Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-27
No. 40.
From the Harrisburg Telegraph.
HONEST JOHN DAVIS'S WIFE

HONEST JOHN DAVIS'S WIFE.
f The following beautiful extract is from tn
reply of Mr.. Halstead, to the ladies of New
Jersey, on the occasion of presenting Harri
son Banner, for the convention on the 23rd
ult. 1t embodies one of the most delightful
and refreshing anecdotes of the present con.
test-full of that high and lofty patriotism for
--iIicl I,~ d.-st->- e -----i-..;~-,.rs,
isres were so distinguished, and presenting a
picture of private worth, which would impart
additional lustre to the proud consorts of the
Caesars, or add dignity to the memory of the
The picture which is drawn also Of the two
Honorable Senators, who
''Albeit, unused to the melting mood,
Dropp'd tears as fast as the Arabian tree
Its gum medcinal,''
is one, which cannot detract from their fame,
but must add another gem to the bright cata-
logue ofproofs, that the heart of the studious
and careworn statesman has its tender chord,
which touched by pity or affection, "will
discourse most eloquentmusic."
We commend the extract to our readers, as
beautiful specimen ofdescriptive eloquence,
invested with pathos which speaks to the
very soul; and if they do not feel the '.heart
growing big" ard rushing to their Threats as
they peruse it, and strange mistiness glaz-
ing the eye,and gently trickling down on the
paper, wly,they are more stoical than Daniel
Webster, honest John Davis, or their humble
servant, the writer hereof -
At q recent Wing Convention held at Wor-
cester, i'm the State Of Massachusetts, the la
dy of Honest john Davis, the present worthy
and able Senator from that State, sent word
to the committee Of arrangements that she
had nine beds, in which she could accommo-
date nine Wing delegates, or, if they were
good naiured men, eighteen; and she invited
40 or SO OF the delegates to dine with her,
Having made all preparations for the invited
guests, she repaired to the Convention to
hear the Wing orators. After the speaking
was over she hurried home for the purpose of
receiving her expected company: but she had
scarcely reached her house before the sounds
of martial music saluted her ear. She APP
preached the window, and there saw. drawn
up before her door, band Of l SO OF 200 men,
who sent deputation to her to say they
would do themselves the honor of taking din
ner with her. AT this unexpected annuncia-
ton her woman's heart at first sunk within
her, but Immediately the good old genuine
Wing spirit, which is always equal to any
emergency, particularly when it has dash
of Bunker Hill blood in it, rallied, and by
its recuperative energy, at once restored her
to her wonted composure. And what do you
think she said Gentlemen said she, 'the
string OF my door Is never pulled in. You
are welcome to partake with me of my log ca.
bin fare. Walk in, Gentlemen They did
walk In, and she at once set about charging
her tables and replenishing her board with
provisions for this accession of unexpected
guests; and with that admirable management
which is characteristic of Yankee as well as
Jersey matrons, she was soon able to accom-
modate the whole Of her guests, expected and
unexpected, for they all ate and were filled.
How many baskets of fragments there were
left, l did not learn; but, / suppose, at least
enough to supply all the poor in the neigh
borhood for week to come. In her letter to
her husband, this Bay-State Wing matron
says, ''that the wine and water, beer and
hard cider, flowed In streams, and the way
that Honest John Davis's wife's cake disap-
peared, was caution" When Honest John
received this letter, describing in those true
| and graphic coiors which a woman's pen a.
lone can give to such a scene, he was sitting
in the Senate chamber, and as he read it, ''the
big round tears coursed orc another do,cn his
manly cheek;" and as he wiped them away,
he said to himself, "what fool ain to be
so affected" After he had perused the letter
he handed it to Mr.. Webster, saying, .'there.
Webster, you say you take pleasure in read
ingmy wife's letters, read that" Webster
took the letter, and, as he read, Honest John
watched the workings of his noble features.
and he soon saw the tear glistenng in his
large black eye, and then rolling down the
bronzed cheek of this intellectual giant, and
Honest John said to himself, sWell, I'm not
SO great fool, neither" When Webster
had finished reading, he drew long breath,
and grasped the hand Of Honest John, and
said, ''Sir, it is the finest letter eUer read in
my life" Now, my fair hearers, have you
any idea of The worth Of such fair Wing as
that? 1 tell you such Wing is worth
kingdom; and the tears which she drew forth
from the eyes Of such men as John Davis and
Daniel Webster. were more precious than all
the gems that ever sparkled in royal diadem.
CDnN-TAI.