St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1894-09-08
Linda Continues Her Trip TO
Avon Park.
AVON PARK. FLA Aug. 10

AVON PARK, FLA, Aug. 10.
Editor CLARIoN.-When we sep
Grated at my last writing l was
aboard the train at Port Tampa,
ready to go on my journey. The
train moved off at 80, and it took
me ON with her. / sat with WIN
dow open (regardless of the rainy
that / might catch every passing
scene. Tampa City was beautiful,
and its surroundings tropical look
ing. All along the way were grove
after grove OF orange, lemon, BAN
ana and pineapple. / had to
change cars at Bartaw, and to wait
55 minntes for the South Florida
train, which would be my last
change till I reached Fort Meade,
the finale of my railroad trip. At
80 the train pulled into Fort
Meade. Before getting off ! asked
the conductor to recommend ho-
tel to me. / did not find any hacks
or omnibusses at the depot, and
for minute found myself won
dering how / would get up town.
Just then | saw a street car stand
ing on the opposite side of the de-
pot, and / Immediately asked if it
went up town. was told yes, so
/ chose my seat with my satchel
beside me. At the time there was
no car driver in sight, but he soon
came up aud took charge of his
mule, and collected fare 10 cents)
from myself and a gentlemen, we
being the only two passengers he
had. / did not see any lights or
houses, so / inquired how far was
Fort meade from the depot, and
he (the driver answered me zone
mile and quarter, n4a'am,' He
asked where / wanted to stop, and
1 told him at the Adams House,
and i'm little while the car stopped
and he called out adams House."
I got out, and went in, and as soon
as / got supper / went up to my
room and soon to bed. ] left word
at the Office before going qg to my
room that | wanted a conveyance
next morning to go out to Avon
Park. At 7;30 next a. m. there
was horse, buggy and driver wait
ing in front, for me. / was at
breakfast, and when finished set
tied my bill at the Office and started
out for my twenty-five miles drive.
But before l leave Fort Meade in
the distance, let me give you a
little sketch of the town. 1t is
beautiful little town, claiming 500
inhabitants, and Is situated on the
banks OF the famous Peace River,
where the treaty of peace was
signed that terminated the long
and bloody Seminole Indian War.
/ crossed this river as / passed out
of town. Yes. I found the drive
right long, but did not grow more
tired than expected would; the
horses travelled well, the roads were
good, the air cool and breezy, and
the scenes all new to me. Orange
growing seemed to be one of the
greatest industries. / missed the
cotton and cane fields that always
greet my sight when travelling in
Louisiana. About eight miles
from the town of my destination
(Avon Park we came to the Sand
Hills, land of perfect pine forest,
which is interspersed with majestic
live oaks, festooned with our same
gray Spanish moss. OF course the
moss was a familiar sight ta me,
and I know OF nothing more grace
full or dreamy looking than 1t is.
AT last we drove into Avon Park,
and up to the hotel, and the first
view / took of all the surroundings
was very pleasing. After having
dinner I went up to my room and
was soon en- robe for a good after
noon rest. ] was down stairs when
the supper bell rang, and had my
regular place at table assigned me
and thus / began life at Hotel
Verona, for few weeks, intending
to enjoy good rest after the labors
of a lately closed school session.
The people whom ! have met are
all most agreeable, Mr.. Crosby,
ppacffIayT cP |hn EiariHo f4auaTnIa-