However, there was a fine hotel in Houston and many pleasant people, among whom I made some valuable acquaintances.

Beside several public meetings, I had parlor talks and scattered leaflets, so that my time was not lost.
As the floods had upset my plans for the winter, I went straight from Houston to New York over the Iron Mountain Railroad.

I anticipated a rather solitary trip; but, fortunately, I met General Baird, whom I knew, and some other army officers, who had been down on the Mexican border to settle some troubles in the "free zone." We amused ourselves on the long journey with whist and woman suffrage discussions.

We noticed a dyspeptic-looking clergyman, evidently of a bilious temperament, eying us very steadily and disapprovingly the first day, and in a quiet way we warned each other that, in due time, he would give us a sermon on the sin of card playing.
Sitting alone, early next morning, he seated himself by my side, and asked me if I would allow him to express his opinion on card playing.

I said "Oh, yes! I fully believe in free speech." "Well," said he, "I never touch cards.