The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-03-16
ates the memory of the staunch old Latin

ates the memory of the staunch old Latin
monk
The last stop on the drive was at the
museum, where we examined some queer
Old manuscripts and books, and saw
many curiosities of land and sea. Then
we drove back To 'fairy-land" and en-
tered the magnificent court of the
Ponce de Leon, where semi-trOpical veg
citation delights the eye and the musical
ripple of fountains charms the ear. We
gathered in the magnificent parlors and
studied the beautiful paintings upon the
walls, gaZed at the delicate tinting of
the ceilings where dimplcd cherubs float
amid garlands of roses, and admired the
exquisite taste that had blended the
shades of carpet, tapestry, and drape-
ries into one harmonious whole. Then
we rambled through the courts and
parOrs of the Alcazar and CordOva,
each so different aud yet each SO beau
tiful.
Returning to the Ponce de Leon for
supper, we found the dining room and
all its appointments in perfect keeping
with the rest. The fine table linen del
icate china, and fragile glassware max
ing one wonder whence came the do
care. Altogether we could easily have
believed that we were dining at the TIA
BILE of some royal prince, and were ready
To accept the assertion that this is the
finest hotel i'm America. 1t may not be
out of place to add that its furniture
came mostly from Grand Rapids, Mich.
After dinner the orchestra gave us "a
musical treat which charmed us into
fItln # hn hnut. hat Al
were compelled To make rush for our
train. 1t was special which General
Supt Crawford of the st. Augustine q
Halifax River Il. II. had procured for
us in spite of the unusual press of bust
ness that made it well-nigh impossible.
Except for his timely aid, we should
have been delayed some ten or twelve
hours; and, though we could have made
good use of the time in ST. Augustine,
yet it would have disarranged all our
plans for the rest of the trip and been
a great Inconvenience to us. At Palat-
ka our car was transferred to the regu-
lar vestibuled train, so that we awoke
next morning at Sanford, the home OF
our good friend Col. Elliott
From this time throughout our Flor
ida trip we were made to feel as if we
owned the earth and the fulness there.
of, or at least that part of it comprised
in the long, narrow peninsula that sep.
arates the waters of the Mexican Gulf
from the blue Atlantic. Proceeding to
the Sanford House, we listened TO a
most cordial speech of welcome from
Mayor Harris, and were then refreshed
with bountiful breakfast, rendered by
the generous citizens. Returning to the
train, we found our travelling quarters
enlarged by the addition of a baggage
car and day coach, the latter most beau.
tiful decorated with flowers and vines
by the skillful fingers of Mrs. IL. M
Bowler, wife of the master of trans.
portation on the South Florida IL West.
ern r. r., branch of the great Plant
system The train over this portion OF
our route was under the personal super.
vision of b. Il. Swoope. superintendent
of this line, who, together with Colonel
Elliotts loyable wife, proved most
welcome addition TO our party.
Although we had seen many isolated
orange trees, and had grown quite ac-
customed to the contrast of their glossy
green leaves with their golden fruitage,
we had as yet caught only fleeing