[_Written on the fly-leaf of a copy of_ Specimen Days, _sent to Peter
Doyle, at Washington, June, 1883_]
Pete, do you remember--(of course you do--I do well)--those great long
jovial walks we had at times for years, (1866-'72) out of Washington
city--often moonlight nights--'way to "Good Hope";--or, Sundays, up and
down the Potomac shores, one side or the other, sometimes ten miles at
a stretch? Or when you work'd on the horse-cars, and I waited for you,
coming home late together--or resting and chatting at the Market, corner
7th street and the Avenue, and eating those nice musk or watermelons?
Or during my tedious sickness and first paralysis ('73) how you used to
come to my solitary garret-room and make up my bed, and enliven me,
and chat for an hour or so--or perhaps go out and get the medicines Dr.
Drinkard had order'd for me--before you went on duty?... Give my love
to dear Mrs. and Mr. Nash, and tell them I have not forgotten them, and
never will.