t was late when the call came. On entering
the dining room we found a separate table in the center of the room,
decorated with flags and blossoms. To this table we were escorted by
our host. We did not need the second bidding for we were a hungry five
and we were ready for anything prepared for us. After spending a
delightful hour partaking of the very best of everything, we adjourned
to the parlors and talked over the events of the trip and enjoyed some
excellent music which had been prepared for us. At 12 o'clock the gong
sounded and the lights were put out. Thus ended the eventful day of
our flag raising at Gilroy Hot Springs, July 18, 1872--thirty-nine
years ago.

VISALIA CONCERTS.

Walter Campbell, Mr. Anderson, Sam Booth and myself were engaged as
soloists for the Visalia concerts that lasted three nights, given
under the auspices of the Good Templars of that city. Local talent was
used for choruses. We were paid $50 each and all our expenses. When we
arrived, December 3, 1878, the city was billed as for a circus.
Posters were everywhere, old fashioned stages carrying passengers had
posters on each side with our names printed in ten to twelve inch
lettering. We were amazed at our popularity and were a jolly
quartette. At the rehearsal we discovered some musical folk, capable
of interpreting the old-time songs and to our great pleasure and
surprise we found we had a fine support to aid us in our quaint songs
which had made for us a reputation in our own city. By seven o'clock
of the first night the sidewalk was crowded with eager and expectant
citizens, waiting with good humor until the time for the opening.
Before the concert began the house was filled to overflowing. Promptly
at eight the instrumental march began. In the first number it was
arranged for all the performers to be on the stage to make a
picturesque showing of the costumes. It was many minutes before we
were allowed to begin the programme. It was a demonstration to satisfy
the ambition of any singer and spur him on to greater things. We were
all in the best of voice and with the good will of the audience we
carried out the programme without an error, with encores galore.

The second night was a repetition of the vast crowd of enthusiastic
people. A surprise was in store for me. Rev. P.Y. Cool stepped upon
the platform and informed the audience that when he was pastor of the
First Methodist church in Santa Cruz in 1864 I was the solo singer in
h