Here is what I bought Gussie for a wedding present to-day:  2 quires of paper with envelopes, 1 curling iron, 2 papers of pins, 2 papers of hairpins, 1 darning ball, 2 combs, 1 bottle Calder’s tooth powder, 1 bottle of vaseline, 1 bottle of shoe polish, 1 box of lip salve, 1 button hook and 1 bottle of listerine.

  It is quite wintry here.  We are all well.  Remember me to Marie
  Matilde and to la belle Helene.

  Affectionately yours,

  EUGENE FIELD.

It must not be inferred from anything in these letters that Field’s relations with Dr. Reilly were ever anything but the most friendly and grateful.  It simply amused him to rail at and revile one of his best friends.

  IV

  CHICAGO, Wednesday night, September the 15th, 1886.

My dear Nompy:—­Presumably you are by this time sitting by the sad sea waves in that dreary Canuck watering place, drawing sight drafts on the banks of Newfoundland and letting the chill east wind blow through your whiskers.  We, too, are demoralized.  That senile old substitute of yours—­the Dock—­has been as growly-powly as a bear to-day.  As for me, I am growing desperate.  You can see by the enclosed picture how changed I am.

[Illustration:  FIELD’S PORTRAIT OF HIMSELF. “As I would have looked but for the refining influence of Old Nompy.”]

Well, Chicago beat St. Louis to-day and, the gods be glorified!  Kansas City beat Detroit! as for New York, Boston whipped her day before yesterday and Washington shut her out to-day! now if Detroit will only lose a game or two to St. Louis!  I more than half suspect that your home folk will think that you and I are base-ball mad.

  Stone has bought Gussie a salad set for a wedding gift.  I suggested
  it in the hope that with two sets on hand Gussie might be disposed
  to give us the old one....

  Remember me in respectful phraseology to the belligerent Marie
  Matilde.

  Yours as ever,

  FIELD.

  V

  CHICAGO, Thursday evening, September the 16th, 1886.

My dear Fellow:—­It is presumed that Ballantyne and his bride arrived in this city to-day at seven A.M., but up to this hour (eight P.M.) the bridegroom has not put in an appearance at the office.

Cowen is threatening to write to you; it occurs to me that he ought to do something to atone for the vile slanders he has uttered about you since you went away.  Stone kept Reilly busy at writing from two o’clock yesterday afternoon until twelve last night.  Your friend Werner, advance agent of the McCaul Company, is in town.  He inquired for you to-day.

I have been reading the memoirs of Dolly Madison and am specially delighted with the letter written by the old Quakeress, Mrs. Hobbs.  It is a beautiful letter, and you must read it at your first opportunity.

  Stone is very much pleased over the result of the County Democratic
  Convention, the defeat of Dunphy giving him particular gratification. 
  Love to all.  God bless you, dear boy.