The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-03-18
FLORIDA LETTER.
Our Southern Correspondent Dis
covers an "Enchant ed Princess"

FLOHlOA LIE Elk.
Our Southern Correspondent Dis
covers an "Enchantad Princess"
There has been great rush of
northern and western visitors to
Florida this winter. Some come
seeking health, some to escape from
the ravages of the grip and others
pleasure seeking and sightseeing.
Florida is censured for depending
too much upon the large sums left
within her borders by her thousands
of visitors and not sufficiently de-
veloping her own resources. 1t does
seem that with such climate and
with soil which, if properly fertil-
lied, produces crops of various
kinds every season in the year fair
Florida should take tie lead. Large
luscious Strawberries, at the reason
aU'e piie,rs ssiasfsty.iive ccnts a hoy,
have been in market several weeks.
IL sometimes strikes me as being
uncanny to live in country where
there is no winter and | can { divest
myself of the idea that must begin
to pre- pare for storms and cold.
The votaries of Ike Marvel fully
enjoy their favorite sport. as the
lakes around afford unlimited sup
plies of fine perch, mullet, etc. \
party of us formed little picnic II
short time ago (think of it, ice and
snow bound Oaklanders, a jolly pic
mic in FebruaryD and went down to
Lake Harris where the gentlemen
! took II boat Git was rather rough for
the ladies to venture) and caught
some fine fish for dinner. We made
a fire on the beach, boi ed coffee
and fried the fish, and with addi-
ton of canned meat and pickles We
dined royalty.
Willie is good shot and enjoyes
hunting. Some weeks ago he and
two friends camped out over night
on an island and he succeeded in
killing ten fine ducks, several other
birds and q rabbit. lie has also
killed an alligator about six feet
long.
While sojourning in IA little town,
which shall be nameless, came
across romantic incident. ! was
told that there was an invalid living
on certain street, who was always
glad to see visitors, and | deter
mined to call. The house was
one-story cottage, embowered in an
orange grove and nearly covered
with vines. The doors and windows
were tightly closed and there was
no sign of human habitation. |
knocked long and loud, but no re-
sponsc. then walked to the rear
of the building and again knocked.
Soon window was raised little
and key pushed out, while feeble
voice said, "Unlock the door and
come in." All this savored little
of the Red Riding Hood" story of
my childhood days, and it was with
a feeling of awe that | inserted the
key; the door creaked and swung
slowly open and found myself in
u small ante-room. Which way to
turn or where TO 80 knew not, but
! believe my first impulse was to
run away, when voice out of the
! semi-darkness called, "Walk straight
on. ." l did so and found myself in
a room with closed blinds and win
dows and so dark could not dis
cern objects for awhile. On a bed
in the corner of the apartment lay
"A woman young and almost beauti-
full, a round dimpled face and com
pleXion dazzlingly white, dark blue
eyes and with masses of golden hair
scattered on the pillow. Was in
an enchanted palace and was this
the Sleeping Beauty waiting for
the Prince: A white hand was cx-
tended and soft voice said, "You
are welcome. | have been an in
valid for two years; cannot use my
llmDs. l am alone most OF the time.
My neighbors are very good; they
come in and assist me. have TO
keep the doors locked for security" 4"
care you not very lonely?" asked.
"Do you read much?" "No, | am
not lonely and ! seldom read. My
nerves cannot stand the light, " she
replied. fingered only short
time and was glad to escape from
the close warm room into the free
sunshine and air. ! locked the
door on the outside, again the win
dow was was lifted, the KEY taken
in by the shapcly white hand. the
blinds closed and darkness and
silence reigned in the little cottagc.
My impression is that she lacked
will power and needed sunshine, air
and cheerful company instead Of
darkness and seclusion. If | ever
go that way again shall certainly
call to see my"Enchanted Princess. "
Mrs. ID. TAsKER,