SUMMER MEETING AT BROOKFIELD. 149 



In the morning we were met by the officers of the city and taken 

 :a ride on a steamer out on the Gulf, out past the jetties. Here, also, 

 deep water only is wanted to make the business of Texas develop 

 wonderfully. Eeturning, we visited many portions of Galveston and 

 the Beach hotel, seeing many of the sights and surroundings of the 

 city. 



At 3 p. m. the Santa Fe gave us a special car for a run out to Hitch- 

 cock, where Mr. Stringfellow had prepared a treat for the society in 

 the way of a strawberry festival out of doors in February, something 

 we are not used to. But surely we found the table loaded with berries, 

 more than we could eat (and we are good fruit eaters, too). The ber- 

 ries were ripening and in bloom at the same time, giving a season of 

 about two mouths. 



But this is not all we saw. We visited a rose garden of five acres 

 and saw them all in bloom in their beauty, Hybrids Bourbon, Noi- 

 sette, Teas, all a mass of roses. The kind proprietor told each to pick 

 what they wanted, and so they did. Each went away loaded with roses. 

 The writer found a row of Marechal Xiel and gathered nothing but 

 buds, which were kept until reaching home. 



The pear orchard of Mr. Stringfellow was a sight to behold, just 

 blooming and with some pears set. They were the Le Conte, and pay 

 •enormously. The land about here, and in fact, all over here, is low and 

 level, and yet seems to be peculiarly adapted to pear and berry- 

 growing. 



Eeturning to Galveston after a very pleasant day and a very profit- 

 able one, too, we were glad to again sleep. 



The next morning the Santa Fe, which road never does anything 

 by halves, gave the whole party a free ride to Temple, Lampasas Springs, 

 Dallas and Fort Worth. After a pleasant day's ride over some more 

 beautiful country we reach Lampasas Springs, where a banquet is in 

 readiness for us and a delegation of the people ready to receive us. 



The next morning we were taken a drive about the town and the 

 notable springs, where no doubt the largest mineral springs in the Sta,te 

 are located. There is a fine hotel located here, and every arrangement 

 made for the accommodation of those wishing to be benefited by the 

 waters. Bath houses, lawns, games, hunting, fishing to satisfy the most 

 exacting. 



The water seems to be as nearly like the mineral wells at Clinton 

 and Nevada as anything we from Missouri could think of. With regret 

 we leave the springs to start on the trip to Dallas. Belated, we reach 

 the city about 11 p. in., and our old friend, J. M. Howell, is there with 

 all arrangements for us at the hotel. 



