The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-05-23
The Second Prize Essays
On Civic improvements
Papers Written by Members of the Ninth, TENTH Eleventh
and Twelfth Grades.

When Arbor Day came, Mar
planted trees, and urged all of he
neighbors to do So This resulted i
great number of little trees, whic
would grow into big trees that woul
make shady resting places for tn
toot-sore traveller And every yea
an ever-increasing number of peopl
planted trees.
Meanwhile, the little trees frs
planted were rapidly growing into
big trees, and while the little trees
were growing, the little city was
growing also, and while Palatka was
growing, Mary had grown to be an
attractive young woman of eighteen
Her hair was growing darker, and
Palatka was well on its way to be-
coming the beautiful city she so
longed to see it grow into; so Mary
was very happy.
Happy? Yes, but not entirely sat
isfied, because she had seen the neg
leeted A. c. L. park and because she
knew 1t gave bad impression of Pa
latka to newcomers. She resolved
to make it one Of the most attractive
places in the city before another year
had passed.
And soon this neglected park was
covered with beautiful green grass:
and flower beds, and trees and shrubs
united their efforts to make it beau
tlful, while fountains played all day,
and gold fish played "hide-and-
in shady pools, and tierce-eyed alliga-
tors lay IN others and watched the
passing throng.
Then Mary saw the possibilities of
River street becoming Riverside
Drive, if the mills and factories, and
boat houses could be moved away:
so she set to work at once to con-
vince others Of the strength of her
plan. She spoke to the "Woman's |
Club" and to the Board of Trade"
and to the leading citizens. She ex-
pe9rlenced many disappointments, but
when at last, she saw her dream had |
become a reality, she forgot her dis
and her delight knew
no bounds.
One day, Mr.. Maurice Clinton, son
Of a New York capitalist, and a born
reformer, passed over this beautiful
drive, and viewed its beauty with ever
Increasing wonder. Can this be the
same place | came to years ago, the
same Palatka, or can this beautiful
iriVe be the old River street where
80 many eye-sores used to exist, or
an this park be The vacant lot | have
passed so often, or can that lovely
Jed of pansies mark the spot where
junk heap stood?
| had thought to have had the
Ieasure of making Palatka over my
ell, but 1t seems some one else has
orestalled me, a mere girl too, they
ay, and yet | could have done it no $
etter: | wonder what she is like
owe, I'd like to meet her.
And the drive stretched away into A
ne distance, bordered on both sides 5
y noble oaks, eXquisitely draped with
parish moss, and tall, straight 4
aims, standing like sentinels on :
uard, with the row of stately homes
n one side, each with its smooth, +
reen lawn, sloping toward the river, d.
'ch seemingly trying to rival its 8
elghbor in perfect neatness and or n
er, with the noble st. Johns on the n
her side, where now and then one n
'uld catch a glimpse of white sail. :
the boats glided past d
Then the drive and its beauty tool,
cond place in his thoughts. for he V;
as thinking of the girl who had 81
me 50 much for Palatka; and as he Il
ought, he wondered if he would n
eet her. Al
And meet her, he did, in the course Il
time, and fell in love with her. and
arrled her, too. And now together NJ
ey are carrying on the good work De
at Mary began alone. Will you not III
Up them? Al