The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-02-23
TIE aTIN cANv TOURIST


| To the Editor Ocala Banner:
Under the title of Knocking the
Knocker," you printed, few weeks
ago, some observations of "Saunter-
err" in the Sanford Herald.
You may not have endorsed all of
the sentiments expressed therein, but
| by giving them room you may have
caused quite another class Of "tin
can" tourists to feel bit uncomforta-
BILE.
| "Saunterer" must know that, like
other tourist sections, Florida is not
exempt from extortions. They are
not confined to the towns, either, but
may be met in the woods also, where,
with the robins, one may be escaping
the zero weather of the north.
| Because sojourner finds it better
/ suited to his taste-or pocketbook-
| to come here with his trunk full of
apples, potatoes and dried beef, rent
g. cheep room and spend ten cents a
! day for crackers" is it a good reason
why he should not be allowed to ex-
! press disapproval OF some exorbitant
price that he may have run against?
| "Cocky and self-conceited" he may
be. Doubtless some tin-canners are,
but don't jump too hard on them
while letting the important, common
place, uncultured. newly-rich escape
the lash of ridicule. Bad breeding is
not confined to those of Limited
means. Offensive manners are &C.
casionally found. outside their circle.
"Saunterer" welcomes the real
tourists and remarks that they come
from good homes, take life easy, pay
as they go and have no kicks to reg
lister" The writer knows some tin
can tourists who come from good
homes" also. Music, books, pictures,
comfortable and attractive furniture
are features of those homes. But the
heads of those homes may have chill.
dren whom they wish to start in life
or they may be giving quite largely
to the church or some charitable in
stitution, and prefer to sacrifice some
personal convenience for the sake
O.. it.
On the other hand there may be
tin-canners who are thoroughly re-
spectacle, yet own no home at all
Clergymen, teachers, students seek
ing diversion or health may be found
in this class, and though quiet and
unassuming, they may not relish
"Saunterer's" facetious soubriquet
The "chivalry' have not been very
much of factor in building up Flor.
ida, and while "Sounterer' is lifting
his hat to the northern millions, ii
may be we'll for him to remember that
the dimes of the ''tin can tourist" are
of some value-to the obscure gro
ceryman at least.
To the "chivalry," no doubt, the
Yankee owes the attribute of stingi
ness, which, in the south, is so gen
orally attached to him. To the easy
going planter of the old days the
Yankee school master or itinerant
peddler may save seemed penurious
His thrift, his faculty for turning
any old thing to account, his care oil
small items in settlements, ETC., were
denominated ''stingy."
Was Christ ''stingy" when he di
rected his disciples to gather up the
scraps left after the miracle of the
loaves and fishes? BY this act he SET
I, q perpetual example of proper econ
omy, and if "Saunterer" should visit
northern resort next summer he
may come with his trunk full OF
sweet potatoes, bacon and grits, rest
ing assured that no Yankee will hold
him up to ridicule for it but on the
other hand will commend him FOL
sensible economy.
TIN GAMER.