Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-06-03
Daniel Webster and Joe D

1 p"hftA VtOStCI dhu JUG
There is an incident connected with the
llie OF our great statesman, Daniel Web.
ster, which | have never seen reported
but, as | know it to be true, and it illus.
traits one phrase of his character not often
presented to the world, will tell the story
as il occurred.
The year 1850 | passed in Plymouth
Mass. making my home at tie :" Samoset,
the house for a cool brerzp, social chat,
and a quiet home. Parker and Tribou
were the proprietors. / can almost hear
Jim's step through the hall, his tireless
tongue keeping time to his flying feet. He
is in the ''Astor" now.
Mr.. Webster's residence, at Marshfield,
was about ten miles distant, but here he
often came to meet his personal and politi-
cal friends. and in the summer months it
was his favorie resort, aud often we had
him for days together, an ever-welcome
guest. Here he seemed at home Here
we forgot that he was the statesman, but
we never can forget that he was a social
and agreeable gentleman. His table talk,
his twilight conversation, will ever be re-
memhered by those who were fortunate
enough to enjoy them.
Fishing slong beautiful brook, winding
through the forrest OF scrubby pines that
covers the country short distance from the
bay. was his morning recreation. Dressed
in his neverfailing blue coat, AMI gilt but
ions his memorable straw hat, and his
hong rubber bouts, he presented 10 the
stranger the appearance Of anything but
gadlike.
The stream he loved so well was famous
for trout, and he was famous for not catch
ing them. Often he would SIT for hours on
moss-coveied stone in retired nook, his
line dangling in and above the water, but
never a bite; and if there had heen. the
fish was safe. for h. was entirely uncon-
scious of all around and about him. One
warm, sulry morning in July, while thus
absorbed, he was aroused by hearing from
over across the stream:
TIuIlo, there hullo, say How are
you? Nice morning this Coz any fish
Have aty bites How dye gel over there
I've been fishing TWO hours; nary bite.
see you have long boots on; what'il you
take TO carry me over? don't want 10 get
my feet wet. I'll pay ye vel; what'I ye
take p
Here he paused long enongh for Mr.
Webster, who ha / all the time been sur
veying the speaker Ga slight-built, dandified
youth) to ask:
What viii you give ?"
Well, quarter; that's 'nough aint it ?"
Well, YES; I.suppose it is"
So, quietly laying down his rod, he took
his way TO our Boston boy, Joe D,
who, by The way, was as good a fellow as
ever sold tape; he was now on three
davs' fnrlough and bound to crowd all The
fi>hing sea-bathing, and sight seeing of
season into tic allotted three days time,
and one was rapidly passing away. Mr..
W ebsier seated himself on the bank Joe |
mounted his shoulders, and like Caesar
whom Cas>ius from the raging Tiber bore,
so Joe upon the godl,ke shoulders safely |
crossed The stream. The quarter quickly |
changed hands. Mr.. Webster qui, tly set |
tied into his accustomed seat, Willie Joe, on I
further pleasure bent, FASTENED up the I
stream. Tired and hungry. he reformed I
late for dinner and passed into the dining
hall, where the guests were engaged in the /
last act OF the drama.
Our BoStonnn, however, fell to it with
an appetite sharpened 10y his morning ex-
ercise, and with full determination 10
make up in sp ed what he had lost in time !
SO intent on his own affairs was he, that he |
ook no notice of those around The table |
until some one requested Mr.. Webster TO |
relate his morning adventures.
To-, IooLaI ,,r md foIl,,u.;,,,, ,,,;tb or,,
he direction of all eyes, he beheld his
morning Aaeas. Turning to his nearest
,eighhur h. asked:
Who is thlt?'
THAT why that's Daniel Webster"
He fund no further use for his knife and /
ork, and was silently leaving the table,
When Mr.. Webster saw and recognized
lim; with look or nod (Joc could never
ell which) detained him. and requested him
o take wine. He took the wine with a
rembling hard, and, with Il look of earnest
begged Mr.. Webster not to relate
lie circumstances which occurred in the
morning.
Mr.. Webster replird, .'you should not be
Ishamed Of the adventure, since there is no
'nung man in the country, however lofty
lis aspirations. that will be likely to attain
he position you this morning occupied
Joe left the table, the house, and on the
irst train left town, satisfied that he had
lone enough for one season. In the eve
iing Mr.. Webster related tile whole affair
0 the assembled guess, and to this day
Ioe enjoys the sobrioquet of 'Dan."-Har-
'ers' Mggazine.
CIRcUMsTANTIAL EVIDENCE. - Joe ,
Brace . aS a farmers son in the town of /;