Read "Down South" by Oliver Optic online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Strange as it may seem, the Shepards, though they had resided two winters in Jacksonville, had never been to St. Augustine, or even up the St. Johns River. The state of Mrs. Shepard's health had not permitted her to travel for several years, until the preceding summer. They had simply left the ancient city and the up-river glories of "The Land of Flowers" to a more propitious season in the future.
"How do you like the looks of St. Augustine, Miss Edith? " I asked, after we had passed the civilities of the moment, though I did not venture to present Mr. Kirby Cornwood to the party.