Mower County transcript., 1893-05-03

goblins' mouths among myriads of gold
fishes. the scene is truly enchanting, and
for the moment one seems to be removed
from earth and planted in another sphere.
The grand walks and gardens rich in
trees and flowers. with date palms. pal
mettos. creamy magnolias. scarlet pom
granates, lilies, verbenes, vines here and
moss there. cedars on this hand bananas
on that, truly wilderness of beauty
The inner designs and furnishings, my
| dear reader, I shall not attempt to de-
scribe. They are beyond pen to describe.
The great round dining room. like i'm
mense circular bay windows. fronting
east and west out on the lovely gardens
and fountains, walks and drives. The
great office with it's carved columns,
oaken panels, mosaic floors, marble steps,
recesses and fire places, are all on the
most costly and tasty, perfect plan. The
grand parlors, capable of accommodate
ing more than 100 guests. with its ebony
and gold settees, chairs, lounges, stands,
tables, etc.; the velvet carpets and rich
upholstering. immense oil paintings
adornlng the walls, and single fire place
of the most beautifully polished stones
alone costing $4,000, make picture so
lovely and enchanting as never to be
forgotten. ..."
In front of the Ponce de Leon is one
large plaza, on one side of which is the
beautiful Alcazar, and on the other the
! Cordova. All three hotels are owned by
81. NJ. Flagler who has, I am informed,
invested nearly ten millions IN the i'm
proving and building up of St. Augustine.
! There are score of other houses cap
able of caring for thousands of guests
IN the city, but the three aboye named
are the principal ones.
The memorial Presbyterian church was
built by Fl. NJ. Flagler and presented to
city. 1t cost upwards of $150,0OO, and
Is finished on the interior IN the shape of
cross. All the interior is finished in
pure white and beautiful in design. The
furniture in walnut and rosewood is
splendidly uph olsterod. The grand pipe
organ is at the back of the pulpit with
the organist and choir invisible. This
IS called one of the finest churches in
America, and 1t would appear that moth
ing could be added to its beauty. We
have had the pleasure of attending SER
vices three times within its walls, and
wished that Sunday might come every
other day during our stay in the old city.
| Before leaving we do not forget to
charter one of the white winged sail
boats. take run out on the bay. up the
Matawyas river, gather few bushels of
oysters, and while we cross over to enjoy
ramble on the beach gathering shells
and sea beans, haye the skipper prepare
a brush heap and have it ready to light
on our return, pile on a couple of bushels
of oysters, then fire away. In a few
minutes the shells begin to crack and
they are ready. Now if you don't admit
that they are the finest favored oysters
you ever ate will pay for the oysters.
The cost is the picking up on shore The
sail, the air, and surroundings all tend to
give us an appetite, and you will sur
prise yourself at the quantity disposed
of. Reluctantly we turn away from the
old city, yet with a longing for home
aud an end to our five months exile.
We have escaped the rigors of the hard
winter, have met many friends and
formed many acQuaintances. We have
passed many pleasant hours IN this semi
tropical climate and escaped much MIS-
cry during our sojourn here, and meyer
do we wish to forget the kindness of
those who So thoughtfully offered their
help to us in our need.
In few days, like the carrier dove, we
will circle around, get our bearings and
be on the wing for home, that dearest
place on earth, home, where we hope to
be once more. Ex-Ex1LEs.
| Strength and Health