We were met by a committee in Atlanta.

Almost the first thing that I heard when I got off the train in that city was an expression something like this, from an old coloured man near by: "Dat's de man of my race what's gwine to make a speech at de Exposition to-morrow.

I'se sho' gwine to hear him." Atlanta was literally packed, at the time, with people from all parts of the country, and with representatives of foreign governments, as well as with military and civic organizations.

The afternoon papers had forecasts of the next day's proceedings in flaring headlines.

All this tended to add to my burden.