The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-25
Ghe South Iaud.
From he New York Observer.
IN ST. AUGUSTINE
nv MRa & G napptNa

mour Of a Southern moonlight, is unlike,
l believe, any other walk ia any other
place Of the known world. A stroll on the
beach of the Bay Of Naples, with the
moonbeams lighting up the opal waves and
the queer-masted ships riding upon them,
with the dingy old palaces softened aud
tinted, and the very lazzaroni in the streets
clad in "raimcnt and fine linen, is thing
to be remembered; but beneath Florida
night sky, and to look out upon Florida
sea, makes a picture whicn surely shall
not be forgotten until we look Gpoa that
wonderful "sea Of glass, -perhap, not
then; who knows? 1t was at the ending
Of one Of the loveliest Of ali lovely Gays
that we sought the sea-wall for quiet hoSr.
During the daytime, If the tide is high,
few have found any trouble in the narrow
walk, or the sheer descent Of its sides into
the deep, still water; but in the uncertain
ty of the moonlight, everything is changed,
the waves seem to rise up and meet you,
and the firm wall to rock aud to tremble
like a ship at sea.
Generally, at this hour, on such night,
you will met numbers there; but tonight
we saw only two-lovers, we knew-saun-
tering as only lovers can saunter, slowly
towards US. Firm-headed aud entirely
accustomed to this walk from daily prac-
tice, l went carelessly on until met them
looking at the long reach of Anastasia
Island; looking at the beacon lights fash
ing almost imperinently, every now and
then, through the bright moonlight; at the
little boats, sails set, drifting, drifting, like
spectre boats, into the unknown; at the
north beach, white and still, gaunt and
lonely,--and then a sudden terror seized
me. The water had grown black, and
deep, and awful The side upon which
| must step, to pass them, hung over this
abyss; and to move one inch even, nearer
to it, seemed simply impossible. | stood
still, and said, in tone Of rtter helpless
ness -" What shall do y III instant
firm but gentle touch was under my el-
bows, and pleasant, CHEEKY voice said, as
the young man glided by me -" Allow me,
madam !" Before / had time to realize
what had passed, or to thank him, two
smaller but scarcely less gentle hands
Of merriment looked into mine and tbe
ladv said stenning hstween me ana Tho
surging water al am not in the least
afraid; let me take this side" Then saw
them walk awav together. and n tbs;r
deener Interests I have mn doubt tbo ,r;-
fine incident was nj once forgotten. bnt 4
will be ! long time hefore forgst !, T.
pas n trieipe thing but 4 was E;ndlv and
il was courteous and i showed that !, was
a ladv and n gentleman that nassed ,b,t
NIGHT nm The & Angns,;ne sed.waII A.
a nation we Americans are NOT ant 10 do
praceful-often. not kind tbinvs There
fore In this winters soiourn i have been
both astor;sbod and doi;ghtod a. tho ,,,,,,-
Der and variety Of such incidents that have
come under nv Observation.
Genial hearty. GOOD. uatured tbipes are
constantly occurring. 1t gives ono occa-
sion for thanksgiving, every day. that
there is so much that is pleasant and of
good report: but n stem above and bevond
that-a mysterious thing, and as powerful
in its influence as il is mysterious--is This
gentle. biph-bred courtesy. showing itself
in n kindly thouchtfulness for others in n
delicate turn of sentence. and in a deli
cate act of omission or commission, which
ever NAV be required. / would rather
dwell on the housctop with the famous
brawliug woman (and what could be worse?)
than liye-really kipe-with a person want
ing in these traits. Il seems to me they
should be among the first lessons taught
TO children, should grow with their growth
and strengthen with their strength. until
they become that second-natur for whose
faults poor old Adam does not suffer such
unbounded iguominy.
1t is impossible to realize that these
past months have been winter in Florida.
| If | were not prevented by a special re-
Quest. / should like to tell YOU what a time
Of wonders il has been-how the sun has
shoue almost every day, and all day long
how the long rows of orange .rees in the
grove opposite our cottage have dropped
their load of luscious, golden fruit, and
covered themselves with their bridal bloom.
filling our air with their delicious perfume;
how the water oaks in the long avenue
that borders our sand.burdcned street have
shed their old. time-faded leaves and come
out in living green. literally Lpiao green:
how the Pride-of- China trees hang out
delicate purple tasse,s from every bough
aud drop down the swayine brown berries
in disdain; how--but | viii not write an.
other word about this: | will no on. to tell
YOU only two things.
The first, about the season in this New.
port of the South; and the second few
words about expenses here-ouestioas with
regard to the latter being asked every day,
Taking the season as a matter Of dollars
and cents il the pockets Of the hotel and
boarding .bouso keerers I know Int little
That il has been profitable | suppose there
4 NO doubt. Hundreds have come far
days or weeks or months even. AZ time
and money would allow. and have left
here. 10 The hands Of those who provide
for their entertainment enough to nroyc
that with an Il 4 not hard times
In the many curiosity shops Won will
he told hat M sales have ~, roa.had III,
- 49, 1880 - -'~ - ~