in 1895 riley undertook his last tour, making stops in most of the major cities in the united states. advertised as his final performances, there was incredible demand for tickets and riley performed before his largest audiences during the tour. he and sherley continued a show very similar to those that he and nye had done. riley often lamented the lack of change in the program. he found when he tried to introduce new material, or left out any of his most popular poems, the crowds would demand encores until he agreed to recite their favorites.