The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1853-04-21
Our Trip to Columbia,

1t is ct all times pleasant for to do TINT which
Is regarded as duty. Approaching the salisfac-
ton derived from discharge Of duty, wc contra
ry to our usual practice, at o'clock, a. NJ.
on last Friday morning, and wcndcd our way to
Hodges depot, en- route to Columbia to insure our
Office and procure extra help, SO as not to dsap-
point our patrons.
Arriving ut this point safely, and having half
all hour to spend, strollcd into the store of
COCHRAN, Stokes & Co. in order to satisfy our
selves that they had the extensive stock of Goods
of which We had heard much talk Our cs-
tccmcd friend. Capt. J. w. STOKES, conducted us
through their extensive establishment. From il
knitting needle up to Il hogshcad OF Sugar, (at low
priccs) c,n be bought from our friends.
Upon leaving tho store we were introduced to
IL. T. PEAKE, tho Superintendent of " Sour Road"
a moro modest, unassuning gentleman we have
not met i'll many day; and, from the kind man
ncr that those who know him best speak of him.
aud from close observation, we should say that
the Company IL fortunate i'll having such an agent.
Upon the same train we met an old " Palmetto; "a;
boy" Il. NJ. GILBERT, now condnc:ssSSf and for
mcrIy gallant member Of company +, Palme,-
mn" III terms of praise, every one who knows
him will sustain the following assertion: that for
integrity, industry, and u spirit of accommodation,
he has few equals
Arriving at O'Clock or thcrcabonts, at the Cap
itoi, We were set down at Janney's IIotel"-
We had heard SD much of this hotel that we
thought, perhaps, that warm personal friends of
tiie proprietor may huvc been ied by their
zeal or love for him. to "pnf his establishment %
But " seeing is believing" We found friend
JANNEY" all that the most fastidous could have
desired, and take this occasion 10 recommend his
House 10 public patronage. His gentIemanly ns-
! sstunts, Messrs. HARRIS and EwARr, as Il mark
Of gratitude for d" f;,vors rendered." will permit
us to wish them long life and abundant success
In the transaction of our business, we had only
time to take u " bird's-eyo view" Of our beauti-
full CaPitol. The impression formed, however, is
decidedly favorabc. We think that if the capi-
taliss about Columbia will only make the proper
sort Of effort, they will be enabled TO secure q
hcaVy trade from this section of country, thereby
placing their prosperity upon permanent basis
We attended divine service OIL Sunday, ut hal(
past o'clock P. M. at the Lunatic Asylum, and
must say u moro melancholy sight we have never
witnessed. Here were assembled number Of unfor.
tunate SONS and daughters ofAda, whose intcl.cc.
tuai faculties were diseased upon almost every mat
ter save their duty to visit the house Of God, and
worship him i'll spirit and in truth. AS their pastor
proceeded in the exercises pertaining TO his Office
they seemed 10 regard him with peculiar affection.
We were struck with the melancholy exhibited in
the facc of Il female, and from the fcrvency with
which she sang, and her frequent sighs, wo were
under the impression that it a religious mcIan-
choy preying upon her mind. We found DR.. PAR
kER, the resident Physician and Superintendent,
at his post, and disposed to give all tho infor,na-
ton asked for. We trust that the State will al.
ways cherish and foster this noble institution.
10 tuke it altogether, our trip was decidedly
pleasant. and We hopo to meet our Columbia
friends ere long.