Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-10

From the hotel the ground slopes
gently down TO = tiny lake = few rods
distant, and We were told that an Inn
mense alligator Was safely corralled Al
the waters edge, and ms size MAS sucn
AS would amply repay visit. Nearly
every nls me OF our party had visited
bis sAurianship Sefore learned OF his
existence, but IN COMPANY with q
friend . visit was made 10 the reptile.
At first there was nothing visible except
4 large box-Iike arrangement of frAl
wire netting, partly Ia the water and
partly upon the land. Within TINS en-
closure there vas an object resembling
an immense brown log fully fifteen
feet in length. We approached care
iessly, and after gazing At the supposed
log Tor . few moments discovered that
II was not Of the forest woody, but Was
of the aniphlblan, reptiIian. IN fact II
MAS the alligator which We sought, and
his wicked little eyes were surveying US
with . look not friendly, To cay the
least. He crouched there silent, mo-
tionless, vet with q suggestion OF re-
serve strength unreasonable. After
the shock OF discovery we were speech
less, nor did We advance or recede.
Finally, after pause more pa,nfni TO
us than TO the beast, our eyes fell upon
. painted sign hitherto unnotlced. 1t
read
''DoS'r ANNOY THE ALLIGATOR"
There was q preciptate flight and a
second later two individuals with
greatly accelerated breath sat upon a
rustic bench at the top of the hill. and
while neither admitted any fear yet
both acknowledged curiosity satisfied.
Our party left Winter park before
noon and were supplied with an elab-
crate lunch on board the cars from
several hsmperso of good things provided
by the Plant system. In the afternoon
a stop was made at Winter Haven, .
small railway station, where thirty or
forty vehicles provided, by the farmers
in the immediate vicinity were IN wait.
ing to convey Us through the country
for q six-mile drive. 1t was our first
close view of Florida farms and We
enjoyed it greatly There were large
fields of tomatoes, one OF which en-
closed ninety acres, many OF the plants
bearing the red fruit at the time.
Bananas and other fruits were visible
IN abundance, as were also the various
products of the truck garden. green
peas, string beans, etc. The ride con-
cluded with visit to the fine farm
home of DR.. Furman, a former Buck
eye man, who has gained wealth and
happiness in Florida, where his land is
bearing oranges, lemons, bananas, pine
apples and strawberries. At his home
We Toasted upon strawberries fresh from
the garden of the doctor and his
farmer friends, and though the berries
were selling at So per quart there was a
generous supply with rich cream and
angel cake. Before departing each vs.
itor was presented with boutonniere
Of fragrant sroses and other flowers,
and our visit ut this point will always
be remembered as one of the most de-
lightful of the entire trip.
We were due at Lakeland. point a
few miles further south on the s. F. g.
w. railroad, for the 6 O'Clock dinner,
which proved to he banquet, ten
dered by the citizens of that enterpris-
ing city. A brass band greeted us at
the depot and escorted us to the
fremont house, where the stars and
stripes floated grandiy in the soft
southern air IN our honor and where
the mayor, Mr.. Drane, welcomed us
with words Of cordial greeting. On
SbtSAhte thO oiufts9 iOObbs WIZ
amazed at the magnitude OF the pre-
parations for our welcome. The walls
were completely covered with large
green palm leaves. arranged in artistic
figures and designs. while tropical
fruits in great variety banked the win
dows and mantels with sprays of
flowers and vines adorned and crowned
them all. In the center of the room
there was bnilt up from a foundation
of massive grape fruit resting unon the
floor solid pyramid of fruit and
| flowers. The tables we're garnished
with blossoms and a moro delicious re-
past, embracing all the southern deli
cacies. was never set before guests. j.
II. A. Bruce. the proprietor, gained the
friendship of every person present by
announcing that the celery which
graced the tables was from the
famous lowlands of kalamazoo, he
having ordered it from the growers out
of compliment TO the Michigan party.
We sat long ut the tables and listened
to eloquent speeches from both enter
tanners and guests, mutual exchange
Of courtesies being INDUCED in. We
were 10th to leave. even when an en-