The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-26
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
a SUN REPORTER,s WINTER TRIP TO
HER ORANGE GROVES.

-
On tho II. Johns River, Fiorida-Mrs'
stoves Plucky Daushters TO Afford An-
other illustration of Womnn's RiGh's-
A Pen Photograph Of Professor stowe
Carpet BapRers' Raids.
Correspondence OF The sun.
JAcKsoSvILLE, Fla, March 19.-Mandarin Is
settlement on the st. Johns River about fifteen miles
above this place. Its most attractive building Is
owned by Mrs. II. b. Stowe. She is living
there now. Her husband, Prof Stowe, and
her ch ;ldren, Hattie, Eliza, and Fred, are with
her. Hattie and Eliza only recently came
from Hartford. They were never here before. They
do not like the country notw outstanding II Is the
land Of flowers. Hattie Ia vigorous girl. She has
well developed pluck and muscle. The rowing
which she does every hne day on the 81. Johns
river IL admirably executed; she Ia passionately
fond Of the sport. Eliza is also vigorous young
woman She converses with animation. Fred was
staff oniccr in the army during the late war and
was wounded. He has undertaken farming az q
business and is experimenting TO become success
full planter. Professor Stowe employs much OF his
time writing and il s lie who furnishes suggestions
for tie rcdoubable Henry Ward Bceclcr.
Mrs. stowe looks careworn. When the exceed
ingly warm weather arrives the Professor, Mrs.
Stowe and her two daughters will return TO the East
and Fred. Stove, his cousin, and the wife Of the
same and buxom baby will remain TO run the plan
tation. Tie property consists first Of q t~o-story
house, constructed Of the finest yellow pine II Is
not a large building. The rooms are cozy. Thore is
portco two sides Of the house. The poriico Is
neatly decorated. All the carpenter work was done
by one man. who received s5 day for lis services,
and was assisted by two OF the male members Of the
stowe family The parlor Is very small. The carpet
on the floor is ingron, with green ground and
| willie flower. There Is large piano in the room,
and that and two other articles occupy much space.
| Adjoining the raror Is the dining room which is
| about double the size Of the parlor.
| TIE dining room is used also "a sitting room.
The furniture IL strong, and constructed so as to be
| conducive to comtort; bu' 1t IL not luxurious.
| Above the dining room aud parlor are sleepnR
| apartments.
In every room in which there is bed, both at the
head and foot OF the bed there Illuminated pla-
cards, with extracts from the Bible or the hvmn book
which IL used IN Mr.. Beechers Church IN brooSlyn.
In front OF the house, there several lar 80 oaks
think they the most beautiful oak ire that
| saw. In front OF the oak trees, ard ALEC right
| weld is about eight hundred oranges to a tree.
The oranges are selling on Tie plantation at rom
| oranges and some of them weigh over pound
The oranges which are cultivated on this plantation
said to he the sweetest on the line OF the river
| There L. brisk demand tor them, and they ar
therefore source Of considerable income TO Mrs
| Stove. ,,,
two women had gone on Change in New York city
| that they were making money; and that they
| Cratutously got all tie advertising winch they
| want T. owing to the wonderful enterprise OF the
| intoi. ewing reporters. Therenpon, II was agreed
| that Misses Hattie and Eliza Stove should start
| large fruit establishment IN New York, and receive
fruit direct from Florida: and Ms they are plucky
| gtls and believe In wonan's enterprise. there Is
| chance that what was fret said as mere Jest may
| prove TO DO fact.
| Between the river line and the ORANGE grove is .
large tract ct low land where Mrs. Stowe is cnl
| ynting e. lnda-rubber tree ana sugar-canc. BACK
OF the holsc Aad be ond the orange grove, there
an extensive cOuse OF pine All the trees alc beau
| tiiuliy hung with moss, which droops low. For
long distance. The right Of the house. beyond the
orange trees. cleared 1ccs where vegetables are
| cultivated; also, peaches and other fruit. -
The negroes the pautstion are paid $lb
month When Fred. ATTEMPTS TO he strict viii
them they promptly rotor; but II Mrs. stowe
| speaks only word TO them they are gentle
| There is deep. universal respect among them for
Mrs. stowe. Their cabius are spacious airy, clean
| and neat.
On Sundays Prof Stowe breaches to a eongre-a
ton Of white people VINO on an average numt ei
about eighty ersons They assemble In small
horse of WORSHIP which has recently been construct
| cd Near this cl urch there IL another il i useC
| by me coIOIcd people When l inquired who wa
the pastor, my attention was directed To an able
bodied, broad chested negro who was up In a tree
picking oranges Tor the stowe family.
| The property which Mrs. Stowe actually owns
consists only OF thirty II was formerly ta'
estate OF j. T. Beinap. Ste bought 1t in October
| 1871 for clsh