Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-03-14

and fruits We had fun view Of the
ocean ct many points. and more than
once, to avoid the deep sand of the road
which was almost impossible for our
little ponies. CIR coach was driven on the
hard beach, where the tide would send
its waves a foot or more up the sides OF
the wheels. We expected to pass on to
Fajarno to spend the night, but while we
We're waiting in the plaza OF Naguabo for
Perry Lippitt to attend toseme business,
| was accosted by Mr.. Preston. whose
wife came down on the Coamo with me
and proved to be a very agreeable lady.
These chance acquintances often turn out
this way. Mr.. Preston insisted on our
going to his plantationto spend the night,
which we We're glad to do. in order to re-
new our acquaintance with Mrs. Preston
and TO avoid night at Faj srdo Mis-.
Preston received us most cordially ard
we greatly enjoyed our visit. She is
from Boston and finds the climate there
III winter too harsh for her, so that she
spends about half OF each year in Porto
Rico. They are people of wealth and re-
finement and are very hospitable aud
cordial. They have large orange grove
near their house. which is located on the
bank of a beautiful stream, and al the foot
Of the highest mountain on the island
some 5000 feet high. In sight of the
house is fine stream of water falling
down the steep mountain side. They
have great variety of flowers. among
the rest magnificent Marshall Neill rose
from which Mrs. Preston sent some love-
ly specimens to Mrs. Lippitt. Some of
the trees we have in Jefferson do not sue
coed with them, as for example there is
one apple tree. as also pear tree. several
years old. which have grown to be about
feet high, and there they have stopped
and produce no fruit. The Moon and
Venus and Jupiter and other stars were
as beautiful as they could be and added
to the attractiveness of this picturesque
locality.
After an early breakfast next morning.
we babe adieu to our kind hosts, return
ing TO Naguabo and making our way to
Fajardo in time Tor breakfast at noon.
FaJardo is also in very fertile section,
watered by numerous small streams.
usually so shallow we should drive across
them, but at two places we were ferried
across in a very primitive way. not at all
equal TO the ferrvt oats at Shannondale,
Mannng's or Keyes' OH the Shenandoah.
At one of these ferries our coach was
taken across IN the boat, but at another
we were obliged to leave it. as the sand
and boulders in the bed of the stream
made su CHI an obstruction that the coach
had to be relieved Of our weight. We
were taken across part Of the way in a
small rowboat. The other and greater
part of the crossing was on a bridge, so
called, being no wider at any part than
single narrow plank. over which for
distance as great as the width of the nam
street IN Charles Town, we made our un-
certain way The thin boards were sup
ported on rocks from which they might
easily have slipped off into the water
AS we walked upen them they had also
much of the up and down motion of the
springboard of the circus tent. As | was
stiff from age and long sitting IN coach
where the springs were very poor, or non
existent, had some difficulty in making
my way across the bridge and came very
near tumbling into the water, which
would have been a misfortune. as would
have been soaked through and through.
without change of clothes and several
hours from home. Butthe boatman took
in the situation with which he was no
doubt familiar, and coming promptly to
my assistance offered me his push pole.
With that help | was soon in the boat
and safely on the other side, grateful to
him.
Between Naguabo and Fajardo and on
70 mo 1ldHoe we SAW many slndii iSldhuS
off the eastern end of Porto Rico. Among
these is Culebra where our fleets in these
seas are often seen. The Danish island
of st. Thomas is in sight in clear weather.
1t is said that gold is found in the sands
of the many rivers of this section, but
the people can make more money in the
production OF sugar. Many of the plant
ers, when sugar commands a fair price
Concluded on fourth page.)