The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-01-13

FalCn IS nearu SOU MeTCy uHuei9oh6'
eff ye be willing and obedient, ye shall
eat the good of the land; and it will re-
store thy judges as at the first, and thy
counssllors as ct the beginning" Only
sstrust in the Lord" for "whom the Lord
lovcth He chasteneth." He will purge
away all thy dross, and take away all thy
tin," and with Judgment and righteous
ness shalt thou be redeemed"
Amid, all the beautiful and happy
homes of Berkley, the centre of an agree
BILE neighborhood of social, wealthy and
refined planters, Berkley Hall, the ances-
tral homes of branch of the ancient
family of Maham, stood for many years
unrivalled. It's grounds were the most
romautic; its festivities the most joyous !;
its youths the most gallant; its maidens
the gentlest and the fairest, and in the
veins of its sons and daughters the Eng
lish blood of the proud Cavaliers, min
gled with that of the brave and gentle
Huguenots.
About the close of the year 1860, the pc
riod at which my tale opens, Berkley Hall
was the property of Col. Harry Maham,
who, in uniting qualities, eminently his,
of an energetic, practical and scientific
planter, had. developed almost perfectly
thes capacities of his large and fertile
plantation.
= The, approach to the Hall was by a
long carriage drive of two miles, through
grassy, well-kept lawn of several acres.
In the distance, as far as the eye could
reach, twere to be seen extensive fields,
rich with their plentiful harvests of cot
ton, corn, &c. The dwelling house, a
large three-storied building with wings
and wide piazzas attached, was very
beau ideal of country house-handsome
and commodious, and furnished with all
the lu1uries, comforts and conveniences
usually found in the homes of the
wealthy. It was also evidently arranged
with-a thought for the frequent enter
tainment of many guests, for even in
"hospitable Carolina. the family were
remarkable for their generous, vivacious
and social dispositions. Nor was their
hospitality confined to their friends; /;
religiously they obeyed the injunction,
"be not forgctful to entertain strangers"
A pleasant and convenient walk from
the "Big House" stood the neat and COM
Portable cabins of the slaves, and in
later years the modest plantation chapel
had been added, giving look of quiet
village beauty to the whole scene.
The family of Col. Maham consisted
of his wife and three childreg, two sons
and one only daughter, Marion, who. at
the early age Of fourteen, gave promise
of great personal loveliness-a gift SO
earnestly coveted by woman, and one
which too often proves the ''buried
talent" for which she will be called upon
to render a solemn account; and, ah,
how few will hear the gracious "well
DONE" .,.-..
Mrs. Maham, herself, had been called
ga beauty" and still retained a consider
able share of womanly grace and lowell
ness. She was also lady of cultivated
mind, graceful manners and earnest
piety.
Walter Maham, the eldest son, was a
young man of brilliant mind and geutle,
winning manners. He had graduated
with distinction at West Point, had
served the allotted period in the United
States Army, and had then returned
home; and, after spending year in re-
Taxation and quiet home pleasures, he
had commenced the study of Divinity,
declaring it his most earnest desire to be
a messenger of the glad tidings of saliva
ton to fallen man. But the gloomy and
warlike aspect of national affairs threat
ened to put an end to his lofty aspirations
of being an ambassador of the Prince of
Peace. He earnestly hoped that 3 peace
able separation from the Federal Union
might be effected, but if Carolina needed
his services he had determined to relin-
quish his own cherished plans, and offer
his life in her defence, believing he best
fulfilled his duty to his God in defending
his home and his country from the yoke
of the tyrant and the desecrating hand
of the spoiler.
Not thus softly toned by the lofty pa
triotism of the Christian were the senti-
ments of Harry Maham, proud and
impetuous youth of about seventeen,
whose open, brave and generous nature
made him universal favorite with kim
dred and friends. If necessary Walter
Maham was ready to act faithfully the
patriot-soldicr's part; to draw the sword
and fight manfully, but if he donned the
soldiers garb bravely, he also did it sad
ly; with him the sword was q last and
most grievous resort. Harry was eager
for the conflict. Bold, impulsive boy us
he standing on the verge of man.
hood, at the ardent age when boys dream
only of honor and glory of laurel
crowns and knightly spurs, and are but
too ready to feel and resent wrong-in
the trumpet's voice he could hear no
sound save song of victory
Actuated by feelings of enthusiasm,
excitement and anxiety universally felt
in Carolina, the Colonel had determined
to take his whole family to Charleston to