New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-06
NETWORK TRIBUNE.


II ne Editor Of TAs n y Triesss:
AT the time when compromise and fugitive
slave law the theme OF discourse In almost every
circle, was spendings few dsys with widow lady,
who resided In the vicinity Of Mr.. webssers early
home.
One evening when few friends were present, sosne
severe remarks were msde upon his late course in
Congress which drew forth the assertion that he was
'sp nhdel"
Mr. Webster an p6delr exclaimed the widow. IL
cannot believe that | have known him long, and
though he had many failing keptcism not one Of
them lrogTei that by taking step that certainly does
seem ike sacrifice OF principle he has laid himself
open to censure, but still constrained to believe
Notwithstanding all his mpericction) that he Is chris
trian. If it would not ssvor too much of esossm
could relste incidents that would think, con.
vince you that whatever his political views may have
been. he certainly not nhdel."
We begged her TO favor US with the relation and abe
gave US the following incident.
ME-. Webster and my husband became acquainted
in early life, and the friendship Of youth extended TO
ripper years. They truly congenial spiri,s and
sought each others society much possible. But
the of business length separated them aud for
many years they seldom met My husband settled
down in this place and Mr. w forth to battle for
the right in the councils Of the nation.
For some time we greatly prospered. A lucra-
tive business brought u wealth almost beyond our
hopes Two children came like sunbeam to light up
our happy home with their Joyous smiles and to cheer
spirits with their innocent prattle. Those were
happy days, and love to recall them. But alas
They were covered with clouds Of darkness that
the eye of faith could hardly penetrate
"Some of the firms In which my husbands fund.-
were placed became inyoIssas a. ' 6nd tia, every ef
. ~ sreovcr H. but plunged him deeper into difficult
", he became disheartened, Soon his health failed,
and he was compelled TO give up his business entirely.
He then sold the shop and what else could spare,
and with the avsls paid every debt except one. This
was due TO fhend, who chose to wait for his money
rather than take from US the cottage where we lived
the only property could then call our own But
hardly was the arrangement made when the gentle
man died, leaving the note In the hands OF one who
knew not how to show mercy He demanded immc-
date Payment and were about to sell our house,
when cur Oldest child taken down with fever and
soon left U.S. 40 we hope for better world. The
disease Frustrated my husband and when the physician
told me he must die, felt that my cup Of sorrow was
full But no /; | was mistaken. There yet anoth-
er drop to be mingled In that cup Of bitterness While
my husband yet fingered between life and death, my
dsug liter, the only remaining child taken sck al
20 and after five days suffering, she left u.s. to
join her brother In the spirit land"
DO YOU ask how bore this second bereavement ]
believe had not leisure to think of 1t. All my time
all my attention was given to my husband, who was
slowly but surely going down to the grave had even
forgotten the hard-hearted creditor But he did not
forget Incxorabe death itself he came at the time
appointed and demanded the money. ! think he must
have been intoxicated, fer am man In his
Der senses could have been so cruel. told him my
husband dying but he replied Sorry, sorry 20
hear il He won't earn any more money, aud, as you
cant pay up, IN just take the house You can live
somewhere else, you'll have to look after
interrupted his cruel remarks, and thinking TO move
his feengs, led him to the where lay the cold
form Of my child.
Vain hope might well have tried TO move an
iceberg After much entreay obtained permission to
remain in the house while my loved one lived
dition that gave up the furniture This promised,
that might no more be troubled with his loahsome
presence.
The man leh me, and sank into chair, utterly
overcome the prospect OF the desolaon before me-
Al that moment heard rap at the door. could not
rise to obey the summons. ! felt that my heart was
breaking But the door slowly opened, and Mr.. Web
ster stood before me. He had come home on visit,
and, without knowing anything Of our SORROWS be rode
over 10 zee ana embrace us curry Ifcnns Wh"t Was
his surprse 10 find him thus And when the story Of
our troubles had been told when he had assured him
self that his long cherished friend had but few more
hours to live, he "a down and wept.
Then he asked TO the corpse of his little pet,
who, when be last visited u.s. sat upon his knee and
played with his watch As he 10 leave the bed,
my husband said In whisper; Fetch her 10 me, that
TOO may look upon that sweet face once more
I'VE placed the still beautiful form beside the bed,
and standing IT, gave ourselves up TO uncontros-
bic grief When able to command his voice, Mr. w.
,ad: Let US pray. And kneeling there, beside tho
dying and the dead be prayed none but Christian
can pray. Sure Am that prayer 90 earnest 20 full
of faith and hope in the Redeemer was never poured
forth from the lips of an infdel
Gladly would he have stopped with us through The
night But business forbade his stay. He len as ADD
Is he grasped for the last time the hand Of his dying
friend those pale features lighted up with smile
of hope, such as they had not worn for many day.
The troubled spirit at rest for the assurance had
been given that the widow should be provided for In
her sfAiction.
my husband died the next day. ! saw no more OF
the hardhesrtsd creditor and the house remained
soid. still occupy IT, and the room where Mr.. Web
ster kneeled in prayer TO me sacred place" VA.