The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-05-12

springs. OnCe OeIOre we nau stOOC on us
banks and looking at the seemingly shall
low waters had voted 1t an overpraised
thing Once We had glided by the en-
trance on the St. John. and longed for q
boat to bear US up to its fountain. That
morning we were to find that the third
time was indeed the charmed one.
Thanks to the ladies of the party who
kindly waived their privilege, and to the
same generous hands which had so deX.
trously welded the oars on Lake Monroe,
we were enabled TO see the springs in their
real wonderful beauty. For ope third of
the distance up to the head OF this strange
body of water, we watched with absorbed
interest the gSmbols of thousands of fish
as they darted to end fro beneath and
around our boat, then as the Sulphury ele-
ment became stronger they vanished, leav-
ing US to pursue our journey alone. The
water was deep, lovely blue and crystal
clear as if the sunbeams held there their
court. Like a mirror the bottom, forty
feet beneath, reflected TO US the branches
and the pebbles sirewn over It's surface
but so deceptive was the distance as meas
ured by the eye that more than once Mr.
p. cautiously rowei away from danger.
Gus looking snag looming up near the sur
face, but in reality TOO far beneath us to be
within reach of the oar. An unseen hand
had flung over the fallen limbs of trees
resting IN watery grave Clitlerlng robe
Of colors OF silver, blue and golden, and
with the motion of the oars they flashed
and changed like the hnts of prism, All
too quickly the Spring Garden sounded
the recall from the enchanted land, but a
little cluster OF leaves will always bring to
us the lovely picture oil TIE jeweled ioun-
tain which feeds the 81. John.
Again on the way the hospitable
thoughts Of our hostess, Miss d., were
turued toward the group of passengers
who were to leave us at noon. Soon many
hands were Helping her to make light
work of rapid meal. None too quickly
however, FOR the meal was scarcely conf
pleted and needful preparations made be-
tore the Spring Garden floated up to TIE
familiar De Land landing, and with
thanks to Commodore n for safe ard
pleasant voyage and good wishes and
fareweils for all the rest, five of our party
stepped on shore.
We, who we're left behind, prepared and
enioyed dinner IN leisurely way, while
the cloud, which all through the last hour
had been gathering strength, broke IN
fury. How 1t rained! The great drops
fairly danced on the agitatcd river, while
with content we watched the wild commo.
ton. But the intensity of the storm was
OF short duration, and soon, like grieyed
child, It's fitiul sobblngs left us at liberty TO
trace the wndlngs of the river from the
upper deck.
All day long the Rosa had been pursu-
ing us, and as we entered Lake Dexter her
whistle rang out sharply behind US. The
answering note Of thc Spring Garden was
one of triumph, for she had been ocsrfaLe",
not passed, by the boat which had chased
her through the day.
Through lakes Dexter and Woodruff,
and through Spring Garden creek brought
us to the pebbly banks Of the spring, to
thanks and tarewells to our host and
hostesses and the Others 10 whom we
owed SO much Of pleasure, to a substantial
Florida cab, drawn by gentle, patient
Charley ard last to home.
There reader, with the wish that you too
in the future may be able To 70 to
me. tin" in Florida IN u way rs uniquely
pleasant rs ours was, we hi! you good
nigh LYDIA STRAwN.