The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-03-02
CONTRASTS.
To the Editor ocala ,Bannasj


1t is a very notable event that with
in the channels of life of every indi-
yidual that there are important
changes which result in a change of
life either for good or for bad. Not
that / wish to discuss the different
characteristics OF every individual that
j approach in this manner. but to
draw connective parallel between the
change of life and the change of the
country.
Every individual has a peculiar in
stinct, which is single to itself and Is
the result of Inheritance or a fixed
habit.
Every country has ire peculiarities
of it's own development which change
only as old Master Time passes his
furrowed fingers over them and cause
them to blush at his continual yet
hasty visits.
These changes have been taking
place ever since the component parts
of matter were thrown out into faith
omless space and will continue to go
on until Old Master Time shall fold
hishoiry wings and lay his sceptre
down.
It was only a few days ago that my
eyes first looked out upon your charm
ing and animatlng country. and at
length, encompassed some Of the bea"-
ties which this country Is fortunate
10 have, but 1t has been twenty-three
summers since first saw the light OF
the world and gazed out upon the vine
clad hills and grassy valleys of mid
die Alabama where nature paused as
he passed over, opened forth his rich
wallet and left reasonable share OF
his richest stores to welcome the COM
ing OF man.
Here I have seen the contrast" and
my imagination was at once carried
to the zenith OF appreciation of the
fact that Natures gifts are justly pro-
rated in different parts of the country.
In yonder country from whence l
hail you can see at a glance the PIN
nacle of many hills as they are dec
GRATED with finest OF grain or the
heeciest of cotton. Here, you look up
on vast forests of pine and cypress
which can be utilized and turned in
TO monied wealth.
Here, you can constantly hear the
buzz and whiz OF the saw mills and
turpentine stills while in yonder land
you scarcely hear anything but the
quiet hum of the happy farmer as he
performs his daily task.
Here. you find the country dotted
here and there with ponds and lakes
which afford a fine recluse for mos
uuitoes and alligators, while in yon-
der land yau can look down the wind
ing valleys which are cut by placid
streams of water which afford for
midable water power, and thus the
greater part of our machinery is kept
in motion. Your streams are utilized
by the continual movement of steam
ers which ours are broken now and
then by great rock shoals which make
il impossible for boats to traverse
them only to limited degree.
Your country produces the most
luscious and delicious fruits which Of
fers an opportunity to accumulate
fortunes and make life a perfect par
adise. we boast of our .nexhaustible
mines of iron, coal and graphite.
You can take pride in your great
mineral springs which are a tone to
broken health but we still sling to the
canl drink which we draw by bucket
from the depths OF old mother earth.
Her you are enchanted by the sweet
bi., es which are waited from the
seas WHY we gladly welcome the
twirirg winds from the hills and
ru2g. mountains. Not only have
been charmed by your beautiful cOun-
try but ! find people here who are
more am able and hospitable than are
Gft-n found in other places elsewhere
extend to them my personal thanks
for the hospitality and congenial man.
ner with which l have been treated
by those I have had the good fortune
u meet.
II The Fates are willing l will be
rcre in your midst quite a while and
you viii probably hear from this same
scribbler often.
Many thinks, dear readers. for your
undiV ded attention. and 1 now bid
YOU adieu until, at length, I'VE meet
az III ny hook or crook in some other
sorry book"
X H. GAINES.