The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-12-25

ftlld nal fnd fheIe. The young lsdy ftlt
quite indignant II his Plaionisms. and il
was only aher scene, thar she credited
the true state of things.
unuld pnrred with The n'her oi my
ill.ialed friends adventures. did not think
the reader su,friird with the present. fnr
week. al least. The next 'wayerly'
will answer onr purpose just as well. if
nos better. .7a reroir.
IR.ru!y Aagr-ias.
"REMINISCENCES OF DANIEL WEB
sTER.
The clerk Of the Court Of Common
Pleas for the country Of Hillsborough,
New Hampshire, resigned his Office in
January, 1905. Mr.. Webster's father
was one Of the judges Of this court; and
his colleagues from regard for him. ten
dered his son the vacant elerkship. II
vas what Judge Webster had long
desired. The Office was worth 81 500
per annum, which was in those days.
and in that ncighborhood, a competen-
cv; or rather absolute wealth. Mr..
Webster himself considered il great
prize, and was eager to accept il. He
weighed the question in his mind. On
the one side he saw immediate COM
fort; on the other, at the best doubt
ful struggle. BY its acceptance. he
made sure his own good condition, and
what was nearer to his heart, that of
his family. BY its refusal he condemn
ed both himself and them to an uncer-
tain, and probably harrassing future.
Whatever aspirations he might have
cherished Of professional distinction, he
was willing cheerfully to relinquish. to
promote the immediate welfare Of those
he held most dear.
But Mr.. Gore lthe eminent lawyer
with whom he studied, peremptorily
and vehemently interposed his dissent.
He urged every argument against the
purpose. He exposed its absurdity and
its consequence. He appealed to the
ambition Of his pupil; once a clerk, he
said, he always would be clerk-thcre
would be no step upward. He attack
ed him, too, on the side Of his family
affection; telling him that he would be
far more able to CRAFTY his friends from
his professional labors than in the clerk
ship. I" Go on" he said, sand finish
your studies; you are poor enough, but
there are greater evils than poverty; live
on no mans favor: what bread yeu do
eat, let il be the bread ofindepcndence;
pursue your professions; make yourself
useful to you friends. and a little for
midable to your enemies, and you have
nothing to FEAR"
Diverted from his design by argu-
ments like these, it still remained to
Mr.. Webster to acquaint his father
with his determination, and satisfy him
Of its propriety. He felt this would be
no easy task, as his father had set his
heart upon the office; buthe determined
to 90 home Immediately, and give him
in full the reasons for his conduct.
1t was mid winter, and he looked
around for country sleigh-for stage
coaches at that time were things un-
known in the centre of New Hamp-
shire--and finding one that had come
down to market, he took passage there
in, and in two or three days was set
down at his fathers door. THE same
journey is now made in four hours by
steam.) 1t was evening when he ar
rived. have heard him tell the story
of the interview. His father was sitting
before the fire, and received him with
manifest joy. He looked feebler than
he had ever appeared, but his counten-
ance lighted up on seeing his cierA
stand before him in good health and
spirits. He lost no time in alluding to
the great appointment-said how spon-
taneous it had been made-how kindly
the chief justice proposed it, with what
unanimity all assented, &c. During
this speech, it can be well imagined
how embarrassed Mr.. WebsterfeIt, com
PEELED, as he thought, from convic-
tion Of duty, to disappoint his fathers
sanguine expectations. Nevertheless,
he commanded his countenance and his
voice so as to reply in sufficiently as
sured manner. He spoke gaily about
the Office: expressed hls great obliga-
tion to their honors, and his intention
to write them most respectful letter;
if he should have consented to record
anybody's judgments, he should have
been proud to have recorded their
honors', &c., &c. He proceeded in this
strain, till his father exhibited signs of
amazement, it having occurred to him,
finally, that his son might all the while
be serious" Do you intend to decline
this Office ?" he said at length. "Most
certainly" replied his son, cannot
think Of doing otherwise. mean to
use my tongue in the courts, not my
pen; to be an actor, not a register Of 9TH
er mems actions"
For = moment Judge Webster ap-
peared angry. He rocked his chair
slightly, fash went over his eye. sof-