Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-24
KATE.
A Story Well Told.
WASHINGTON, July 90.

Hardly man in the State is wider known as
an inveterate wag and joker than John A. Col
ler. His reputation as logical reasoner and
H)und lawyer, is not more extensive than his
fame as humorist and piquant narrator Of conf
Gil events His speech in the National House OF
Representatives some twenty years ago, in which
he likened the evolutions of the Democracy of this
State, under the command of the Albany Regen-
cy, to the varied movements of contra dance,
was 4 capital hit, and placed him at once in the
font rank of satirica debaters. This was followed
by several contributions to the newspaper press,
ia which the peculiarities Of well known politicians
we're ridiculed, all without malice, but in gery
lppy and effective manner. His description of
{ he last entertainment given by Mr.. Van Buren,,
D eviously to his retirement from the Presidency
fancy sketch, of course-was greatly admired
I'd had general run through the papers. 1t was
o le of the cleverest things ever written in this
country. Some Of the shots were telling beyond
Il ,scription. Mr.. Webster read it at supper par
one evening about the time Of his retirement
from the Senate to become a member OF General
Harrison's Cabinet, in his best style, and with
wonderful effect.
There never was better reader than Mr. Web
sser, and no one ever had a keener sense of the
ldicrous, or nicer perception of the humorous
points Of story. He was perfect mimic Of dia-
lsct or any curious oddity of manner and described
an amusing scene with felicity of style and tone
rarely witnessed. He enjoyed Mr.. Golfers fun
with exquisite relish and those who recollect the
article alluded to, and have had the pleasure TO
s,e Mr.. Webster in one Of his more genial mood !,
GU, form some idea OF the treat enjoyed by the
guests at that supper--the intellectual treat, we
mean. A wellknown Western orator, who was
Mr.. Websters Cabinet associate, 80 much de-
lighted with the wit and satire of the SKETCH and
Mr.. Websters manner of illustrating IL, that he
fairly laughed himself out Of his chair and fell on
the floor.
But we are in a fair way to " make our vestibule
larger than our house." Our purpose simply
to tell an anecdote in which the laugh is rather
against Mr.. Collier. He was in town yesterday
with his family, and wishing to take an airing
called carriage driven by Patlander of the dens-
1t and most literal kind.
"And where does yer honor want to goi"
1--WE wish 70 see what is most interesting In the
place. Drive us about the town"
ais il round the town, yer honor"
ayes, yes" said Mr.. c., impatiently; "go
ahead"
"Sure and / viii, yer honor, and of he started
Leaving the American, Pat drove down street
TO Erie turning down Erie, he went TO the ba-
sin, then on TO the dock, and SO through Water
and Prime streets, out to Ohio; then to the Hy-
draulics, and up Jefferson street to the old city
line. Not particularly admiring what Mrs. Part
iugton calls outsquirts Of city, Mr.. @. called a
parley, and commenced TO demonstrate with the
Irishman.
els this what you call seeing the town? Where
the devil are you goingP
"'Round the town, as yer honor directed me
and I've got round too, all but going down TO the
canal and long the tow path to Erie street, where
we started from."-Bufato Com. Advertiser.