We have no difficulty in appropriating a fine
breakfast as we "roll along," and strike Port

215



TOUR OF THE ST. ELMO'S.

Huron " in good order." The mighty mass of
water pouring out of Lake Huron, with " cur-
rent swift and strong," is crossed by ferry, the
train is made up and we are off again through
the Queen's Dominions. We are favored by
another special train as far as London, at which
point we are attached to the regular. A little
beyond London we notice an iron bridge swept
from its abutments down the river, which must
have risen from present level, 12 or 15 feet to
even touch it.

At Hamilton the train is made up for
Toronto, giving us a pleasant ride along the
shore of Lake Ontario. At Toronto we are to
await the fast train for Montreal, and the hours
are passed in sight-seeing. Some ride about
the city, some visit the museum at the Educa-
tional institute and some are entertained at the
governor's palace. Several friends call to wel-
come us, Mr. John Blackburn, Mr. Felix and
others, from Meriden, and Mr. George G.
Wingate, of Toronto, also paid us a visit.

216



FINAL FROLIC.

This latter gentleman is a member of a party
who used one of our cars for a long trip last
summer.

It is dark as we again pursue our homeward
way. This is the last night of the trip and the
entire party join in a jolly frolic. The ladies,
probably taking the cue from the Yosemite
robbers, disguised themselves, leaving only the
eyes visible ; then the Sir Knights were com-
pelled to guess which one was his wife, under
the penalty of a heavy forfeit. The portion of
the Queen's Dominion traversed during the
evening rang w r ith peals of merry laughter.
Then the Sir Knights and their ladies gather-
ing about the piano, we sang "the old songs"
together for the last time, and finishing our
frolic laughed ourselves to sleep. It will
be some time ere we shall forget the long
search for the wrench, and the sad plight
of Sir Knight John W. Coe, the dampness
of whose sleeping suit entitled him to com-
miseration.

217



TOUR OF THE ST. ELMO'S.

SATURDAY, Sept. i. A lovely, cool morn-
ing finds us approaching Montreal. On our
arrival we are met by our good friend Sir
Knight S. W. Cummings, general passenger
agent of the Vermont Central railroad, who
inquires kindly concerning our trip, our health
and our wants, gives us a pass to Springfield
for the San Francisco boy and bids us good-
bye. He leaves by next train to meet the
Boston Commandery. At breakfast we are
leaving Montreal, and on crossing the line the
words of the old song ring out in chorus,
" Hurrah for old New England with her cloud-
capped granite hills."

As we speed along all are collected in one
car, and the property of the party is disposed
of at auction. Then a number of resolutions
are passed, dividing the provisions among the
cooks, porters and waiters, and thanking Sir
Knight E. C. Birdsey for the labor accom-
plished in preparations for this successful trip.
Also, Sir Knight R. T. Cook and Sir Knight

218



RESOLUTIONS AND SPEECH.

John W. Coe for the manner in which they
have discharged their duties as commissaries."
Also, appointing a committee of three, of
which Sir Knight Levi E. Coe is chairman,
to draft resolutions to be forwarded to all parties
who have favored us during our pilgrimage,
expressive of our appreciation of their efforts
for our pleasure and comfort, and our thanks
for the same.

Sir Knights E. J. Doolittle and E. C. Birdsey
were appointed as the other members of this
committee.

The following was voted : That the treasurer
be instructed to refund to the Sir Knights who
were prevented from accompanying us, the
money received from them.

Sir Knight George S. Taylor, in a neat
speech, thanked the party for the invitation to
accompany them. He assured us that both
himself and his wife consider this forty-one
days' pilgrimage the pleasantest trip of their
lifetime ; that they both anticipated very much



TOUR OF THE ST. ELMO'S.

from the journey, but that the realization had
vastly exceeded their most extravagant dreams.
Sir Knight H. H. Strong also returned thanks
in behalf of himself and his wife, using expres-
sions of similar import. Both Sir Knights
remarked upon the fact that during the forty-
one days there has been from first to last in
both cars absolute and perfect harmony.

The following was unanimously

Resolved : That the historian, with the assist-
ance of the executive committee, be instructed
to prepare in permanent form a history of the
journey, also adding to the executive commit
tee the name of Sir Knight Eli C. Birdsey.

The meeting adjourned with regret that it is
the last of a long series of regular meetings of
this party.

We are rejoiced to greet Mr. and Mrs. W.
W. Lyman, who came on board en route for
Brattleboro, taking this train at Montpelier
Junction. We are glad to have their company
at our last dinner. We have traveled more



NE IV ENGLAND SCENER Y.

than nine thousand miles and so near home
have the first hot box. Fortunately we are
near White River Junction, where a stop for
dinner holds the train a sufficient length of
time to substitute a new one. The New Eng-
land scenery is delightful. It is safe to assume
that every member of the party looks upon
these lovely hill-sides with the utmost pleasure.
The valley of the Connecticut is celebrated
for the fertility of its sunny slopes, no less
than for its scenic beauty. Its special charm
for us, however, lies not in its shifting scenes,
ministering to the "love of the beautiful," nor
to its famed husbandry, but rather in the senti-
ment which finds expression in " Home Again."
We find at Springfield the train for Meriden
awaiting our arrival, the hour for its departure
having passed. Sir Knight George W. Taylor
and wife leave us at this point for their home
in Chicopee. We bid them adieu with pain,
regretting that "the best of friends must
part."



TOUR OF THE ST. ELMO'S.

Hurriedly the arrangements are made ; our
cars attached to the " Steamboat train " for
home, and we are off ; having first bidden
adieu to the friends who meet us here and to
the sick lad who is now nearly home, who says
with tear-bedimmed eyes and trembling voice,
"God bless you all."

At Berlin we are surprised by the entrance
of Sir Knight W. F. Davis, Sir Knight Geo.
W. Miller, Sir Knight W. F. Rockwell, Sir
Knight W. L. Stoddard, J. H. Mabbett, of the
Press-Recorder, and W. F. Graham of the
Republican.

" Home again, Home again," is ringing
through the car as we stop at Meriden. The
band is playing outside and our beloved Sir
Knights of St. Elmo with the city officers and
members of the common council are waiting
to welcome the party whose trip across the

continent is over.

I add here the names of those who have
served us. Upon the car " Chas. B. Pratt,"



WELCOME HOME.

Noah C. Johnson, porter; Ellis Scales, cook;
R. A. Jeffrey, waiter. Upon the car " City of
Worcester," A. W. dough, porter; James
Carter, cook ; Henry Smith, waiter.

In closing these hastily written letters I
must be permitted to return thanks to the
many kind friends and courteous Sir Knights
to whom we are largely indebted for informa-
tion imparted. It has been our good fortune
to meet everywhere numbers of well-informed
people, and all anxious to serve us in this as in
other particulars.

The following, from an editorial in a local
papes, tells the story of the welcome home :
"The St. Elmo Tourists arrived home accord-
ing to their Itinerary, Saturday evening, only
three-quarters of an hour behind time. The
hearty welcome from their brother Templars
and the citizens generally, who thronged the
platform, was a spontaneous testimonial of the
people's esteem and good wishes. The circum-

223



TOUR OF THE ST. ELMO'S.

stance of the train being forty-seven minutes
late at Hartford, afforded opportunity to meet
the travelers at Berlin. Those who availed
themselves of it found each looking the pic-
ture of health. None gave evidence of weari-
ness, and even the ladies declared themselves
ready to undertake a similar journey if they
could occupy the special cars which had carried
them with such comfort over the 10,000 miles
of their journeyings. Nearing Meriden the
party joined in the chorus " Home Again."
On their arrival at the depot they found the
Reform School Cornet Band in waiting to pay
its respects to the distinguished party. The
enlivening music was a compliment wholly
unexpected though highly appreciated by the
travelers. This, however, was only one inci-
dent of the " Welcome Home." So many
swarmed into the palace cars that the train
was detained fully twenty minutes. The long
absent ones saw the platform black with peo-
ple, anxious to welcome them. Sir M. Beatty,

224



WELCOME HOME.

C. G. of St. Elmo, was there with twenty-two
Sir Knights, Acting Mayor Curtis, with the
entire Common Council were among the multi-
tude, and it looked as if the entire city were out.
The assemblage of July 23d, on the occasion
of the departure of the party, was a mere bag-
atelle compared with the vast concourse gath-
ered to welcome them. It was a long time
before the tourists were able to reach their
carriages, so general and generous was the in-
formal ovation tendered them. Mr. and Mrs.
George S. Taylor, of Chicopee Falls, Mass.,
who accompanied the party, were also enthu-
siastically received by numerous friends at
home, and were serenaded by a cornet band,
under the direction of workmen of the Belcher
& Taylor Mfg. Co., who, with about 500
friends and neighbors called to pay their
respects. H. H. Strong and wife, of New
Haven, also members of the party, received
the congratulations of a host of friends on
their arrival home.



TOUR OF THE ST. ELMO'S.

The reminiscences of the trip given by the
tourists are very interesting, and would fill a
volume. They are very enthusiastic when
speaking of the lavish hospitality of the peo-
ple of the Pacific coast. Nothing was left
undone to make their stay pleasant. Templar
emblems were seen in floral designs upon
lawns in all parts of San Francisco, showing
how the visit was anticipated.

The praise of Mrs. Wm. P. Morgan is upon
every tongue, and if ample justice was not
accorded to her generosity and hospitality it is
because the English language is inadequate.

The Meriden party were singled out at
many points for especial courtesies. The press
of San Francisco and other prominent cities
heralded their coming and descanted upon
their elaborate moving hotels, which the palace
cars really are, and laid stress upon the fact
that the " St. Elmo's of Meriden, Conn.,"
paraded with a larger number of swords in
proportion to its membership than any other

226



FINIS.

Commandery east of the Mississippi, and that
no tourist party from the East ever visited the
Golden Gates in such regal style, which is a
compliment to Connecticut, to Meriden, and
to our home Commandery."




227