Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-10-20
Memorials of Daniel Webster.

The following extract from a letter VIII
ten by lady. who is connection of Danl
Webster. will be read with interest at the
present time:
"Daniel Webster was one of the first per
sons that | remember to have known in my
childhood. He was a friend OF my father
and mother. He was still our frierd when
he died. II we had been in any trouble oI
want, and had gone to him and told him
af it, he would have instantly put his hand
into h is pocket and given me the last money
he had-and, may be, have sail with an agi-
tated voice, ''You do well to come TO me,
Liefe; never trouble stranger while an Did
friend can help you"
"The last time saw him at Marshfeld
and very long before his death, i was
walking with am over and around Cherry
Hill. which is beautiful shady place, with
winding paths among the trees, and here
and there an arbor. He gathered leaves for
me from different rare trees, and some oi
the lovelest flowers for my mother. spoke
of the beauty Of the place, and he said in
reply: "About fifteen years ago this hill
was only shifting sand. The wind blew
it all over the house and the grounds. My
mother came down to see me and she said:
"Daniel, can't you do something TO keep
the sand out of the housei" and ] said,-
"Mother, I'll try So planted the sand
thick with turnips, which I left to decay
there. The next year planted it with Il
think) potatoes; after that the grass-seed,
and then the trees.'' So it had come. from
shifting sand, to be a wooded hill, the
delight and the wonder Of all who beheld it
SO near the sea-
We we'll remember an anecdote of Mr..
Webster, related to US by lady who passed
away in the bloom of life, which .disProves
very common supposition that the manner
of Mr.. Webster was cold and repulsive.-
When child of eleven years of age, she
was travelling in stage to Concord, New
Hampshire. This was before the railroad
extended to that place, and when it was a
tedious days journey to Boston. Among
the passengers was Daniel Webster, who
was on his way to Concord to deliver an
Grafton. The young girl knew not of his
fame as an orator, which had then reached
its meridian hight. There was nothing
about him to inspire awe, and she was soon
on the best of terms with the great states
man. He chat,ed with her, told her stories,
joked with her, got out at the wayside
taverns to procure for her water, and when
l. II har cIa
arms Occasionally he would seem ab-
stracted. His lips moved, and he was prob
atty corning over his orution fur the -nfOr-
row. But word from his young compan-
ion, who was 10 him but a waif on the sea
of travel, would again light up his face with
a smile. Thus they journeyed upon the best
of terms until they reached Concord, when
the guns spoke welcome, and the stage
was quickly surrounded by a crowd eager TO
catch glimpse of The opponent OF Hayne.
and the statesman whose prise was upon
every tongue. The girl shrunk back az
frighted. and timidly inquired Of Mr. Web
ster what the noise was about. "ls is 10
welcome you 10 Concord replied Mr. w,
gaily, as he lifted her from the stage ant
bore her through the crowd to the steps OF
the hotel He then turned to the respond
to the cheers and congratulations of friends.
The young girl never saw MIR. Webster
again, but she cherished the memory of his
features with pleasure. Sic remembered
his dark, cavernous eyes, his massive brow,
and his dark features. bnt they were remem-
oered as possessing a geniality and bright
uess that were never reproduced IL any
picture or bust which she afterwurtlz- :.
1t is perhaps noticeable. ns coihc idence,
that while the bells were tollian in Boston
for the funeral ceremonies of Webster, and
the procession of sorrowing thousands was
passing through the streets, the spirit OF
this young girl, then wife and mother,
took its departure, to renew, perhaps, in u
bright world the acquaintance Of day
which had been to her so pleasant Boston
Courier.