The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1909-02-22
WITH AUNT BECKY.
The Beauties of Nature-An
Experience on a Florida Lake
The Passing of Southern
Manners and Costumes.
Correspondence of The Robesonian.

lhe Passing OF Southern
Manners and Costumes.
Correspondence of The Robesonan
1t is warm today, and | am
sitting enjoying the breeze and
the landscape, which, though for
the most part brown, is relieved
by the dark rich green of the
stately pines, whose plumed
crests wave in solemn grandeur
near the back doors of our dwell
ing. | am a great lover of trees,
and have always interposed to
save them from the woodman's
axe, even when it seemed that
one might be spared. During a
sojourn of 40 years they have
grown from saplings into large
and beautiful trees, and though
speaking not with the tongues of
men, yet they have in a sense
become as a part of my family,
and in them | am daily reminded
Of the handiwork of God and the
sublime works Of nature
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made its glowing color,
He made its tiny Wing'-
and no works of art, however
perfect, can in any wise compare
with the beauties so lavishly
spread abroad upon this great
world which He has created.
These balmy days put US in
the notion of gardening, but lit
tie has been done in that line ex-
cept to put out cabbage and onion
sets. l am anxious for spring
time to arrive so that | can go
fishing" again, though my part
ner" will be in school for some
time to come, and can't venture
to go alone. [ never could induce
the Squire to accompany me
it seems that after hunting fol
''big game" during the COS he
has a contempt for anything SC
trivial, but he has no objection tt
eating his share of the finny
tribe when they are caught.
uever backed out from fishing
but once in my life, and tha
; was down in Florida some years
ago, when | was on a visit to m,
two sisters. They lived in tn
beautiful little town of Melrose
which was bounded by lakes Of
the east and west, one of which
Lake Santa Fe, was 8 miles long
and four wide, with a dept
! ranging from 20 to 60 feet
, One day my brother-in-law, VIII
was intensely fond Of fishing
persuaded me out in little fish
ing smack, upon the bosom o
the deep" With some misgiv
ings | finally assented q ha
twice in my life narrowly escal
ed drowning} and we starte
forth armed with a supply {
tackle, and squirming worms
Passing through a magnifcer
orange grove laden with tn
golden fruit, for it was in Noven
Der, we came to a little COW
where his little boat was meoret
and soon we were out "at sea"
for SO it seemed to me. Tt
waters of the lake were clear ;
;, crystal, and looking down I W;
Mortified at the limitless deptl
and feeling rather nervous, bl
ashamed of appearing coWardl
| was trying to conceal my tie
F. ror, until presently we ran in
- vast bed Of the largest .'bo
nets" ever saw. Now" sa
my companion, this is the hor
- of the alligators, but don't S
H. any around today" Well, tn
/. was one straw too many and
- began pleading to be put
shore. After using ever persu
sion and argument possible in
vain attempt to reassure me, r
brother turned the prov Of
boat to land, and with gre
gasp of relief and gratitude
bade farewell to the Florida la
and bounded in safety to tel
frma", while he resumed
sport and returned some hol
later with a fine string of fish
The weather and the wa
down there never got too cold
interfere with this sport, and
lakes were literally alive W
fish, and alligators too. Ab
that time Northern tourists W.
going wild over jewelry m;
~ from the teeth of the "gat'
III and paying fancy prices for a
n cles of this kind, so that hunt:
X for and killing them in order
extract the molars was profits
business. One night a yo1
man who was boarding at
. sisters went cut on the IL
taking a bundle of tarry splint
D.. by which to shine their eyes
- his gun, and when he came
about 10 o'clock was jubi
over his success, having kille
ne The Secret of Long Life.
IN A French scientist has discovered
SC