riley undertook occasional reading tours around indiana, and in august 1880 he was invited to perform at asbury university. his performance there so impressed the local phi kappa psi chapter, he was invited to join as an honorary member. through the fraternity he met robert jones burdette, a writer and minister in the indianapolis area. burdette was a member of the redpath lyceum bureau of boston, a prominent lecture circuit whose regular speakers included ralph waldo emerson. burdette encouraged riley to join the circuit through its chicago branch. riley's accumulated debt and low income began causing him trouble in 1881, and he decided that rejoining a lecture circuit would provide much needed funds. his agreement for continued employment with the circuit depended on his ability to draw audiences during the first season, beginning in april 1881. he succeeded, drawing the largest crowds in chicago and indianapolis.