The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-02-08
Florida Letter.
Pass View. Fla. Jan. 2.

/
City, Florida, to spend the winter
land at Jacksonville hungry ant
happy. The train was about fou]
hours late; and we were told by th,
Obliging porter that the engine haC
''just too much contraption, sab, toe
much contraption-couldn't possibly
pull it, sah."
Probably the most interesting place
in or around Jacks Onville is the os.
trich farm. This We visited, SEEING
ostriches large and small, the golden
pheasants, and other rare and beauti.
full birds. One ostrich, Oliver W., is
q famous racer, his time being 2:22.
At Jacksonville we boarded steam.
er bound for Sandford. This took us
down one of the most beautiful rivers
in America, the st. John. In some
places it widens into small lakes,
while at other points the boat could
scarcely pass between the banks.
p These banks as ar AS eye could see
were covered with tall pines, palms,
palmettOs, ferns and vines, in places
forming Jungle worthy the pen of
Kipling.
Arriving at Sandford we took a car
riage for Winter Park, a beautiful
little winter resort about twenty miles
from Sandford. After delightful
day we again started southwark, this
time bound for Tampa.
Here we rested several days; then
the eventful and novel part of our
journey began.
Monday, January 7th, about noon,
the seven Of US boarded the schooner
"Blanch." We carried some freight
which was to be left at St. Petersburg,
our first stop, and all sat on top of
the cabin, serenely resting our feet on
kegs of beer, and positively enjoying
the odor from one which had broken.
A light, fair wind took us briskly
along until about four o. m, when it
suddenly died down, and fortunate in
deed were we to reach St. Petersburg
the prettiest, most enterprising places
on the western coast of Florida. Pret-
ty homes with we'll kept grounds, good
hotels and fine climate make an at
spot for the winter tourist.
Tuesday about ten a. m. we sailed
fir ON the dock At ST. Petersburg This
was our banner day. No finer breeze,
clearer sky. or merrier party could be
desired. 1t was an ideal sail.
When we reached the mouth of the
Manatee it was decided TO go up the
river and visit the towns of FOgarty-
vile aud BraidentOwn. 1t was near
sunset as we turned into the river.
which unbroken by ripple lay like a
great mirror rejecting the picturesque
banks and glowing heavens,-a scene
worthy an artist or poet. With no
wind our sails were useless, but the
tide slowly carried US toward our
landing.
''Wnat's in q name?" Fogarty
Gould any name seem less appropri-
ate for the pretty hamlet we had now
reached; one long winding street,
houses scattered among orange and
lemon groves, flowers blooming, and
over an the golden light of the sunset.
The mention of Fogartyville must
hereafter call up pleasant recollec-
lions to us all. Perhaps the most
striking feature of the place was
road made of shells. clay and sand,
which was rs hard and smooth as as
phalt. When we crossed a long bridge
over the river we discovered we had
reached Braidentown. Here we found
some good stores and made a few pur-
:hases. This party differed from 9th
ers in one respect. it was the gentle
men who always wanted to do little
shopping.
We walked back to our boat by
over the glistening white !
'oad. Oar good natured mate had !;
prepared supper, and while eating one
)f the gentlemen tossed crust over
BOARD, saying Cast thy bread upon
he waters,-" s'Yes," spoke up the |
six-year-old, sand if you
10 you'll be short on bread"
AS no wind blew and the tide was
against US, we spent the night In the
larbor, all sleeping soundly and feel
ng ready in the morning for an early
tart. This was Wednesday, January
nh, and with but little wind and that
lgainst us our progress was slow, and |
ar from sure. It was necessary to
tack" all the way: and one lady in !
be party remarked that the art of |
alling seemed to lie in going ia an /
xactly opposite direction from the
'oint one wished to reach: and so it
eally seemed, but by dint of hard
york on the part of our captain we
cached Hunters Landing.
: This is typical fishing village, and
orlOrn and desOl;,te it looked in the
OOnday sun. A number of fish boats
ad just come in and some of the men
ave US mullet for our dinner.
About two p. M. We sailed, or more
properly speaking drifted away from
be landing. What wind we had died
own and It WAS necessary tn anchor.
there Ras no occasion for
aste, but some OF ua, TO whom this
node Of travel HAS new, persisted in
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