The Republican journal., 1915-04-08
city. Their home was built BY and
formerly owned by the late Joseph JEFF

formerly owned by the late Joseph JEFF
ferson.
While in Palm Beach we had the pleas
ure of attending garden-party in the
Tea Garden of the Hotel Poinciana one
afternoon. and it was charming. The
garden is in the midst of natural cocoa
nut grove. The trees are very tall and
naturally bend in toward the center.
forming perfect canopy overhead; there
is no underbrush and the ground is as
smooth and level as floor. All through
the trees and in festoons and chains were
strung hundreds of red incandescent
bulbs, and when lighted the effect of the
red lights against the dark green foil
age was indescribable. Small tables,
seating four to six persons, were daintily
laid under the trees, where buttered
toast, sandwiches, tea and cakes, were
served by colored walters, while color
ed orchestra furnished good music and
the young people INDUCED in dancing.
All this in the open air, in mid-winter, is
something novel, to a Northerner, at any
rate.
Since my last visit to West PalmBeach
the growth of the city is very apparent.
Public buildings, residences and parks
have sprung up everywhere and hand
some f1ourishing city is already in evil
dence. From there we came to St. Au-
gustine, the famous "Ancient City, "
and are now pleasantly located in con-
venient apartments. Our rooms are large
and airy and SO front that the sun fol-
lows US around all day. The weather in
its temperatures has not as yet shown
its best side. Everyone is complaining
of the unusually cool weather and little
fire at night is necessity. AS write
l have little gas stove burning, and l
am glad to say gas is less expensive than
at home. Our entire fiat is heated and
lighted by gas, and cooking, also.
We are next door to the Hotel Buck
ingham, where we see our home friends,
Mrs. Fessenden, Mrs. Pendleton and
Miss Gammans, almost daily, which is
an added pleasure. l regret that they
are to leave on the Both inst. on their
north-bound way. ST. Augustine is filled
at present with tourists as are all the
Southern resort cities. Not so much has
yet been done toward reconstruction in
the burnt district of the disastrous fire
OF 1914, as we had expected. 1t is rather
discouraging outlook, but time will
make an improved city, though the
priceless landmarks and relics that are
come canot be replaced
We attended Bazaar at the Casino
one afternoon, an annual event given
by the Kings Daughters, the proceeds
to be appropriated to charitable pur-
poses. 1t was very deliberately and artis-
tically arranged, with many interesting
and novel features, among them a Turk
ish Bazaar, where fortune-telling was
carried on by ladies, gentlemen and chill
dren, dressed in costume with their tur-
bans and wells, SO perfectly carried out,
it would easily deceive native. The
attendance was very large and l learn
the receipts will be upwards of 81, 700.
Fruit is plentiful and reasonable in
price. Strawberries are in the market
at 20 cts. per box. They look inviting,
but sugar plantation in connection
would be an asset worth considering;
however, a weeks sunshine will work
wonders. The stores here are very attract
i've; one of the finest grocery stores Ihave
seen anywhere has about everything a
family needs, including a new meat
market and bakery where fresh rolls,
doughnuts and cake can be purchased
every day.
But my letter has exceeded The Jour-
NAILS limit, fear, so | will close by say
ing to any Belfast friends who may find
themselves in the "Ancient City, prior
to May LIST, you will be welcomed at sc
Cedar street, near the Alcazar.
A. S. F.