The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-12-30
From the New York Tribune.
,sp JUFp-TEp AN JNFIDEIt

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home.
One evening when few friends were
present, some severe remarks were made
upon his late course in Congress, which
drew forth the assertion that he. was IAN in
lideln
"Mr. Webster an infdel!" exclaimed the
widow. 81 cannot believe that. | have
known him long, and though he had many
tailngs, skepticism was not one Of them.
regret that by taking a step that certain
" does seem like sacrifice of principle.
ne has laid himself open TO censure, but
still am constrained to believe (notwith
standing all his imperfection) that he 10 q
christian. Ifit would not SAVIOR too much
Of egotism, could relate some instances
that would, think, convince you whatever
his political views NAV have been, he Ger
tainly was not an th lei.
We begged her to favor US with the re.
ation, aud she gave us the following Incl
dent.
"Mr Webster and my husband became
acquainted in early life, aud the friend
ship of youth extended TO ripper years. They
we're truly congenal spirits, and sought
each others society as much as possible.
But the cares Of business at length sepaf
ated them, and for many years they seldom
met My husband setted down in this place,
and Mr.. w. went forth to battle for the
rinh, inthe counsels Of The nation.
"For some time we were greatly pres.
pered. A lucrative business brought Us
wealth almost beyond our hopes. Two
children came like sunbeam to light up
our happy home with joyous smiles, and so
cheer our spirits with their innocent prat-
lie. Those were happy days, and | love te
recall them. But alas! They were soon
covered with clouds Of darkness, that even
The eve Of faith could hardly pene
trate.
"Some Of the firms in which my hus-
bands funds were placed, became involved
nd our little all was swept from our grasp.
When be found that every effort to recover
| it. hut plunged him deeper into difficulty,
he became disheartened. Soon his health
failed, aud he was compelled TO give up hi
business entirely. He then sold the shop.
and what else we could spare, and with the
avais paid every debt except one. This
was due 10 a friend, who chose to wait for
/ lis money rather than teke from US the cot
tage where we lived; the only property we
could then call our own. But hardly was
the arrangement made when the gentleman
died, leaving the note in the hands OF one
who knew not how to show mercy. Tie
demqnded immediate payment, and we
were about to sell our house, when our old
est child was taken down with fever, and
soon left US. as we hope. for better world
The same disease Frustrated my husba nd
and when the physician told me he must
die, felt that my cup Of sorrow was lnll.-
But no! was mistaken. There was yet
another drop to be mingled in that cup Of
bitterness. While my husband vet linger
ed between life and death, my daughter The
only remaining child, was taken sick also,
and after five days suffering, she left us too
to Join her brother in the "splrit land"
.Do YOU ask how bore this second be-
reavement? believe had no leisure
to think of it. All my time, all my atten-
| ,ian, was given 10 my husband who was
slowly going down to the grave. | had
even forgotten the hard hearted creditor
But he did not forget. lneyorabIe as death
itself, he came at the time appointed and
dema nded the money. think he must
have been intoxicated, for am sure no
man in his sober senses could have been go
cruel told him nv husband was diving
but he replied; Sorry, sorry to hear it
| He won't earn any more money, and as
YOU can't pay up, I'll just take the house
| You can live somewhere else, as you'll have
no one to look afier' | interrupted his
cruel remarks and thinking to move his
feelings. led him to the room where lay
the ccld form of my child.
"Vain hope! | might as well have tried to
move an iceberg. After much entreaiy.
obtained permission 10 remain in the
house while nv loved one lived, on condl
ZION that | gave up the furniture. This
promised, that might be no more troub-
led with his loathsome presence.
The man left me, and ! sank into q
chair utterly overcome at the prospect OF
The desola,ion before me. AT that nome nj
heard rap at the door. could not rise
TO obey the summons. | felt that my heart
was breaking. But the door slowly open
ed, and Mr.. Webster stood before me. Tie
| had come home on visit, and without
knowing anything ofour sorrows, he rode
over to see aud embrace his early friend
What was his surprise to find him thus.
And when the story of our troubles had
been told, when he assured himself that
| his long cherished friend had bat ie"
more hours to live, he sat down and
wept.
"Then he asked to see the corpse OF his
little pet, who, when he last visited us, sat
upon his knee and played with his watch.
As he rose to leave the bed, my husba nd
said in 4 whisper: Fetch her to me, that |
too may look upon her sweet face once
more
1--WE placed the still beautiful form be
side the bed, and. standing near it, gave
ourselves up to uncomfortable grief
When able to command his voice, Mr..
Webster said:-'Let us pray And
kneeling there beside the dying and the
dead, he prayed as none but Christian
can pray. Sure | am that a prayer So
earnest, so full Of faith and hope in the Re.
deemer, was never poured forth from the
In, ,f i,Elal