Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-09
For the Spectator.
A Trip to Florida....No. ii.

that State are about as likely to have as muc
light on the cases submitted to their decision, 9
they could have under any arrangement what
ever. In one Of the cases, q man and his wit
were tried for 9 combined attempt to take ava
life. The defence in this case was about as able
and at times as amusing as any to which eve
listened. Though did not learn the verdict
have no doubt it was an acquittal.
In some parts of Alabama there is yet consl
derabe remnant of the Beaver Though thes
animals are entirely harmless, for they stay il
the swamps far from the habitations of men
and though no use is here made of either thei
skins or flesh, yet are they eagerly hunted aDt
killed. Such is the barbarous pleasure OF bar
barous boys
"If mans convenience health or safety
Interferes, his rights and claims are
Paramount and must exiinguish theirs.
| Else they are free to live, and to
Enjoy that life, God was free
| To give II at the first"
All human aud tender feelings are blunted ant
often obteraied by practices of which but LITTLE
is thought. The great tyrant Domitian is sait
to have spent much of his time IN catching ant
then killing flies with bodkin. The result was
that he was soon ready for any cruelty his vice:
might suggest.
In this country there was n boy who delight.
ed to give pain to almost every animal that came
in his way. When he grew up he becume a
soldier, and it is said that no sight pleased him
so much as the sight of human blood, and nc
music was SO entertaining as the groans of the
dying on the field of battle. Before many years
he attempted TO betray his country. On being
| found out he ted tn foreign land where he
lived despised and died in disgrace. His name
was Benedict Arnold
| After spending ten days very pleasantly in
Alabama resumed my journey to this State
1t was my original intention to go to Pensacola
and then come east to Madison in the upper end
of this Peninsula but when got To Hainvile
found that certain projected Railroads were not
completed. 1t was necessary therefore to change
my plan. | came therefore by private convey.
ance to the present terminus of the Montgomery
q Pensacola R. R. This was ON Tuesday, Nov,
Srd. At about one o'clock the first passenger
car on this road made its appearance, and in it
several gentlemen from the city and vicinity OF
Montgomery, who had come down to see the
road. One of them on seeing my baggage ap-
preached Inc and said, "Well, sir, you will have
the honor Of being the first passenger in pas
senger car on this road" "Then," said /, II
must inform my Va. friends of the distinguished
honor have received in Alabama" "Are you
from Va9" he enquired, ''Why we are all Vir-
gnians." 81 am happy to meet with so many
of my countrymen," replied. then gave my
name and the name of my county, and he did
the same. This led to an introduction all round,
and a pressing invitation to tarry among them
several days, which very reluctantly declined.
On the following day / left Montgomery and
took the back track to Opelica-thence to Co.
lumbus in Georgia-thence 10 Fort Valley where
the road in that direction meets the road coming
down to Fort Gains. AT Fort Valley remain
ed till Thursday morning and then came to AL
bany, the terminus OF the r. r. There | took
stage for Madison in Florida, distant 1913 miles
AT 1-2 past on Friday morning, ! crossed the
line that separates this State from Georgia, and
in an hour afterwards reached Monticello in
jackson county. Being there refreshed by o
good wash, o shave, change of rament and q
breakfast on venison, &C., | made an effort to
get on to Madison, distant 33 miles, but as there
would not be stage for several days, and as
could not hire a conveyance for less than % a
day | concluded to rest. On Saturday morning,
mounted fine steed and leaving most of my
baggage, came on to Madison. Before / left
! Virginia learned that brother who lives in
Columbia county. would be on visit at Madi-
son at that time. had not seen him for more
eleven. Those only who have met with their
kindred in strange land after long separation
know how etfecting such meeting is. | had
never seen my brother SO robust, and the same
may be said OF his family. Nearly two years
ago he removed from Mississippi to try the eff
feet of this climate on the throat disease in him
self, and consumption in his wife. The result is
| that he is restored to health and she is nearly
restored. Since my arrival here | have met
with several, almost hopeless cases of throat dis
ease where this climate has proved equally eff.
| ticaciOus
| But it is time to return from this depression,
and notice such incidents of the way as may pos
sibly interest your readers.
I At Columbus in Georgia saw watermelOns
for sale and piles of apples as 10 Richmond. The
price of the latter, however, being five cents
piece told me plainly that they were not Ut
Georgia growth.
Our train was the first that had run as far down
as Albany, so that was again an honored strang-
er in strange land. This time, however, had
to divide the honor with about 100 Others. The
natives there turned out in considerable numbers
to greet our arrival. So siokly set of people
never saw.
Albany is situated or Flint River and contains
a population of about 1000. While sitting in
the stage coach heard Il man say that under u
recent state Of the ague it had taken two men to
keen him from shaking ont of bed. Well, tho
!, il is time for me re be going. The same un-
healthness appeared in the faces OF nearly all
the people saw in the lower part OF Georgia.
Near to this place saw the first sugar cane !
ever saw growing. afterwards noticed patch
OF about IA OF an. acre at almost every house
passed Nearly all the planters in this region
make their own sugar and molasses. When We
stopped for dinner cut a stalk OF the cane, and
peaIing off the rind, ceased not until had dis
posed OF about 9 Q feet. In Va. people some
times talk largely of making their sugar out OF
curnstalks, but away with such NONSENSE A
taste of sugar cane will satisfy any one that the
cornstalk is for corn, and the sugar cane for
sugar.
From Albany to Monticello had but one fell
low passenger, and he, youth OF IL returning
from school in the upper end OF Georgia. de
was politician of the Brownlow cast, and the
way he pastered me with politics was u caution.
thought OF Mr.. Bolts when he said he was dis
gu.ted with politics, politicians, and with every
one who was not Disguised with them thought
also of an acquaintance, who on being terribly
bored by f.llow-passenger in the stage said, he
did not know what would have become OF him
if Divine Mercy had not put him to sleep. My
only refuge was seat with the Divine. at our
supper Eouse we halted for two hours, and here
while was reading by pine light at the fire, my
young friend was discussing politics with two
Others Us eager as himself in the porch. One OF
these was a little Dutclman not long from the
"ould country" Among my friends assertions
he said, "There is not one out OF 0OO,0OO OF the
foreigners who come to the United States that is
not an abolilionist" "Den," said the Dutch
man, ~ suppose you are well acquainted mid
dem every one" How this would have been
met by Virginia orator will not say, at all
events it was such stumper to my companion