The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1884-01-04

near across the room, now sir" &C. &C., and
such like conversational garniture wherewith
the young gentlemen deckod the exposition
he was making for Mr.. Calhoun's benefit.
MIR, Calhoun's courtesy never faled;-"yes,
yes" We could hear quickly aud quietly
uttered, all through what must have been,
to him, the young man S ti;esome mouoloeuc.
At last the welcome tca-trays appeared,
and the young man was presently SO busily
engaged in absorbing tea and dcmolishng
bread and butter, as to neglect even Mr..
Calhoun.
Adjoining Mr.. Calhouu's room in the
boarding house was room, large, airy aud
comfortable, occupied Sy genial, jovial
gentleman, an NJ. G. from N. c., whose fund
OF humor and anecdotc, was inexhaustible.
Not only witty himself, he was cause of
wit in others "a fellow of infinite Jest"
In this room every evening gathered many
Of the gentlemen, residents in the house
Tor the nonce, TO enjoy at once Mr.. VS.
anecdotes and their after dinner cigars.
Among them was, usually, a noted member
| Of Congress from Louisiana, whose stories
of humor and anecdote cqualed, if they did
not excel MIR, VS. From this room came,
every evening, aoatiug across the hall and
into the parlor, roars of laughter, so full of
genuine mirth and 81 continuous that VIC
women-folk were constrained to laugh a
little, in sympathy, we knew not why. Mr..
Calhoun, whose. health was even then fails
ing, usually retired early /; but one evening
when the "mirth and fun grew fast aud
furious he was tempted from his r,trc>
mcnt by the contagious mirth next door,
aud entering Mr.. VS. room, made some
slight remark about wishing to enjoy the
good things that were going. An attempt
was made by the gentlemen racontcurs, to
keep the jest and quip aud humorous story
flying around tho. circle as before, but they
failed. Like schoolboys in presence of \
preceptor, though beloved and rcvercd,
they could not forget themselves in the
whm of the moment aud little by little
the conversation assumed grave and qui, I
tone, aud MIR. Calhoun presently withdrew
SUCH was the influence, involuutarily exer-
cissd over others by this truly good and
great man.
Though his d,mcanor showed not trace
Of austerity, his air of gentle quiet dignity,
which, being an integral part of himself, he
could not lay aside, their sense of his ex.
altcd character and great INTEL ,ct produced
in them feeling of constraint, which they
could not overcome.
The people Of South Carolina have often
been ridiculed that they worshipped Mr.. Call
houn. They could afford to let such ridi-
cue pass unnoticed. lie was to them the
living embodiment of "all things pure and
high" faith in which "beat with their
blood"
AS the winter advanced the cold became
severe and Mr.. Calhoun's health failed
rapidly. Only one more uttcrt nee of that
vigorous and incisive intellect was to be
given for the welfare of the people who
loved him so well, whom he had served
SO long and SO ably. Too feeble to deliver
his last speech in the Senate himsclf it
was arranged that Mr.. Mason, Senator from
Virginia, should read the manuscript to the
Senate. The day appointed 70. this was
widely known and the galleries of the Sen.
ate Chamber were so crowded that one
man was taken out faiuting from the close
atmosphere. Seats were brought in and
the main aisle of the Senate Chamber, the
open area in front of the Vice President s
Chair and the lobby, was filled with a crowd
consisting, principally, of ladies' Mr.. Cal.
houn sat in his usual place. Evidently
feeble, his attcnuated form clad, as usual,
entirely in black, his mass of y bite hair
framing his pale, thin face, his eye still
bright and clear and his old countenance
aglow with the light ofao intellect vigorous
as ever, he formed a striking figure Near
him eat Mr.. Mason.
Presently, over that densely crowded
chamber fell profound hush, anu Mr..
Mason, rising slowly, in clear, sonorous
tones, read through he whole speech. In.
tense unbroken silence reigned in the Sen>
ate Chamber, throughout the reading Of tho
manuscript; every word was listened to
with rapt attention, even to tho close and
many hearts were doubtless saddened as
they thought that never again would they
listen to words Of weight and wisdom from
those lips, so soon to be closed forever.