The Florida agriculturist., 1881-07-20
Wayside Notes.
undergo.

Wayside Notes.
Editor Of The Florida Agriculturist:
Thursday, July l, dawned with the
promise of fair weather and cool
breeze, with which we were well
pleased, as we had day of pleasure
in view: About eight o'clock we
started, with NBuck" in the covered
cart, for Altoona and the picnic or
fish fry as some call it. Stopped in
the store where the post. t.office is kept
Tor the mail, but was glad to get out
in the breeze again, for the store was
crowded and there was a lively de-
mand Tor umbrellas. This store is
kept by j. A. Miller, who has lately
added fine stock of dry goods. His
selections show good taste and judg-
ment, better than could have been
expected from one so young in years
and experience.
:. Following the other teams on the
Fort Mason road, we soon turned TO
the left, and there 'mong the pines
the shelter" was built. 1t was COW
cred with live oak boughs, the green
leaves rustled over our heads, tanned
by Northern breezes. The Stars and
Stripes also fioated there, the red,
white and blue seeming to say,
"Union torever;;" and over it all the
sky spread its canopy Of blue, with
now and then vapory cloud floating
in the distance. The spot chosen
was beautiful one, ard they are not
hard to find in Florida: a clearwater
lake was on side, and the>tall pines
everywhere gave plenty of shade for
the horses to Jest under while their
owners were seeking the pleasures
OF the day. TIE cooking had com~
menced when we arrived, and they
were basting the meat which was
roasting over hole dug in the
ground. Live Goals are put in just
far enough from the meat to cook it
slowly, and the savory smell filled
the air with its incense sticks were
put through the meat to hold it in
its place, and thus it could be easily
turned. Meats cooked in this way
retain all their good flavor, and we
think could not be excslled. Hun
ters and trappers in the far west have
had many savory piece cooked in
this manner, where the outside air
gave a relish and an appetite that
could not otherwise be acquired.
There were over two hundred on the
ground, and the oldest couple were
Mr.. aud Mrs. Thomas ]. Hinson, Sr.
He is now nearly fourscore, and she
some four years younger. They bad
six sons and fourteen grandchildren
present, and one daughter and six
teen grandchildren absent. Age
sits lightly upon them, and they have
a pleasant smile for all. Their faces
seem good 10 look upon, and they
seemed to enjoy themselves as well
as any. And why should they not !?
The heart never grows old by age,
and they that keep it pure have it
lightened by the promise that "they
shall see God" May they continue
to comfort each other tor many days
to come, and together at last enter
the "blest abode And there were
little ones who had just commenced
the Journey OF life, OF ali ages, from
lew months upwards, and yet We
dldnt remember of hearing q cry
from any OF them; there seemed to
be a soothing influence in the air that
was contagious. We never heard a
proiane word, or saw rowdyism in
any form, and don't think a more or
derly crowd could be found. A lit.
tle way from the tables was stand
where they sold candy, melons and
Ice lemonade, which latter waa a
farlty here, and 1t aoaS good in the
superlaIlVe degree, and even there
everything was so still aud quiet you
might suppose they were selling
tickets Tor the underground railroad,