The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-06-12
wfittentor the Florida .AGRIcu1ruRts,
ACROSS THE OCEAN.

among the remains of the past for
ever.
Our vessel was the staunch old
Minnesota ian English outfit, named
after one of our States.-Why not p
slow, but sure and safe and comfort
able. Our captain was a jolly Irish
man, full of wit and wisdom; man,
gentleman, and in no little sense a
scholar. The name of Capt. Quinn
will ever remind the passengers on
that trip, of happy, comfortable and
cheerful days of ocean life. We had,
too, in the saloon, a company that
rendered the passage pleasant beyond
peradventure. We. numbered thir-
teen in all; two of these were little
children, and the remainder were a
mixture Of old and young, who were
drawn togethersforg this voyage by
that only attraction that can endure,
but which brings all possible discrep-
ancies into harmony where 1t is found,
kindred of spirit. .r4tl<sat.s
Our trip was comparatively with
out incident, as we encountered no
rough weather whatever; but such
sunrise and such moonlight as are
seen on the ocean, must be seen to be
appreciated. When "The god Of
day arises from his nightly bath" the
whole eastern heavens are adorned
with a golden glory that contrasts
beautifully with the silver crests OF
the waves. But the waves never ap-
pearinsuch lovliness, | fancy, as when
the soft light of the moon falls on
them, with intervals in which clouds
fit across her face. and in the mo-
mentary darkness the phosphorescent
light is rolled away in waves, or
dashed in sparkling drops like myriad
Jewels from the PROV of the ship.
The ocean is a place of changeful
moods. one day you are full of glee,
the next you are languid and silent;
indeed one never knows themeaning
of monotony, until he is out on the
ocean in cloudy, dreary day-neith-
er storm nor calm, neither rain
nor sunshine, not sick, not well enough
for conversation. We had one such,
day, and /. think we Should all have
longed for descided storm, but that
the spell was broken in the afternoon
by a little love affair." And by the
way, is it notstrange that these affairs
of the heart, which have hung skele-
tons all about our own memories,
give US so much pleasure when the
misery is anothers? But, to our
story. "A gentleman in the interme-
date fell desperately in love with a
lady in the storage, and, though he
had no business in that part of the
ship, he persistedsin staying by her,
and on this momentous day they were
made the flower of the families" to
which they belonged, in novel way.
AS they were passing the cook room,
arm in arm, some Of the passengers,
having some around them for the
occasion, befoured them both from
head to foot. The next day some of
the boys, l suppose, took their share
of liberty, as boys will, and our friend |
on the promenade with his |
coat tail Ia kite. However, it has
often been seen that love is plant |
that thrives best under disadvantages, |
and this case was no exception to the |
rule; the last we saw of the pair they |
were on their way to London, the |
home of the lady, though aged pa
rents were doomed, for the present,
to look in vain for the expected com
ing Of the son.
On Friday night, the second Fn-
day night out from New York, the
Capt. told US we should see the coast
of Ireland in the morning, and be-
times hundreds of hungry eyes were
on the lookout. But what is that cry
that rings out from the bridget
q Ship, no !-slow-hard starboard,
stop her." And just over the star
I>oor1 how of orr vessel we zee q |