I'm still the "same old Dick"; not proud a bit.
This was my mother's reply:
Thursday.
August 1888.
DEAR DICK:
Your letter has just come and we are all delighted. Well done for old St. Nicholas! I thought they meant to wait till the story was published. It took me back to the day when I got $50. for "Life in the Iron Mills." I carried the letter half a day before opening it, being so sure that it was a refusal.
I had a great mind to read the letter to Davis and Cecile who were on the porch but was afraid you would not like it.
I did read them an extremely impertinent enclosure which was so like the letter I sent yesterday. That I think you got it before writing this.
. . . Well I am glad about that cheque! Have you done anything on Gallagher? That is by far the best work you've done—oh, by far—Send that to Gilder. In old times The Century would not print the word "brandy." But those days are over.
Two more days—dear boy—