The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-26

iorth volumes of crystal water from far
sunken assures, with it's clear surface in
constant tremor as the water pulsates
through the arteries of the earth and find
an outlet in this silver stream threadine
lis cireuitous route through cypress dale
to the weird Ocklawaha. These springs
are about six miles away, and one al
ways nnds 1t enjoyable to visit them; 10
look INTO the depths and admire the deli
cately tinted prisms rejecting against The
shadows Of the overlapping cypress or To
ripple the waters and see the fantastic
contortions of these mirr0red forms; to
gaze a hundred feet into space as 81 were.
ana behold the cooters crawling lazily over
me beautifully carpeted bottom, or watch
the more active fish scurry. away ike so
many blrds. 1t is Wen worth a trip to
Florida to look upon this marvellous series
Of springs 1t was probably some subtle
influence mat prompted Ponce de Leon to
undertake the perilous voyage to this
Land OF Flowers" with a secret intui-
ton that this fountain of youth did exist.
1t is very easy matter to run down to
the springs. 1t is a short drive over good
ROADS, but the preference is generally
SHOWN the wheel, and many gay cycle
parties are wont to spin away and enjoy
the day picnicking there. The new bicycle
path which is now being completed by the
Ocala Cycle Club affords one much pleas
ure awheel. The route traverses ham
mocks of oak and hickory, the cycler Gid
ing along beneath the natural archway
formed by the INTERVIEWING branches from
Whlch are Suspended pretty festoons OF the
grey Florida moss. Passing then into
pine groves, the voice of the zephyrs vi
brate from bough to bough, IN signs that
fall ever so softly upon the ear. These
SOUNDS impress one with the immensely OF
nature-the infinite smallness Of man. and
IN reflective mood the pedaling continues
until some frightened salamander throws
up shower of freshly burrowed soil in
its frantic flight The path now leads the
cycier through forest of gnarled black
jacks, whose branches are concealed by
richly colored autumn leaves, many of
which have fluttered to the ground, over
spreading ii with coat of tan Such is
the route of this pathway until quite near
the springs. The clubs expects that with
in fortnight it will be finished through
the narrow strip of hummock surrounding
the lucid fountain
Boats are here to take one down the
stream or TO Hnger over the outpourng
waters and look into the depths. A swift
little steamer will be here in a few days
for the service of those who may wish TO
explore the charms of the springs or the
surprises of this cypress land
The shooting in this vicinity is splendid
Mr.. Phil +. Brown, manager of the Ocala
house, has kept a record of the quail kill
ed since the opening of the season for
cunning The showing made should GER
tainly be ample invitation for sportsmen
TO come hither From the first day of No
vember TO the 10th day of December there
were 1886 quail bagged by Ocala sports
men, which must prove this to be a favor
lite haunt for these popular birds The
few that have been killed have not appar-
entity diminished the numerous coveys that
use in these parts"
This place has an energetic council, who
are doing their utmost to more thorough
ly modern!ze the city. Active work is now
being done on the streets, and ii is a glad
some sight to see the paving rapidly ex-
tending. Fifteen miles of nicely paved
drives, gas and electric lights, water works
and a sewer system, good hotels and
prosperous merchants ana
a productive surrounding country Is
enough to evoke the gratitude of the peo-
pie.
Tourists who come TO Florida cannot see
its charms or wonders without visiting
here. From this city many attractions,
which belong exclusively to this section,
can be readily seen and points of histori-
cal interest win furnish a fund of knowl-
edge for those who are inclined to delve
into the unwritten pages of the Indian
wars in Florida.