pie—a concoction consisting of custard cream mixed with chestnut puree, candied fruits, currants, white raisins, and whipped cream.

Today, as I look at my journal, I am amazed at what we paid for this wonderful repast. The grand total, not including the gratuity: $5.15*[*About $136 in 2013 dollars]—and this was at the finest restaurant in Chicago. How times have changed.

After dinner, we walked around the city. The place seemed just as active as it had during the day. We marveled at the seventeen-story, 1,200-room Monadnock Building at 53 West Jackson Boulevard—the first skyscraper in the city and the tallest and largest office building in the world at the time. Finally, we walked back to the Tremont House, where we enjoyed a nightcap. That night in bed with Mallie, I found myself wondering w...

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