The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-04
0tiaiual Statg.
BERKLEY HALL.
BY "LA CAROLINE"
CHAPTER XVI.

lowed the fervent prayer, and Harry,
arousing himself from his sad revery,
heaved deep sigh, and turned to seek
his horse and buggy, when he was arres-
ted by hard slap on the shoulder, and
the greeting of familiar voice:
"Why, surely, it is not you, Harry,
whom I have caught playing the senti-
mental? This is really a capital joke.
Who would have supposed there was so
much of the lack-a-daisical in Harry
Maham? But I will not be hard on you,
for our rencontre is to me pleasant and
most fortunate one, if you are, as / sup
pose, homeward bound. am myself en-
route for Berkley Hall to pay the compli-
ments of the new year to your gentle
mother and fair sister, and to take one
more hunt with Capt. Harry for the sake
of aud lang syne. So, if quite agreeable,
will take the spare seat in your buggy,
and promise that the burden of my talk
shall be the piquante Jessie Ferguson.
If Dame Rumor speaks true, there is no
cause for the dolce far niente look upon
your face, and the deep sigh you heayed
as came upon you. By-the-bye, man,
do tell me where you ever found the
courage to face to the music of Miss
Jessie's sharp wit and spicy tongue?"
A merry, twinkling light in Harry's
bright blue eye quickly dispelled the
clouds of sorrow which had shadowed
his face as he recalled with intense en-
joyment the used up expression of the
speakers face under this more than half
earnest raillery and pointed satire flung
by the gay Jessie at the self-enamored
preux cheyalier. But Harry only re-
piled:
"You know I always confessed to a
pench&ht for highly seasoned condiments,
even though it be woman's saucy
tongue; cannot, therefore, take credit
for unusual courage. But come and let
us go to the buggy, my mother and sister
williwait dinner for me. They will both
of themebe pleased to see you. and I will
feel hattered if Berkley Hall can offer
you any amusement to compensate the
loss of the gay friends, the routs and
reyels you have left in the city. Report
says the rebel Maj. Egan is a prime
fayorite with the Federal General, and
enjoys prestige as a proselyte with the
bellies who attend the Federal levees."
An expression of annoyance crossed
the face of Maj. Egan, for it was-as l
suppose the reader has guessed-none
other than our old acquaintance, Dick
Egani, who had accosted Harry. But
the lock of annoyance was quickly dis
placed by one of ineffable complacency
as he replied: e~t-.
awhy, yes, Harry, even scripture ex-
tolls the worldly wise man for making
friends of the mammon of unrighteous-
ness. I claim to be one of the wide
awakes! Earth has been assigned me as
my dwelling place; it is the theatre upon
which I have been called to play my
part, and that the part of practical
business man. Poets, parsons and girls it
suits we'll enough to live in dreamland,
indulge in heroics and sigh for wings to
soar among the clouds, but to be Richard
Egan the millionaire is the goal of my
ambition! Yes, the game is over with
the South, and L am for Dick Egau and
gold. Gold, glittering gold, can buy
mans applause and woman's sweetest
smilesr', aas ae,Iargagt
Although too noble himself to stoop
and cringe for selfish greed and gain,
Harry did not, as Marion or Jessie would
have done, shrink with repulsion and
scorn from the ex-Confederate officer
who had almost boastfully given express
sion to his sordid feelings and aims, for
Harry's life in the army had given him
an old mans experience of the varied
characters of men. He knew that even
in the ranks of the noble Confederates
there were many time-servers and self
seekers who were like Dick Egan, greedy
of money and place, and who, although
they had sworn most loudly their fealty
to the "l6st cause" were then ready to
sacrifice every sentiment of patriotism
for gain. Many of them even seeking
to dignity their sordid sentiments by call
ing patient submission. Harry did not
therefore, exclaim against the sordid
views of his old acquaintance, but simply
remarked:
money is indeed mighty power, but
the love of money is an unholy passion
It was the fatal transgression which
caused the fall of the unhappy Judas
from his high and dangerous post. Even
when fairly and nobly won, and humbly
received as the gift of God, wealth entails
upon its possessor fearful responsible.
ty; and the rich man may we'll tremble
lest an unheeded Lazarus be found sit.
ting at his gate! But, Dick, although
am compelled to admit that money is the
"Sesame" which opens many doors, and
NAV win the smiles of the fair and false
/ am quite sure the pure and true, such
women as 1 know, cannot be bought with
gold"
An incredulous smile curled Maj
Egan's lip as he replied: "Upon my
word, for an old soldier you are the mos
yerdant specimen of the genus homo
have ever met, and I feel like making
.,;on;6ront h1,t ill-hred uuery: docs