The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, February 10, 1876, Image 1

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RATHS OF SUBSCRIPTION:?Two Dollam per annaia, and 0*x Dollau for six months. Subscript leas ar? aot taken for a less period than six laonths. . ? . Liberal dednctlons mad* te elnbs of too er raore sobecribera. . :_ , i ??-?? RATES OF AD VSRTISINC.?Ont Doliarper Bqaaro ol one inch for the flist insertion, and Ftftr CcnU per 3quare for subsequent insertions has than three months. No adTerttoement counted less than a square.; > .' . / Liberal contract* will be mide with those visaing to advertise for three, six or twelre montbii. Ad? verting by contract moat be confined to tae im? mediatebusiness of the firm or individual contrac ttOo*ltnaryNotloe8 exceeding fire line* Tributes of Bespect, and all personal communications or matUraofindiTldual Interest,wilt be charged for at adTertislne rates. Announcements of marriages and deaths, and notices of a religious character, are reepectfoUr solicited, and will be Inserted gratia. BT HOTT-& CO. " ANDERSON, S. C, THURSDAT, FEBRUART 10, 1876._VOL. XI-ffQ. 30. LEGAL ADVERTISING.--We ire eorapfUed to require cash payments for adrertlsing ordensd by Executors, Administrators and other flduntariea, ?nd herewith append the rates for the ordinary notices, which will only be inserted when the money comes with the order: Citations, two insertions, '-' '- - - $3.09 ?t?te Notices, three insertions, - - 2.08 Final Settlements, fire insertions - - 8.00 TO CORRESPONDENTS.?la order to rewire attention, communications must be accompanied by the true name and-address of the writer. Re? jected manuscripts will not be returned, unless the neccsiary stamps are fnrnlihedtoTepaytJie postage thereon. We aro not responsible for the views and opinions of our correspondents. All communications should be addressed to "Ed? itors Intelligencer," and all checks, drafts, money orders, 4c, should bo made payable to the order of HOVT 4 CO., Anderson, B. C. (Brigitta! f torn BERKLEY HALL BY "LA CAROLINE." CHAPTER V. "Altd well our Christian tires of old Iioied, when the Vear iu course had rollei Ami brought blliae Christmas back again, With all his hospitable train." The day before Christmas CoL Maham and his lady entertained in the handsome old parlor of Berkley Hall many kindred and friends who had dropped in for din? ner en famille.. The ladies kept their finge? nusy with some pretty needle wort, while they entered with animation , Into conversation with the gentlemen, who only made their appearance about an hoar before dinner, and wer? relating with high glee the incidents of the morn-, ing's hunt. Their pleasure had been considerably enhanced by the fun they had enjoyed in initiating into their broth? erhood Arthur Ferguson, who had that day killed his first deer, and in compli? ance with, the time-honored custom of the sportsmen, of "those parts," his face had been grotesquely smeared and marked with the blood of the "Big San tec Swamp Buck" which they had brought triumph? antly home. Quietly the youth submit? ted, for well he knew the mystic rites must be pe rformed "to gie'him luck," as Croppo, the negro, driver, said, and to confer upon him the coveted appellation of "Hunter" among the sportsmen of those famous old hunting-grounds.? Gracefully the ladies all congratulated the young marksman on h?s success, and right merrily Rose and Marion rallied their favorite Cavalier upon his slyness in getting into' the house unseen and so quickly ridding himself of his bloody trophies. "Sir Knight of the Big Buck, you should have brought with you your bloody marks of victory, and solicited the Queen of the Garden?the blushing Rose?to buckle on your spurs, or crown your brow with ,a garland of oak," said Marion. "Beth pioud and honored should I have felt to hare been permitted to take part in dubbing so worthy a Knight," replied the blushing Rose. "Whfc yes, Arthur," said Mrs. Maham, fondly laying her hand on his shoulder, "you should haTe come to us with your young honors to receive our congratula? tions; ar-d I hope," she. earnestly added, "your success to-day is an omen to you of a successful and high career as one of Carolina'* most honored sons in the noble course she has marked out for herself as an Independent Sovereignty." A blush of pleasure colored the brow of the handsome youth, and bowing gracefully he replied: "The esteem and friendship of such ladies would be guerdon sufScent to spur any knight to deeds of valor. I am but a youth, ahdf may boast neither the soldier's tried courage nor the statesman's wise judgment,- but I can and will offer to Carolina iind her cause sincere aud firm devoten." ? "What, Mrs. Maham talking politics again? I thought we had agreed to forget such things until after Christmas," said the Colonel, approaching the group aud gazing | with proud fondness upon his graceful and animated wife. "'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth epeaketh,' and she is only spurring Carolina's sons to deeds of valor by her winning praise," said Rose, gayly. "No need of that,". said the Colonel, "such stock as that Ferguson will never be found lacking." "But you, Miss Rose, are a foreigner, an alien," said Harry Maham, bantering - ly; "you are still in the 'glorious Union/ living under the protecting 'Stars and Stripes'?the glorious 'Starspangled Ban? ner of. Liberty'?-whose worshippers would give freedom to Africa's sons, but fetter and crush a free-born American, and a brother I" "I Jim not a Carolinian.it ii -true, but I am a Southerner, a daughter of the 'Em? pire' State,' and as prOud "of my birth? place as any son or daughter of your cherished 'Palmetto Land I' 'I bide my time/ for not in the-bosom of Carolina's bravest and best does the. love of liberty glow more warmly than in the hearts of Georgia's sons and daughters; and when the tug of war comes, look to it, Mr. Harry, that the last be not first! for drop for drop will Georgia shed her blood by the side of your brave 'Palmetto Boys' in the glorious cause of Southern liber? ty," said the young Georgian, proudly. "The God of Nations, in His merciful providence, grant that our victories may all bo bloodle*?, our difficulties peaceably adjusted, and that the white-robed angel of. peace may fold her wings upon our banner 1" said the grave, sweet voice of Walter Maham, who, attracted by the excited and bitter tones of his impetuous younger brother, had risen from a seat near a window which commanded an extensive view of the'carriage r6ad. There he had been sometime watching, seeking to catch the first glimpse of the carriage which he hoped was bringing Dr. St. Julien and his gentle daughter to Berkley. They were really an hour or more behind time, and he feared were detained by an accident. "You are right, my boy," said the Colonel, "we should all desire as Chris? tians and patriots a just, honorable and peaceable adjustment of our troubles." "And that," said Harry, "we cannot have until we give the Yanks a drubbing. What is the use of crying peace, peace, forever, and there can be no peace I, Whip them I know we can, three to one 1 It makes jay 8ouiil5ra blood boil to know how we are set aside and defeated in everything which could conduce to our.welfare as a people. I long to show' them that the spirits of a Marion and otherj3rave rebels still lives in their kin* dred!" "Dear Harry," said Walter, gently, "your favorite hero, Francis Marion was, if you remember, .is remarkable for gen? tle modesty and self-control as he proved himself for high-daring courage and pa? triotism; and I think it will be well for us all to heed the answer of Abab to the Syrian King: 'Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that taketh it off.' Dear brother, do not de? sire the combat; war ii sometimes a ne? cessity, but always a terrible one." "You are a Christian, Walter, and per? haps you are right, but I am not a Chris? tian, and cannot see or feel things as you do; and I see," said Harry, almost with tears, "you think me nothing but a fool? ish, boastful boy, but I do love my native ; land?the land for which our forefathers endured so much?and I know I ?Hill gladly give my life in her defence if ?necttaktyV ' "Your innate valor and heroism none admire more than I do, my dear Harry, and right nobly I know you will perform the patriot and the soldier's part to your country; but as Christians, wa should exercise gentle forbearance,- and oh, my brother, do not say you are not ft Chris? tian! in holy baptism you have been signed and sealed a soldier of the Cross, and remember Harry, it is in an.even holier cause, and for a happier home than our much loved Carolina that we are sworn to figBt ft >good fight; in that warfare our success is sure, we cannot fail if we rely upon our Leader, the great Captain of Salvation; and the prize; oh! what higher meed can mortals wish than an immortality of bliss ? But we are egotistical," he said, blushing, and ob? serving for the first time that their con? versation had attracted the attention of nearly every one in the room. While the friends in the parlor watched with pleasant anticipations for their ex? pected guests, in the kitchen aunt Chloe, the cook, a very important character in her department at Berkley, had become very, impatient and fussy, fearing that her dinner, which had been ready to serve np more than an hour, would be spoiled in waiting. After repeated calls to Sally, her grandchild and scullion, whom she had placed at a good point of observation, to know, "Enty you see de carriage a-coming, Sally, child?" with the unsatisfactory and unvarying reply, "Dem aint dah cum yit," she concluded to exercise patience, and console herself with a muttered soliloquy: "I jist does know dis fine line ob venison will be reglar spiled, de fact is my whole dinner will be so dry up it won't do jestice to ole Chloe, or do grandees of Buckley Hall. I'se cook for dese Maham for more'n titty years, and neber a spiled dinner did dat ole table eber blush un? der ! I wish for de honor pb dis fombly dat carriage will come befo dat venison is plumb spile. I tinki de ingiu rhus a bust, or day stops to hab a colliction to teck place; you'll neber ketch dis nigger a-riding behind a fire-hoss, you bet! Its too close kin to de ole inimy. Dem is fine folks dat coach gwine bring. Dey do say dat Dr. St Julien is so rich he's got money bank up like we tetters, en but one chile to draw it all; and she, sweet ingel, jest as umble like as if she didn't have a red to save her sweet life I She en our Mass Walter jest suit, en more'n, pie Chloe tinks so, too I Can't fool dis ole nigger! Enty I see de lub shine in 'em yearn est eye? Lor", enty she look party as de garden roses?? When she hold out to me her li Me bit of dainty hand to shake, and smile at me wid her too red lips, red as de beads Mass Walter use to wear when he was a blessed baby, and her teeth white as Missus pearl handle knifes, and her ingel-tike eyes as has got de light of Heben in 'em; our own chile, Miss Marion aint no lubHeir, and dat is as much as eny body at Buck? ley kin say. Yes, yes, if 11 suit mighty well, for sure a Maham is good enough for ennybody-^-eben a St. Julien twice ober, i De colored folks' 11 like it, too, for she in ebtr inch a lady?dere aint no buckra in dat blood!" "Granny! Grariny! de compny is a-comin'!" yelied Sally. "Bress do Lor* for dat good newi! my ? dinner aint spile yit, but it tecks old Chloe to persarve a dinner from drying up." Simultaneous with Sally's communica? ting yell, the gray-haired butler, Prince, ("Major Domo," as1 Harry called him,) went into the parlor, and with the privi? lege of an indulged and faithful servant, approaching Walter with a knowing twinkle in his eye, informed him first that the carriage bringing Dr. S:. Julien and Miss Annie was nearly up to the house. "Why you are a very Prince of clever fellows to bring such good newt!" said Walter, gayly. Quickly was he on the piazza and down the steps, waiting with a lover's impatience for the first glance from Annie's soft brown eyes. Very Eoon the whole family were collected upon the piazza, where the rays of a bright December sun beaming on the merry group seemed to add glow and gladness to their joyous faces and warm welcome. Those happy, happy reunions! Their sweet memories thrill our hearts with joy! In those old homes the guests were sure of welcome, and always met upon the threshold with extended hand and words of warm and kindly greeting. The hurried bow of the cityman ever pressed with business, or the cold and languid nod of the fashionable iady?the poor victim of ennui, who feared to be natural because it was not a la mode?had never found place in those old- plantation homes. "There are threo in the carriage. Two gentleman, and one is a young man. Can it be Mr. Egan ?" said Marion. "I do hope not," said Jessie, with hw usual candor, "to me he always teems to be de trop wherever he goes. I don't think he means one-half of the fine '. things he says; but see, it is a stranger, and oh, pray, pray iook! I do beriavi; he is going to kiss Walter." she added laughing, as a very handsome young man got out of the carriage, and with the exclamations: "Hubert Gray F "Walter, old. fellow 1" the young men embraced each other warmly, and turning to Col. Maham, Walter Baid: "Father, this: is my friend, Hubert Gray." The Colonel held in a hard: and wholesoul grasp the hand of the young man as he said, "We have riever met before, but Hubert Gray is no stranger in the home of Walter Maham. My children's friends are my friends, and doubly welcome to Berk? ley 1" Walter, With a low, glad welcomo, led his gentle betrothed up the steps on the piazza, whore she was seized and carried off by the eager girls, under the pretence of brushing up for dinner?they being on the gui vive to learn the circumstan? tials of the handsome stranger. "Who is he, Annie, that beau gallant ?" asked Rose. "Captain Gray, of the United States Army." "Bah 1 he must be a Yank " exclaimed Jessie. "If he be Hubert Gray, he was Wal? ter's dearest friend at West Point, aid must possess noble qualties,, even if he is a Yankee, for Walter never wearies of sounding his praise," said Marion; "but Annie, where did yon find him?" "When we reached the depot, we ob? served him getting off of the same train wo did: Papa heard him enquiring if he could get a conveyance to take him to Col. Maham'e at Berkley Hall. Know? ing that a conveyance could not be pro? cured, and being much prepossessed by his appearance, papa introduced himself and offered him a seat in 'me carriage with ua. I am so glad he did, for he proved an agreeable acquisition to our drive here, and Walter seems to be so much delighted to see him. Now I am ready for the parlor. There was an acci? dent on the road which detained, us, and I fear cousin Alice's dinner has been waiting our arrival." The girls returned to the parlor and were formally introduced to the young militaire, whom they; found with Arthur and Walter, playing.the agreable to a group of ladies, displaying in his manner the modest ease and gentle deference which characterizes the polished gentle? man in his intercourse with the fair sex. Eu passant, I must not forget to say that the dinner did ample justico to old Chioe's culinary reputation, and her mis? tress' nice house-keeping, if the gusto with which it was eaten might be regar? ded as a criterion of its excellency. The dinner visitors had returned to their homes, and the evening shadows had brought lighted lamps on the tables, more wood -to the dying embers on the hearth, and the- happy inmates of the Hall once again into the parlor to spend that Christmas Eve together; the hours of which, charmed by bonbons, nuts, egg-nog, sweet munic, merry tales and light jeste passed to quickly away, the Did clock had struck midnight before they thought of saying "Good night," and so their "good lights" became "Mer? ry Christmas," too. Truly those were glad, gay hearts which sought repose -.hat night within the hospitable walls of Berkley Hall. Hubert Gray possessed a taste for the picturesque and romantic, which had l>een much gratified by everything he had seen of Berkley Hall and its sur loundings. Hia quick and observant eye had noticed with delight the large and finely antlered stag-horns nailed on the walls of the piazza, on which were slung fishing lines, biid bags, powder flasks, shot bags and highly polished and beau? tifully carved hunting horns, evidences that the family at the Hall were lovers of the chase, a taste inherited from their i.nglo-Huguenot ancestors. His drive from the depot through a dreary forest of sighing pines, the ro? mantic beauty of Berkley Hall, the cor? dial greeting of the Mahams, with their unmistakable air of high birth and polish, hid so pleased and enlivened the imagin? ation of Capt. Gray that in "dreamland' that night although not a James Fitz James, he dreamed himself one of those errant knights of olden times who had lost his way after night in a deep, dark forest of moaning pines. Suddenly a dazzling of many lights almost blinded him by its splendor, and he found him? self seeking and obtaining admittance at the portals of an enchanted castle, the duelling place of wood nymphs of ex? quisite and bewildering grace and beauty. The music of that old castle was not the music which proceeded from any instru? ment of man's device, but it was as t ie murmuring of waters, accompanied by hr.man voices, so entrancing to the sens? es, he deemed himself under the spell of Syrens. Among the fair magicians of those enchanted halls, he was not long in recognizing his acquaintances of the previous day. In dreamland they were no longer school-girls, but were devel? oped into the beauty of perfect woman? hood. As his dream progressed it seemed to him that he had performed some deed of high emprize, for which, as guerdon, in his hand he held the golden spurs of knighthood, and knelt to receive from Annie St. Julien, who reigned queen of tho Syren band, the victor's laurel crown. As Annie stooped to crown him, he was startled by seeing her disappear in a white and luminous cloud, while her hand held out instead of the victoVs laurel crown a wreath, or rather a turban of the long grey moss, on which hung heavy dross of dew, and a gentle voice sighed, "these are the tears of loved ones." A cold shiver passed over him, but before the wreath could touch his brow, Marion Maham had seized and dashed it on the floor, crying in a voice of wail and auguish: "not that, oh, not thatl they grey moss is mourning, mourning, mourning 1" The mournful tones had scarcely died away, when Capt. Gray opened his eyes, not in the enchanted halls of Syrens, but in his comfortable chamber at Berkley Hall.. Upon the hearth blazed a splen? did crackling Christmas fire, and his music-loving soul was charmed, not with i;he soft murmurs of woodland streams, not with the sweet and touching strains of an "old Allan Bane's" harp, but the lively, rigorous music of several fiddles, a pair of sticks and a tambourine, in a regular break down negro jig, played by the sable minstrels of the plantation, aud the shouts of meny Christmas T merry Christmas I rung out by more than a I undred voices, made a glad and boister? ous chorus. The musicians and the cri? ers made the circuit of ithe whole house, stopping a few minutes at each chamber door to make personal compliments.? When they reached Walter's room, they struck up with renewed energy the old air, "come haste to the wedding," thus intimating their lively suspicions and. the deep interest they took in his affairs du cceur of the young master. When the chamber occupied by the girls was reach? ed, they played "Santee Ladies," alias "Steamboat," an air peculiar to the dar? kies of those parts, and in every pause of the music they would exclaim with joy? ous exultation, "Hurrah for de Santee Ladies 1 merry Christ mail, missies I mer? ry Christmas 1 We ladies head all de ladies in de world 1 Hurrah for de San? tee ladies I" If the music was not so melodious, it possessed the merit of enlivening, and Capt. Gray, inspired either by it or his curiosity, quickly made his toilet, and descended the stairs to make his way to the parlor. But what a seene met his amused anc wondering gaze I The piaz? zas, hall, dining room, pantry and parlor were laterally thronged-with the slaves who hud come up to the "Big House," clad in. their best and gayest garb, to gi7e and receive the congratulations of that blessed season of love, joy and peace to man. The warmly expressed and heartfelt congratulations of the negroes, and the condescension and kindly inter eat shown by the family in the joy of the slaves were equally sincere. "You arc mine and I am yours," were the strong and pleasant ties which bound in friend? ly interest and sympathies roasters and servants. Harry, like most Southern boys, evinced an eager and anxious desire to promote their mirth. He praised their music long, and loudly called for each favorite and familiar tune, and declared he enjoyed the triangles, sticks and fid? dles at Berkley Hall far more than the fine music discoursed by the famous B-'s Band of the city. The women brought their babies for Mrs. Maham to admire and praise,, and Marion and her young friends were presented by the generous negroes with eggs, pindars and new rice, which was beaten fabulously white for the festive occasion. Those rough, uncultivated but generous friends, and those simple joys, alas, alas 1 where are they now? Whose rude hand has snapped tbe strong cords of jnutual kind? ness and affection which bound us togeth? er? But we anticipate. . Breakfa.it being announced, the negroes retired to an out house provided for their accommodation, and the happy family took their seats at the woll-spread board with heart) brim full of thankfulness to the Bountiful Giver of all their rich blessings. Keen were the appetites which youth, health and content took to that delightful Carolina breakfast, over which the gentle hostess presided, serv? ing out with her own hands the fragrant Java and the rich Chocolate. Memory takes us back to those days of joyous insouciance, when an aunt Chloe ruled the roast, aud the breakfast tables of Berkley smiled the generous smiles of peace and plenty under the largo dishes of pearly white hominy, snowy pyramids of rice, juicy sausages, delicious, boiled partridges, johnny cakes, waffles and muf? fins unsurpassed! "Father," said Harry, "the young fel? lows have been begging me to persuade you to give them a supper party to-night. Some of the neighbor negroes are to be here, for there are to be two couple mar? ried, and mother has promised each of them a cake of her own make. They may have the supper, may they not, Father ?" continued the boy, coaxingly. "I love to see them make merry, they enjoy it so much." "Yes, they may have a supper, but no whiskey must be brought on the planta? tion, make them understand that, Harry," said the kind master, who loved almost as well as Harry to see his slaves happy. "And girls," said Marion, gayly\ "when we get back from church, I will claim your assistance to fix up head gears, &c. I have already had more demands made on me for head-dressings and bows than I will be able to supply without your aid. I de so enjoy seeing the negro girls dressed up ; they look picturesque, and wear their finery with barbaric grace. And for you, gentlemen," she added, addressing Col. Gray and Arthur, "we will procure complimentary invitations to the double wedding, since it is the only thing like gaiety wo will have to offer for your Christmas evening enter? tainment. But we must hurry up and get ready for church or we will only hear the amen." Carriages and saddle horses were in waiting at the steps to convey the family to the church, when Walter, placing his hand affectionately on his friond's shoul? der, said: "Hubert, I am going to become a highway robber this morning, and de? prive the ladies of your pleasant compa? ny. I claim you for a Me a Me drive in my buggy to the church." "Although I hold the ladies in groat admiration, there is nothing I will like better than an old time chat with you, Walter," said Hubert, and as they drove through the gate he added: "I do not now wonder at the sentimental attach? ment expressed, and the warm eulogies delivered by the grave Walter Maham whenever the theme was Berkley Hall, for it is beautiful! Without seeing, I could not have conceived of so much romantic beauty, unaided by either mountains or sea. That long, dark swamp, what a beautiful back-ground it makes to the picture, how soft are its shades ; and these grand old trees, how graceful they are, with their sad looking vestment of long, grey moss I Your people, all of them, and everything around you look as though you might tell tales of long, long ago I" After driving, some distance, chatting thus freely and gaily as only old, true and true friends do, Walter remarked: "Hubert, I have some happy news to tell you." "I have guessed it already, old fellow. Take my best wishes for your future, ar,d may you be as happy as you aeserve '? be 1 If a sweet, fair face, and a gentle, winning manner are the index of a lovely character, then Miss St. Julien is worthy even of Walter Maham 1 Is the happy day appointed ?" "No, Dr. St. Julien is unwilling for our marriage until our national troubles are settled. He thinks it will be headless, wrong, to subject a young girl to the anxieties and cares of a wife, whose hus? band's life must be spent in the soldier's tent or on the field of carnage." "The anxious thoughts and wearing cares I should imagine would be felt for the loved one, be he husband or lover. I don't think the old gentleman's reasons are good; but surely, Walter, you do not anticipate war? I have never dreamed of such a thing! I have never, I am ashamed to confess, looked carefully into the questions which have been agitating our country.' I read the papers it is true, but always throw them aside with the feeling that it is 'big smoke and little fire,' to gain some base political end. You know I have always had a contempt for the wiry ways of politicians; over all they say and do I fell like writing, 'Im? pure I' 'Impure P Since the days of our Washington aud his noble peers, our statesmen have only been politicians." "Our great Calhoun was a statesman, 'sans peur et sans reproche' and the ar? chives of our little State record many names of public men of unblemished purity," said the young Carolinian, warmly. "True, true," said Hubert, "but your Calhoun was, you must admit, in many respects a 'solitaire.'" "Hubert, I am so glad you have made me this visit, I feel that we may never again meet in social and pleasant con? verse. A terrible' conflict lies before us; one in which both yon and I must take a part, and we will not be together. You will muster with our foe, the instigators of the war, who are working for the lust of money and tho lust of power; but you, my friend, my Hubert, you will fight loyally for a flag 1 I must fight for life and liberty, for home and fatherland! Remember, come weal come v/oe, Walter Maham is ever the friend of Hubert Gray 1" "You are right, Walter, if fight I must, I cannot desert my colors, for I am a soldier, and not even a Southerner to ex? cuse it; but, oh, be assured, I would rather suffer death than be compelled to take up arms against your people?my brothers! But why invoke these dread? ful visions of carnage and death ? I do not believe we are going to fight each other, and in a month or two I will be again in old Charleston, acting grooms? man on 'that happy occasion.' Let us, at any rate, look on the bright side as long as we may, and when the storm docs come, make the best we can of it." "Ever the most thoughtless, Hubert! The wise man builds to brave the storm," said Walter, sadly. "You are a dreamer still, living in a world of your fancy's creation, you people it with ideal beings, and sec things only as you wish to hare them. Oh! what an awakening will yours be! I meant not thus to sadden this bright Christmas morning with gloomy anticipations. See, yonder is our little forest church; it is there our solemn services touch my heart with holier and more soothing power than any? where else; there my soul rests in holy joy, looking to and trusting in the lowly Babe of Bethlehem!" to be continued. The Migration of Birds.?A recent correspondent of the London Times ad? vances a new idea concerning the migra? tory flight of birds, in which we must confess we do not take much stock. This ingenious theorizer pronounces the action entirely involuntarily, and thus, unfortu? nately, devoid of the sentimental element which has served the purpose of so many poets. He says: "At about a certain period of the year, when a strong southern wind prevails in an upper stratum of England, a subtle atmosphereic change resulting from it, acts upon the muscles of the birds in such a way as to make them fly. Thdr wings beat as naturally as their heaits and they can do nothing but go. Lifted to this current they are Dome along upon it so long as the spasm lasts, and that suffices to carry most of them to warmer climes, although a multitude eveiy year recover a bit too soon and perish in the sea. Experiments made upon migra? tory birds in captivity tend curiously no confirm this idea. Kept in cages cov? ered with silk so as not to allow injury, they have been observed to develop these symptons and to be taken with a parox? ysm of flying. This continues through just about the time supposed to be occu? pied in migration. When that had passed they fell to the ground, began pluming themselves, and took up life again, just if they had reached their new home. The experiments had been made in Africa and in England, and agree in confirmation of the theory." A question not the easiest to answer naturally suggests itself, why are not non-migratory birds affected by this wind, or, if they do not manifest uneasiness and a tendency to flight during its prev? alence, what prevents them from follow? ing their migratory brethren? ? "Wethir" is the way a correspond? ent wrote it, and we all decided it was the worst spell of weather we ever saw. A GIGANTIC ROBBERY. breaking open the northampton national bank?the gagging of the cashier and his family? great excitement in the quiet tov S. Correspondence of the Acte York Herald. Springfield, Mass., Jan. 26,1876. One of the most a -ing and best planned bank robberies on record occur? red at the proverbially quiet town of Northampton last night. The particulars of the affair, as gather? ed from the bank officers and others, are as follows:?It seems that about mid? night last night a band of seven men, dis? guised, appeared at the house of John Whittlesey, cashier of the Northampton National Bank, on Elm street, and speed? ily took possession of it. Mr. Whittlesey was awakened by the grasp of a man's hand upon his throat, and his wife, lying by his side, was aroused by the hands of another man at Der throat. Man and wife were both quickly handcuffed, but were assured that if they did as they were told no harm would come to them. Mr. Whittlesey was taken to a lower room, one of the gang held a pistol to his head, and another standing by with a paper and pencil, they demanded his keys to the bank and bank vault, and proceeded to question him as to the combinations of the locks of the vault doors; and here their coolness and skill were displayed in an :traordinary manner. Mr. Whittle? sey was told to answer correctly and as rapidly as possible the numbers of the combination on the outer vault door, the inner vault door and of the locks on the inner safes in the vault. He answered as directed, but gave false combinations in each case. But no sooner had he gor e through the list than the man who had taken down the numbers given ordered him to repeat them. This, of course, he was unable to do; and it thus being evi? dent that he had lied he was then obliged to give the true combinations, being prompted to haste and accuracy by a sav ? age dig in his ribs and an evident dispo? sition on the part of the burglar who held the pistol to summarily shorten his earth' ly career, his personal injuries being really painful, although not dangerous. But although forced to give the true com? bination of the lock Mr. Whittlesey as? sured the burglars that it would be of lit? tle use to them, as he had but one of fou ? keys necessary to move the combination of the outer vault door. After getting all the information they could from Mr. Whittlesey they gagged him, as they had previously gagged and bound the other members of the household?his wife, a servant girl and a visitor, Miss Mattie C. White, of Williamsport, Pa., and also, in the other part of the house, T. B. Cutler, a printer, his wife and Maria Benton, an invalid boarder, making seven persons in all, the same number as in the burglars' gang. the robbery. Waiting till four o'clock, the time at which the two or three watchmen North? ampton possesses, including one whose special duty is to look after the safety of the banks, were accustomed to go home, five of the burglars proceeded to the bank, which they found no difficulty in entering. The Dank officers this morn? ing found the dials of the lock of the outer door of the vault broken, go that they have been unable to get into the vaults and have been in suspense all day in regard to its contents. Some have been inclined to the opinion that the bur? glars gained access to the treasure, and if they did they got a magnificent haul, and that they then closed the vault door and broke the dials to prevent the bank offi? cials from knowing the details of the loss andjthus securing one day in which to dispose of their plunder without danger of detection. The majority, however, are of the opinion that the dials of the lock were broken in the attempt to get the door open, and that the burglars were obliged; to leave before they had accom? plished their object, and this theory is most likely to be the correct one. When the two burglars who were left on guard at Mr. Whittlesey's house went away, about five o'clock, they left all the in? mates gagged and bound. But Mr. Whit? tlesey and Miss White soon succeeded in getting rid of their gags, and by their calls attracted passers by, who came in and released tnem. While waiting at the house the robbers were careful to ap? propriate Mr. Whittlesey's gold watch, worth $250, and also what money they could find, amounting, however, to no very large sum. There is plenty of evi? dence that the job was put up by a gang of professionals, but very little idea as to who they were. Six strangers got upon the first train for this city this morning at Northampton. Five of them had tickets and the sixth paid his fare and inquired what time the train left this city for New York. These were undoubtedly the bur? glars, who by this time are, doubtless, in safe niding in New York. There is also good evidence that they have been in the town for some time planning this and perhaps other like burglaries. The beauty of haying a bank vault loc ked, with the keys of several parts dis? tributed about the town, in keeping of different officials of the bank, is illustra? ted by the attempt of these burglars. The officials having the other parts of the key, all of which were necessary to give entrance; live, some of them, a mile from the cashiers house, and to handcuff and gag all of the four families would have let out the game. Beyond tho fright of the various persons gagged and hand? cuffed no serious personal injury was sus? tained, though the invalid Miss Benton suffered so much from excitement as to be quite ill to-day, and a fatal result is even feared. An entrance was effected to the vaults of the Northampton Bank, by the bank officials, about midnight, when it was found that the burglars had indeed been there before them, but just how much they got for their pains is still uncertain, but it is thought it will prove a large sum, although much of the securities which were carried off is of a kind that burglars will find it difficult to turn into cash. The bank officers and safe folks are com? pletely thrown aback at the success of the burglars in getting into the vault with only one of the four keys, even although they had the correct combination of the safe, the makers having claimed that no living man could open the vault doors without the four keys. That the gang was a "crack" and one who well under? stood their business there is now no doubt. Springfield, Mass., Jan. 29,1876. The excitement in this city and in the up river towns over the Northampton Bank robbery shows very little abatement as yet. In private, as well as in banking and commercial circles, it is the one theme of conversation. There is no de? nying that a very general alarm has been created all through the usually quiet, staid, unexcitable Connecticut valley, and how to prevent a recurrence of the affair is quite as much the problem pro? pounded and discussed as is the question of catching the men who skillfully clean? ed out the Northampton Bank vault, or recovering the plunder. The locksmiths and gunsmiths are happy, aa well they may be, for it is their harvest. The banks, one and all, are either swapping off their present looks for more improved ones, or at least strengthening the old ones with additional contrivances, as the chronometer attachment, for instance, while every old woman who has got the remnant or the semblance of an old sil? ver spoon in the house acts as if she ex? pected a visit from some Jack Sheppard and is doubling the bolts on doors and windows. As for the Northampton affair itself, every new development increases instead of diminishing its magnitude, and makes it emphatically the most daring and successful bank robbery in the American history of such felonies, and could have been carried on by none save the moBt skillful experts. It is now pretty clearly proved that the amount of the securities which the rob? bers carried off aggregated fully $750, 000, if, indeed, it did not exceed a round million, and that fully $400,000 of this amount is easily negotiable, which only renders mor.j faint the hope expressed by Borne of the bank officials, that the rob? bers will soon be offering to negotiate for f compromise, returning the stolen secu? rities for say $100,000 cash and no ques? tions asked. Such a proposition it is said would be received with considerable favor. Just how much was got will Srobably never be known, owing to the eposits (these deposits being special ones simp. / left for safe keeping by their owners) not being recorded by the bank, as is the case with safe deposit compa? nies, but were placed in the vault, in the original envelopes or packages in which they were when brought in, and their contents were not known even to the bank officers. It is coming cut that these private deposits, which were not opened by the bank people, are bigger than has been supposed, a sample case being that of one man supposed to have $15,000 in his package, who proves to have had $82,000. The report that the town of Northamp? ton loses bj the robbery is incorrect. The town's deposit of $50,000 was in reg? istered bonds, which are entirely protec? ted, no dividends being drawn save ,by special order. an 1m poet ant clew. The great amount of property obtained by the burglars and the heavy reward offered for their arrest has called into service the most skilled detective talent of the country. Besides the efforts made under direction of Superintendent Wall? ing, of New York, no less than seven private detective bureaus are already en? listed. There are innumerable theories of course as to who the robbers were, and where they are, but there are few clews that promise much result. There is one clew, however, which, if carefully worked, may lead to the detection of one at least, and probably the leader, of the gang. The photograph of a New York burglar, who is described as about forty years old, and weighing some 200 pounds, which, was brought on by one of the New York detectives, is recognized at Northampton as that of a stranger seen in the town several times during the past month. He corresponds also in size to the "large per? son" noted by Cashier Whittlesey as the leader of the gang when they were bind? ing him and his family on the night of the robbery. It is also remembered that several months ago just such a man came into the Hampshire County Bank, at Northampton, and spent nearly an hour with the cashier talking about invest? ments, taking meanwhile a position so that he could look into the open vault. About the same time the President of the Crocker Bank, at Turner's Falls, received a letter from a party in New York, pro? fessing to be a detective, who wrote that a raid was soon to be made on that bank and the one in Shelburne Falls, and ask? ing for employment in tracking the cracks? men. The letter was shown to a leading New York business man, who declared it ro be a device of burglars to become fa? miliar with the bank, and he casually re? marked that a man rode some distance with him on the northern train from this city a day'or two before, whom he knew to be a burglar. His description of the man tallies with the photograph now re? cognized by the local officers, and there would seem to be little doubt that he was the leader of the gang who "cracked" the Northampton Bank. His name the de? tectives, of course, refuse to divulge to the people, but they profess little doubt of their ability to track out his wherea? bouts ere long. Springfield, Mass., Jan. 31,1876. Northampton was put in a feverish condition again this afternoon, not by at other bank burglar, but by the arrival in town, in charge of officers, of a noto? rious burglar named Stevens, who has been arrested on suspicion of being con? cerned in the bank burglary last week. A large crowd had gathered at the depot on the strength of a rumor that he was coming, but were disappointed, the offi? cers taking him off the smoking car" and quietly walking him uptown, while the Northampton oficer, just for a ruse, kept his team at the other end of the depot, where the crowd waited in vain. Only half a dozen followed the prisoner to the Mansion House, where in a room he was examined by officers and bank officials. The stairway from the lower to the upper hall of the hotel was guarded by Deputy Sheriff Plotter, and Policemen D. L. Har? ries and J. D. Brewer, of Springfield, were among the examining party. the robbery prophesied. Whether he is one of a gang, and what evidence has been obtained against him, are all matters ef guess-work yet, as the officers are very reticent on the subject. It is recalled with considerable interest by persons in this city to-day that the peripatetic advent preacher, Elder Lutz, who has been holding forth in this city and over the river in West Springfield this winter, told his people two or three weeks ago that there was going to be a robbery hereabouts. He was not sure it would be in this city, but Springfield or some town in the vicinity was doomed. The ground on which he based his pre? diction was that he had seen in town, sev? eral professional gentlemen with whom he was acquainted in those remote days, when, tradition says, he was "one of the b'hoys" himself, ana whom he knew to be accomplished cracksmen who would not be hanging about without a job, and a big one, on hand. It is not impossible that the Elder will be the humble instru? ment in bringing some of the gang to jus? tice, thereby gaining honor and ducats and earning the gratitude of the commu? nity. Among the persona who supposed they had lost their all and are now hap? pily disappointed to find they did not, through the negligence of the burglaes, is Mr. W. E. Thayer, a merchant and cutlery manufacturer, of Williamsburg, just above Northampton. On going to the bank to-day to confer with the offi? cials in reference to the best mode of re? covering his securities, h; discovered that his box was not in the new safo that the burglars rifled, but all secure in the old safe. The box contained also the bonds owned by his three oldest children, an inheritance from their mother, Mr. Thay er's first wife. It is said that the whole amount thus missed by the cracksmen was about $50,000. It is estimated that the pile of bonds lost by Bichmond Kings man, of Cummington, amounted to $150,000^ Shall We Hare Hogs! Editor Southern Cultivators? Shall we have hogs to raise our own moat, or shall we continue the ruinous policy of relying on the West to supply it? This is not a new question by anymcans, but, as it is a vital one, its repetition should not be considered out of place. There are a large number of farmers who seem to have settled the question in the negative, and are not disposed to:raxih sider. Some of these are among those who, this year, paid their merchants twenty cents per pound for bacon?and, by the way, paid for it this fall in cotton at lib to 12} cents. In a great many in? stances, sad to say, these bacon accounts will have to go over and be worked put next year, or some following year. Ask a dozen farmers why they do not raise their meat, and eleven reply, "It is impossible, the hogs will be stolen;." The twelfth in broad terms, "The West can supply me cheaper than I can raises it, even if my hogs are not stolen." Now, as it is a matter ot judgment with the latter, and perhaps-his circum? stances may justify nis conclusions, we shall not attempt to controvert his opin? ion; but we are disposed to tackle the preponderating eleven. We do not de? sire to be understood to say that it is a delusion to suppose that a hog will be stolen, if he is allowed to range where he listeth; for we are ready to admit the existence of strong innate tendencies in the breast of the average African that are prone to lead him astray whenever pork is concerned. In other words, to parody a couplet of 1he venerable Cow per? When a hog and an African stand opposite to.vleir, The hog's dissolution is apt to ensue.' All this.we admit, and .yet.(contend that it is practicably to raise a good por? tion, if not all our meat When our hat and overcoat disappear mysteriously from the rack some, raw winter morning, We are not likely to Con? clude that sitting by the fire is the der? nier resort, in the matter. Reason is not slow to suggest that economy demands a replacement of the articles, in order that we may proceed with our customary em? ployment We repla.ee them, anil -have ? something to say about a catch bolt for the hall door. And in respect to the sub? ject under consideration, if hogs, that are permitted to range at; large, are stolen, why can we not confine them to more limited areas and, with the aid of a. thief proof pen or house, still continue to raise meat with satisfactory profit?not for ex? port, but merely to supply our own con? sumption ? Now that Southern agricul? ture is carried on mostly by small farm? ers, what an easy matter it would be to do this if every farmer would only recog? nize the importance, and admit the prac? ticability, of raising their meat, even un? der the new order of things. By con? structing a substantial covered pen or house in suitable proximity to the dwell? ing, and by devoting from one to ten acres about the pen to a "hog walk,11 out of which the sows are not allowed to range, this stealing business can be effec? tually checked, and raising hogs, yet be? come an interesting and profitable em? ployment in the South. The aforesaid Een or house may be constructed out Of eavy logs or plank, and provided with a small door with a good lock; and should have a plank floor, so that the house can be cleaned and disinfected easily'at cer? tain intervals. By planting the land set apart as a range .with peas, chufes, arti? chokes, &.c, and pasturing the same with the aid of a movable fence, cheap food can be provided for the hogs until the season arrives for corn feeding. In addi? tion to this source of food there should be, on every farm, a large boiler and fur? nace, or steamer if means will justify, which, by virtue of its necessity to the milch cows, should not be charged to the hog department, but which the hogs-will derive benefit from during the winter, when turnips are in season, and which, when boiled, may be given at the close of day, to encourage them to return to their lodging under lock and key. They can soon oe trained to come to their pen at night-fall by throwing them a little corn. And now, to come to the most im? portant part, it should be the object of farmers, raising hogs under such circum? stances, to so improve their stock, by a selection and crossing with the Berkshires or other, improved breeds on selected na? tive stock, that, instead of requiring a dozen to supply twenty-five. hundred pounds of bacon, four or five will do it. In starting out but few farmers would be able, or, at any rate, feel .able, to pur? chase alone a fine boar. The best way to secure one, therefore, would. be to get up a club of four, five or more.neighbor? ing farmers and purchase one, tobe held, as the common property of the club and for the use of its members alone. His services might be sold to outsiders for sufficient to maintain him, and per-, haps pay back the original cost besides.. Of course, to secure high improvement in the stock, it will be necessary to im? port a new one to run with the progeny of the previous one. .If a number, of clubs tor such ? purpose existed in a County, animals might be .exchanged among them the second year to mutual advantage. As we are not capable of exhausting this important subject, we leave it with the hope that abler pens will take it up and press upon our farm-' era the necessity of reviving the good old days of spare ribs, backbones, pig feet, souse, sausage; better living and more independence. 0. Poverty and Large Crops.?Proba? bly in no year since the establishment of this Republic has there been more pinch.*: ing want, suffering, starvation, business embarrassment, and financial depression than the year just closed. And yet the crops have been more abundant than be? fore, .and nature more prolific in provid? ing for the physical wants of man. Man and government and not nature are to blame that there is much want and trou? ble abroad in the land. The agricultural reports for November and December say that the November returns indicate that the corn crop of 1875 was one of 'the lar? gest ever grown in this country, proba? bly equaling the very large crops of 1870 ' and 1872. It is at least a fourth greater than the crop of 1874, and about a third larger than the crop of 1869 reported in the last census. Every section in the Union reports an increase. Keep to One Thing.?We earnestly entreat every young man after he has chosen his vocation to stick to it. Don't leave it because hard blows are to be struck, or disagreeable work performed. Those who have worked their way up to wealth and usefulness, do not belong to the shiftless and unstable class, but may be reckoned among such as took off their ' coats, rolled up their sleeves, conquered their prejudice against labor, and man? fully bore the heat and burden of the day. Whether upon the old farm where our fathers toiled diligently, striving to bring - the soil to productiveness, in the machine shop or factory, or the thousand other j business places that invite honest toil and skill, let the mottoever be,"Persever? ance and Indastry^^ ' ? When we hear about a saloon-keep? er being in a tight place, it is natural to conclude that he is attending closely to his business.