James T. Fields — 25 Oct. 1861

To JAMES T. FIELDS
October 25 1861, Wheeling

Mr. Fields,

I have not begun the short story because I have been sick since you wrote.– I will try now, though. Did you want it for the Atlantic? Please let me know.

I am going to do something horrid now. You know you offered to send me the money all at once or in installments as I chose and I chose the latter. May I change my mind, and ask you—if it is all the same to you—to send the remaining $160 now? I want to buy something and haven’t money enough, and thought I would rather ask you than run in debt. If it is not perfectly convenient, tell me so, please. I trust you to do that.

Another favour— do you know a Mr O’Connor – who wrote a book called ‘Harrington’ last winter?[1] I think you do—is the reason I ask you if you know where he is or anything about him. I wished to send him a package and do not know his address or if he is alive. Pardon the liberty I am taking, will you not?

Yours R. B. H.

Notes

1. William Douglas O’Connor (1832-1889) published Harrington: A True Story of Love in 1860.

Key Words

financial issues, Harrington (O'Connor), William Douglas O'Connor

Source

Richard Harding Davis Papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia

Contributor

S. M. Harris