The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-01-04
Correspondence of THE RECORD
A WINTER IN THE SUNNY SOUTH.
LETTER No. 4
GULF PARK, AReo P. O.,

GULF PARK, ARGo P. o.,
PAsoo Co., FLORIDA, Dec. 28, '92.
Our last letter left us at Leesburg, Fla,
giving partial description OF the town.
We will continue.
Here at the Kentucky House they have
cactus plant, which they call the ''great
century plant, and every one that visits
them, they request TO register their names
on the leaves Of this plant. The names
OF all our party are registered there. On
every leaf nearly, you will find the name
aof some person. 1t is quite curiosity
and well worthy of mention. The next
afternoon-or as the people of the South
say-''evening," for right after dinner it
is always ''evening" and never ''after-
noon, you never hear afternoon"
used we took another walk and while
on our travels we stopped at one Of the
drug stores and each partook Of glass OF
soda. This we rather enjoyed, as it
seemed very much like the good cid times
up home, when we girls used to go out
with the boys, every evening, almost, TO
get our glass Of soda, invariably draining
our glasses. There is quite a joke, it
seems, about the two clerks here 10 this
drug store, Of which will tell you. One
Of the young men, very small, rather
slender fellow, they have nicknamed "Be-
fore"-the other, great stout and very
fine-lookiug, healthy young man, they
call "After." Before and after taking
their medicines, presume. The stout
gent is very interesting conversational.
ist. So the writer thinks. We have ar
rived at the conclusion that us Northern
ers are as great a curiosity to these South
ern people, as they are to us. And
l think we are about right in our conclu-
sions, too.
Anywhere around here would be a
delightful spot in which to build a
neat little cottage, on the shores of some
OF these lakes. 1t looks as II nature has
done everything she could for the Sunny
South. For a man of family with small
means, there is no cheaper country than
Florida. The customs and fashions do
not require as expensive style OF dwell
ings or places OF business, as in the North,
and in consequence of this, and the mild
cess of the climate, the strong, tight and
expensive houses OF the North are not
needed here.
The climate Of Florida, taking II the
whole year round, is much more agree
able than any other 10 the United States.
Winters are delightful; most Of the days
are bright and cloudless, and of the most
agreeable temperature. The Waters rath-
er resemble what we people at the North
call the "Indian Summer" except that
the sky here Is perfectly clear, and the
atmosphere more dry and elastic. Rain
but rarely falls during the Winter months,
and three, four and even six weeks of
bright, clear aud cloudless days occur
continuously. This is one OF the greatest
charms of the Winters In Florida.
The Springs throughout Florida are
very numerous, and form one Of the won
ders OF the State. Owing to this mild
and delightful climate, we are permitted
to enjoy life in the open air, with the sea
breezes from the Ocean on the one side
and the Gulf on the other. The mode OF
living without air.tight stoves and hot-ail
furnaces, but with ample ventilation 10,
around and under our dwellings, which
have no cellars, is also great benefit.
II is no unusual thing down here to sill
with the windows open, and it is never
absolutely uncomfortable to be out oil
doors. A good idea of Florida Winter,
may be best had, perhaps, by comparing
the months Cup North), September, No.
vember and May, with the months down
here), December, January and February.
On this bright and beautiful, warm Fri
day morning, we denied ourselves the
pleasure OF walk, for grander pleasure
was 10 store for us, which was the 'Cele-
bration OF Columbus Day." and which was
fitting memento of the brilliant past and
present and prophecy of the future of the
| glorious America.
The exercises OF this Celebration
might be of interest to some OF your read
ers, so will give you a description Of IT,
| as It proved to be very Interesting pro-
gramme, aud rendered 10 most excellent
style. Well. about nine o'clock, A. NJ,
we wendell our footsteps towards the
school building, which was prepared for
the occasion. The pupils were all as
sembled'in front OF the school. After the
reading OF some passages OF Scripture and
prayer, the Principal, Prof. Fulks, read
the proclamation OF President Harrison,
and gave the command for the raising OF
the National ensign. AS the ''Stars and
Stripes" were unfurled to the breeze, the
Leesburg Rifles fired salute and the
whole assemblage sang America" after
which the Leesburg Cornet Band led the
line Of march to Notes Hall, where the
pupils OF the Public School rendered the
following excellent programmes: A song
entitled columbia, :" reading Of Governor
Fleming's proclamation and prayer Mex
followed an address by J. F. Pendleton
a song, "Freedom's Banner" Ode an
other song, "The Red, White and Blue,
and next, which was a very interesting
feature OF the programme was the 'Colum
bian Drill, in which the pupils kept VI
a continual marching, except now ant
then stopping to form themselves into let
tiers, which finally ended In spelling th
word columbus. That was very wei
gottenup and the instructor deserves credit
Next came reading and then Tribute
10 Columbus" and last but not least, wa
an address by Prof. w. r. Melton, whicl