had not provided the refreshments for our own entertainment, and we had Bates under bonds not to give Mrs. Bates an inkling of our visit.  But she was enough of a Martha to rise to the occasion.  Several members of the company were detailed on separate errands to Clark Street for various raw meats and non-alcoholic liquid supplies, and Mrs. Bates herself descended to the kitchen to oversee the preparation of the bounteous feast which presently emerged from chaos.  By way of grace, Field read an impromptu poem written in dark blue ink on pale blue paper with each line beginning with a capital in red: 

  TO CLARA DOTY BATES

  Circled around this fair and sumptuous board
    (Like nymphs, dear ladies, you—­like satyrs, we)
    All to one purpose cheerfully agree—­
  Ruthless assault on Bates’s savory hoard. 
    And since the skirmish duty falls on me—­
  Despite the wait, of hungry folk deplored—­
  One opening shot I claim, one modest toast
    To her who makes life easy for our host.

  You, madam, have achieved a noble fame,
    Better by far than selfishness could earn—­
  A million grateful children bless your name—­
    To you we drink—­then to the viands turn;
    Easy, mayhap, it is to write a book—­
    Success to her whose muse will deign to cook!

  E.F. 
  Chicago, April 28, 1886._

  III

  CHICAGO, Tuesday night, September the 14th, 1886.

My Dear Child:—­This man Reilly, who has thrust himself upon me during your absence, is fast becoming a seven-year itch.  He sprawls about over this room of mine as if it were his own, he strews his damned medical literature over my table, he has a constant stream of idiot callers, and he refuses to give up when I demand truage of him.  I hope you will pack your gripsack and start home immediately upon receipt of this.  Ballantyne left for St. Louis a few moments ago.  In honor of the fact that he is supposed to be on deck to-night, Stone has taken his family and gone to the Casino Theatre for the evening.

Cowen spent the night at my house last night and to-day Pinny caught twenty-five crickets for him to take to his room to make music for him.  While Cowen was riding down in the car a pretty girl got aboard, and in trying to get a peep at her Cowen dropped the box containing the crickets.  For some moments it rained crickets.  The women climbed up on the seats of the car and there was general alarm.  I believe that Cowen recovered three of the crickets, but two of these had but two legs between them.

The Chicagos won the game at St. Louis yesterday (1 to 0), but lost to-day (4 to 5).  Flynn pitched yesterday and your friend Clarkson pitched to-day.  It wouldn’t surprise me if Chicago and Detroit were to go East tied.

  Ballantyne has made Hawkins move his desk back to the library and
  Hawkins is passing wroth about it.