculated to warm the cockles of a colder heart than beat within the
breast of "The Good Knight _sans peur et sans monnaie_." Many persons
to whom circulars had not been sent heard of the proposed publication
and wrote asking to be allowed to subscribe. The largest single
subscription was for five shares. There were three for two shares, and
all the rest were for one share each, many echoed the "Certainly! and
glad of the chance," which was Stuart Robson's response. F.J.V. Skiff,
Field's old associate on the Denver Tribune, added a postscript to his
order, saying, "And wish I could take it all," while Victor F. Lawson,
in a personal note to me accompanying his order, wrote, "If you run
short on this scheme I shall be glad to increase my subscription
whenever advised that it is needed." This spirit pervaded the replies
to our circular and gave Field keener pleasure than he ever
experienced through the publication of any of his other books.

Chicago, as was to be expected, took a majority of the shares; Denver
came next, and then Kansas City. Comparatively