to me. One of my great regrets is
that circumstances compel me to grind away at ephemeral work which
is wholly averse to my tastes. But enough of this. Within a month my
new book, "Love Songs of Childhood," will be out. I regard it as my
best work so far, and am hoping it will be profitable. I do
occasional readings. This afternoon I appeared at the Art Institute
with Joseph Jefferson, Sol Smith Russell, Octave Thanet, and Hamlin
Garland. I recited "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod," "Seein' Things at
Night," and "Our Two Opinions," and was heartily encored, but
declined to do anything further. Julia, Ida, Posie, and I may drop
in on you Saturday morning to spend Sunday. Would you like it? Would
the child be too much for the peace and dignity of the household?
Dear Mr. Gray, do be good to _yourself_. Don't let the rest of
creation worry you one bit. You are about the only man I have to
depend upon, for you know the good that is in me, as well as the
folly. Our love to the Butterflyish Miss Eva, and more love to
you--God bless you! Ever affectionately yours,

EUGENE FIELD.
1033 Evanston Ave., Station X, Chicago,
October 25th, 1894.

This is the most soberly, self-revealing letter written by Eugene
Field that has come within my ken. Through it the reader is taken into
the confidence which existed between the writer and his constant
friend--a confidence further extended in the following letter which
reports progress in the attainment of "the house":

DEAR MR. GRAY: Our deal was closed last evening (Monday). It would
have been closed Saturday but for a clerical error, which put the
whole matter off over Sunday. I have told the cashier at the Record
office to pay you One Hundred Dollars a month, beginning in May. She
will communicate with you as to how you desire remittances made.
Julia and I feel deeply obligated to you for your prompt and cordial
action, without which we might have been seriously embarrassed. The
plans we have at present are to introduce gas into the house, to add
two rooms, and to have a bath-room and laundry tubs put in. We shall
do nothing about a heating apparatus until late in the summer. This
will enable us not to borrow any money until August; by that time we
shall be able to see our way clearer than we do now. Mr. Stone wants
to help us somewhat, and he has told us to send the bill for
house-painting to him. We shall be compelled to go