Mr. Field was not only a writer of child verses, but wrote some first-class Western dialectic verse, did some translating, was an excellent newspaper correspondent, and a critic of no mean ability; but he was too kind-hearted and liberal to chastise a brother severely who did not come up to the highest literary standard. He was a hard worker, contributing daily, during his later years, from one to three columns to the “Chicago News,” besides writing more or less for the “Syndicate Press” and various periodicals. In addition to this, he was frequently traveling, and lectured or read from his own writings. Since his death, his oldest daughter, Miss Mary French Field (“Trotty”), has visited the leading cities throughout the country, delivering readings from her father’s works. The announcement of her appearance to read selections from the writings of her genial father is always liberally responded to by an appreciative public. * * * * * OUR TWO OPINIONS.¹ US two wuz boys when we fell out―― Nigh to the age uv my youngest now; Don’t rec’lect what ’twuz about, Some small diff’rence, I’ll allow, Lived next neighbors twenty years, A-hatin’ each other, me ’nd Jim―― He havin’ his opinyin uv me ’Nd I havin’ my opinyin uv him! Grew up together, ’nd wouldn’t speak, Courted sisters, and marr’d ’em, too ’Tended same meetin’ house oncet a week, A-hatin’ each other, through ’nd through. But when Abe Linkern asked the West F’r soldiers, we answered――me ’nd Jim―― He havin’ his opinyin uv me ’Nd I havin’ my opinyin uv him! Down in Tennessee one night, Ther was sound uv firin’ fur away, ’Nd the sergeant allowed ther’d be a fight With the Johnnie Rebs some time next day; ’Nd as I was thinkin’ of Lizzie ’nd home, Jim stood afore me, long ’nd slim―― He havin’ his opinyin uv me ’Nd I havin’ my opinyin uv him! Seemed like we knew there wuz goin’ to be Serious trouble f’r me ’nd him―― Us two shuck hands, did Jim ’nd me, But never a word from me or Jim! He went his way, and I went mine, ’Nd into the battle’s roar went we―― I havin’ my opinyin uv Jim ’Nd he havin’ his opinyin uv me! Jim never come back from the war again, But I haint forgot that last, last night When waitin’ f’r orders, us two men Made up and shuck hands, afore the fight; ’Nd, after it all, it’s soothin’ to know That here I be, ’nd yonder’s Jim―― He havin’ his opinyin uv me ’Nd I havin’ my opinyin uv him! ¹ From “A Little Book of Western Verse” (1889). Copyrighted by Eugene Field, and published by Charles Scribner’s Sons. * * * * * LULLABY.¹