Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1878-08-31
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
A Florida Orange Grove.

the Major one morning as l strolled
down to the wharf to enjoy the fine
sea breeze and endeavor to inveigle
some plump trout or crafty red fish to
reel off my line.
"Most assuredly," l replied.
The Majors plantation was eight
miles up the river; the wind was fair,
the sail would be delightful, to say
nothing of visions Of buttermilk,
fresh-laid eggs, and garden vegetables,
looming up in the near future.
In half an hours time we found
ourselves on board the Gem" a fine
little craft which the Majors son pur-
chased in Baltimore and had sent
home by steamer last summer. She
is of light draft round asa soup-plate
and carries enough sail to capsize an
ordinary boat Of ttwice her dimensions.
Up the broad Manitee, one Of the
most tropical streams Of Florida, we
sped, the waters kissing and toaming
about her bow and toying gently with
the Majors coat skirts in the stern,
just the thing for these waters said
he, bringing her up in the wind so
suddenly that her snowy mainsall
tapped, Autterea and finally hung
motionless like The broken wing of
some giant bird. "Ittakas & quick
flaw to catch her mapping
We were soon opposite the ruined
wharf Of the the great Schotield plan
tation, famous before "the surrender"
Everything in the South dates from
that ovent) ior its fine sugars and
sirups. We can see the tall chimneys
of the ruined sugar-house looming
above the umbrella shaped tops Of the
palmettos, and the long stretch of
deadeAed live oaks which extend for
miles along the river front. This fine
estate with two hundred field hands
sold before the war for four hundred
and ninety thousand dollars. 1t is
little more than q Wilderness now; the
half wild Florida cattle range over its
abandoned fields and fatten on the
rich hammock grasses, while so rapid
is the growth of vegetation IN this
semi-tropical climate that a thrifty
second growth of young timber covers
the entire estate.
Across the river at the mouth of
Braicten creek stands the"Old Castle"
a monument to the folly Of an enter
prising northern man who fifty years
ago penetrated this wilderness, clear
ed plantation, built this fine man
sion and laid down and died. 1t has
changed hands nany times since then
aud has been the scene Of Indian
fights, grand balls and fine receptions
in days gone by.
Past many palm-clad isle we glide;
past Scratch Ankle" landing, famous
for its sand flies, and "Rochey Bluff, "
formation Of limestone which rears
its lowning raAparts full three feet
above the level Of the river. Here
the wind begins to cut us oil, cloud
rises in the northwest, the heavens
grow dark and threatening, and a long
black foam crested line is seen APP
preaching lis on the river. Down
comes the sail, out goes the anchor,
and the "Gem' swings her head to
the wind to meet the threatening
wave. Ii strikes her bows and III al
instant We are deIug2d in at least q
half barrel Of salt water. She, how
ever, lights herself and rides the next
one like cork. In twenty minutes
the flaw has subsided, the rain ceased,
the sun is shining brightly and we
hoist our dripping sail and speed On
our way rejoicing.
After an intolerablc hot ride Of All
hours duration from the landing We
caught Il glimpse Of the gables OF the
Majors house poering above the dark
green foliage Of the orange trees, the
approach to ii being through a broad
lane fanked on either side by an old
fashioned Virginia rail fence, while
scattered with artistic irregularlty
through its entire length We're i'm
mense gray-bearded live oaks, the
most stately and beautiful of south
eIn trees.
The house is low, rambling, un-
uainted frame structure with broad
verandas and vide hall running
! through its center, The interior is
neither piastcred, poper9d or painted
and the polished, uncarFoted floors
ring to your tread until they startle
l. xtnr,y y,riD1itIun