The Republican journal., 1912-04-11


ways got the best of me when he was
alive and now has done got the best of
me when dead, for forgot to take $40
out of my old pants pocket"
This is a composite letter and the party
of the first part will retire in favor of his
silent (?) partner who will add few
notes doubtless of more interest and
greater stimulation to the mind.
1t matters not how many times one
comes to St. Augustine, the charm of
the ancient Spanish city is always new
and one instinctively turns from the
modern, up-to-date, portion to walk
through the narrow streets, explore the
interiors of the oldest houses in the
United States, pass through the memoir
able city gates, and roam through old
Fort Marion, which is most interesting
place and offers rare attractions to me.
But on one occasion [ went with a party
to see dungeon, entered by a subter-
ranean passage, but when the last ray of
daylight vanished from that passage, l
deserted the ranks and fled with more
speed than grace. The fort covers sew
eral acres of ground; it is surrounded by
a moat and entered by drawbridge,
over each end of which is the Spanish
Coat of Arms. A short distance from
the fort are the old city gates and a
small portion Of the city wall. The gate
way is now the only conspicuous relic of
the elaborate system of fortifcation
which once defended St. Augustine. The
gate was closed at night and guards were
stationed in the sentry boxes with a de-
tachment of troops. When the sunset
gun was fired the bridge was raised, the
gate barred and the guards took their
station, and if pater familias had to at
tend COMMITTEE meeting" and held
unusually "good hands,, there was prob
ably vacant chair by that hearth-stone
that night.
There are three houses, each claiming
the distinction of being the oldest house
in America. Judging from appearances
either might deservedly stand at the
head. They are literally filled with
curios of all descriptions, and many of
priceless value, being centuries old.
Either of them is we'll worth a visit.
The night of our arrival fire partially
destroyed one of them, the old ''Whitney
House." and the owner would have
fought valiantly for the title of age, but
he was sick in the house and just then
alone. The fire started in or beneath his
room and aid was impossible. He was
burned to death, within few Incl es of
the door. The front of the house, which
is Of concrete, was saved and probably
the valuable relics also. There are few,
if any, places with population of less
than 1000 that can boast of such magnif-
icent hotels as St. Augustine. The Ponce
de Leon, Alcazar and Cordova rank
among the finest in the world; then there
are countless smaller hotels which COM
pare favorably with the bestin the coun-
try. This year, capacious as they are,
they have all been taxed to the utmost
limit with the unusual tide of travel.
Corridors and parlors have been utilized
for cots, and in our hotel, the Bucking-
ham, long table is laid in the main cor
ridor, leading from the street to the din
ing room. The regular boarders are all
seated first, but the transient guests,
who float in for few days, await their
turn. Perhaps the added attraction of
the. opening of the Key West railroad
may have been one reason for this over
flow.
The natives all tell you what a cold
season they have had; whatever it has
been, soft, balmy airs and summer skies
are now the rule. One day with the
mercury on our veranda registering 86o,
l sat In my room and read of New York
State being storm-swept will snow and
sleet. l will confess that never saw so
much rain south as this year, and unless
you have seen southern rain you have
little idea what it means; no warning, a
cloud, spatter and deluge. The ladies'
of the beautiful Flagler Memorial church
were to have lawn party and every
thing seemed propitious; but alas, at the
appointed hour" a reproduction of
Noah's flood, with some additions, took
place and the affair came off in the