the income from his book allowed riley to ease his busy work schedule; he submitted articles to the "journal" less often and made fewer lecture stops. he wrote fewer poems but their quality improved; he wrote his most famous poems during the mid-1880s, including "little orphant annie". riley attempted to secure a new job at a periodical and leave the "journal", but the magazines would not hire him unless he was willing to relocate. riley was steadfast in his refusal to leave indiana telling reporters that his rural home was his inspiration and to leave would ruin his poetry.