Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-12-05
For the Advertiser.
Letter From the Mountains.

MR.. EDITOR. 1uo IeItoko Va Ao"oS"
DER correspondent are valuableinot from
their frequency, but from the amount OF
matters of interest they may contain. 1t
will be my aim in future to keep this
faith In view. When have nothing OF
much importance to write, I shall say
but little, and endeaSer to compress what
I do write into as small a compass as pos
sible.
During the last few weeks we have had
foretaste of real winter in this eleva-
ted region. The wind, blowing from the
Northwest, has at times been quite cold
andkeen. The forests upon the noun
tainis around us have donned their coats
of russet and brown; and 1t win not be
long before the noble old trees, grim and
lonely monarchs Of those wild and crag-
NJ sminences and solitudes, stripped Of
their summer garments, will have TO-
stand with bare and uncovered heads
and branches In the keen and wintry
blasts.
remember reading somewhere OF an
English lady who was once so enamored
with the various colors and tints of an
American forest in Autumn, that she
had quantity Of leaves of the richest
and most beautiful dyes and hues gath
cred, and made splendid ball dress of
them, which she exhibited at party on
her return home to the no little wonder
and admiration Of her friends in "mer-
ry old England" / have mentioned this
merely to say, that if our English sister
were here now in the picturesque dells
and glens of these parti-colored forests,
where the sylvan goddess seems to have
erected her most beautiful and fancifal
temples and shrines, she might crafty
her taste for the infnhitable and exquisite
exhibitions Of natures esthetics to the.
fullest extent. But we must leave the
fair domain of the beautiful and poetical
in nature, the study and contemplation
of which is 80 we'll calculated to elevate
and enneble human nature, and turn to
the practical and bustling world Of man
around us, for the age in which NE live,
with. all its boasted progress and achieve.
msnts, is intensely material and utlita'
rian.
AS winter approaches, the merchants
Of Walhalla are beginning to drive
brisk and lively trade. On every day OF
the week, except Sunday our streets are
enlIvenod with the presence Of wagons
and carts, and other non-descript vehicles
of locomotion. loaded with cotton, grain,
apples, cabbage, chestnuts, poultry, and
other products Of field or forest. The
other evening wagon came into town
from North Carolina, and among other
articles, it contained large ham OF bear
meat, with the foot on. The paw was
left, suppose, to show the size Of the
animal, and to convince all 'tnbeliertng
Thomascs that the meat was genuine, not
pork, which it very much resembles, but
the ham of real "bruin." But learn
that the bringing of bear meat here
for sale is by no means an Unusual oc-
currenue. The animals abound in the
mountainous country North of this town,
and In the Western section of North
Carolina, which is partly inhabited by
remnants Of the Cherokee Indians. The
bears are mostly taken by the hunters
and trappers Of that region. Col. Van
Deyiere, an intelligent merchant of Wal
halla, informed me that he has pur-
chased quite q number Of large bear
skins in one season: The meat is said tn
be splendid eating, being in one respect
like sturgeon-you may oranl as much
into your stomach as it will hold, and it
will not htrt you,
Az an item Of news, am sorry to in
form you that Mr. Ahney. who lived in
tho West Union part Of this place has re-
turned to Edgcfeld county. Nowberry
College loses a student ny his removal
as his son Benjamin, promising youth,
was in attendance ut our Institution.
Some of your readers may perhaps re-
member the beautiful country seat of
Col. Grisham, "A place called Grassy
Knob" about three miles North Of Wal
halla, at the foot of Poor Mountain. 1t
is now the property Of. DR.. Marlborough,
formerly of Edgoficld county. In COIN
pany with the Doctor have visited this
charming spot several times. THERE'S
fine and productive farm adjoining the
place The dwelling WAS originally built,
and the grounds laid out and arranged,
(which is very tastefully done) by a
wealthy low. .countryinan who summered
it there. The place is cosy and well
sheltered, and the scenery around is ro-
mantle and beautiful. AS young lady
would say, I dearly love the mountains,
and IL had "plenty Of money aud no
poor kim" I would like to nestle at such
q place as " Grassy Knob, and surround
ing myself with circle Of choice friends,
the balance Of the world might "wag for
me-" Icould then. afford tdiwrfts you
letters that would be letters. But reckon
It is best that there are. Ditch "ifs" in
the way'of our desires, at any rate it is
wise to be content with our lot. Aure-
ron. ...r r."ni - MOLTKE.
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1f,,nY.or Ann Grr1pAry dr,r