Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-11-01


every argument against the purpose.--
He exposed its absurdity and its consc-
quence. He appealed 10 the ambition
of his pupil; once clerk, he said, he
always would be clerk-there would
be no step upward. He attacked him,
too, on the side of his family affection;
telling HIM that he would be far more
able 10 crafty his friends from his pro-
fessional labors than in the clerkship.--
Go on he said .and finish your studies;
you are poor enough, but there are grea-
ter evils than poverty; live on no mans
favor; what bread you do eat, let it be
the bread of independence; pursue your
profession; make yourself useful TO your
friends, and little formidable to your
enemies, and vou have nothing to fear.
Diverted from his design by arguments
like these, it still remained to Mr.. Web
ster to acquaint his father with his de-
termination, and satisfy him of It's pro.
priety. He felt this would be no easy
task, as his father had set his heart SO
MUCH upon the office; but he determined
to 90 home Immediately, and give him
in full the reason of his conduct.
1t was mid winter, and he looked
round for country sleigh--for stage
coaches at that time were things un-
known TO the centre of New Hampshire
and finding one that had come down to
market, he took passage therein, and in
two or three days was set down at his
fathers door. ('rhe same journey is
made now in four hours by steam.) Ii
was evening when he arrived. have
heard him tell the story of the interview.
His father was setting before the fire,
and received him with manifest Joy
He looked feebler than he had ever APP
peared, bat his countenance lighted on
seeing his clerk stand before him in good
health ard spirits. He lost no time in
alluding to the great appointment-said
how Spontaneously it had been made
how kindly the chief justice proposed it,
with what unanimity all assented, &C.,
&c. During this speech, it can be well
imagined how embarrassed Mr.. Web.
sier felt compelled, as he thought, from
conviction OF duty to disappoint his
fathers sanguine expectations. Never
theless. he commanded his countenance
and voice SO as to reply in sufficiently
assured manner. He spoke gaily about
the Office; expressed his g eat obligation
10 their honors, and his intention TO write
them most respectful letter; if he could
have consented 10 record anybody's
judgments he should lave been proud to
have recorded their Honors, &c., &c
lie 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 define the oilice!. he said al
length. Most certainly replied his
son, i cannot think Of doing otherwise.
| mean to use my tongue in the courts,
not my pen; to be an actor, not register
of other mems aclions.'
For moment Judge Webster seemed
angry. He rocked his chair slightly, a
flash went over his eye, sofiened by age,
but even then black as jet, but it i'm
mediataly disappeared, and his counte-
nance regained its usna! serenity. Par
entail love and partiality could not after
all bu, have been gralified with the sons
devotion to an honor able and distinguish
ell profession, and seeming confidence Of
success in il. We'll. my son. said
Judge Webster finally, Your mother
has always said that you would come to
something or nothing, she was not sure
which. think you are now about set
ling that doubt for her. The Judge
never aiterward spoke to his son on the
subject.