The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-02-25
Anecdotes Of Heury Clay,

clerk in Richmond.
''We catch our first glimpse Of the boy when
he sat in the little log school house, without
windows or floor, one of q humniug score Of
sheeess boys, where a good -natured, irrita.
bic, drinking English schoolmaster taught
him to read, write and cipher as far as Prac
tice. This was the only school he ever at
tended, and that was all he learned at it. His
widowed mother, with her seven young chill
dren, her little farm and two or three slaves,
could do no more forhim. Next, we see him
tall awkward, slender stripping of thirteen,
still barefoot, clad in homespnn butternut of
has mothers making, filling her fields, and
gong TO mill with his bag of Germ strapped
upon his family pony. At fourteen, in the
year 1871, place was found for him in
Richmond drug store, where he served as
GRAND boy and youngest clerk for one year.
Then occurred the event which decided his
career. His mother having married again,
her husband had influence enough to procure
for the lad the place ofcopying clerk in the
office of the Court of Chancery. The young
gentlemen then employed in the office of that
Court long remembered the entrance among
them OF their new comrade. He was fifteen
at the time, but very tall for his age, very
slender, very awkward, and far from hand
some. His good mother had arrayed him in
full SUIT OF pepper and salt s'fggnny," an
old Virginia fabric of silk and cotton. His
SHIRT and collar we've stifly starched, and his
coat tail stood out boldly behind him. The
dandy law clerks of metropolitan Richmond
exchanged glances as his gawky figure entered
and he took his place at desk to begin his
work. There was something in his manner
which prevented their indulgence in the jests
that usually greet the arrival of a country
youth among city blades; and they afterward
congratulated one another that they had wait
eda little before beginning TO tease him, for
they soon found that he had brought with him
from the country an exceedingly sharp tongue.
Of his first service little is known, except
the immense fact that be was most diligent
reader.
As he grew older, the raw and awkward
stripping become young man, whose every
movement had winning or q commanding
grace. Handsome he never was; but his
rudy face and abundant light hair. the
grandeur Of his forehead and the speaking in
telhgence of his countenanee, more than
aioned for the irregularity Of his features.
Ills lace, too, was compromise. With its
vlvacity of expression, there was alwaye
something that spoke of the Baptist preach
er's son-just as Andrew Jackson face had
the set expression Of Presbyterian elder
But of all the bodily gifts bestowed bv liza.
ture upon this favored child, the most unique
and admirable was his voice Who ever
heard one more melodiouss There was
depth OF tone in it, volume, compass,
rich and tender harmony, which invested all
he said with majesty. We heard it last when
he was sn old man, past seventy; and all he
SAID was few words of Acknowledgement to
{. group OF ladies in the largest hall in Phia
delphla. He spoke only in the ordinary tone
OF conversation: but his voice filled the room
as the organ ILLS the great cathedral and the
ladies' stood spell bound as the swelling ca.
dences rolled about the vast apartment We
have heard much Of Whitefields piercing
voice and Patrick Henry's silyery tones. but
we eau not believe that either ofthose natural
orators possessed an organ superior TO Claws
majestic bass. No one who ever heard him
speak viii ind it difficult to believe what
tradition reports, that he was the peerless
star Of the Richmond Debating Society in
1875.
The following "reminiscences of Mr.. Clay
are from the pen of the Hon. Thos. Ewing,
who wrote them as contribution to san
itary Tair
Nj Clay, with all his terrible power of de.
nunclation. was in ordinary debate, pleasant
and playful When dealing with an ord-
nary adversary he often reminded me ofthe
hines az Miiton's description of Eden before
the fall:
sPorsye me on romped, and in his paw
On one occasion. the year do not remem.
Der: but II was the first time the Wings car.
RED an election in the city of New York
iound INN early IN his seat with newspaper
Ia ms hand. As soon as the journal was read.
ne rose quite out of order-anuonnced tn tho
PRESIDENT Mr. Van Buren) the Wbig victory.
spoke OF their noble efforts in the cause of
their country, and of their brilliant success
our own fellow citizens, Mr.. President
the proud capital of your noble State-bas
made ITS voice heard in our halls, in defence
OF the Constitution of our country. All! Mr..
PRESIDENT, does not this warm vour patriotic
heart o.
Inc iinpudence and ahsurdity Of this appeal
was too much for the dignity Of a presiding
otlcer. Mr.. Van Buren, face drew itself into
know not how many INDISPENSABLE lines. in
%hleh The eofnleai prcdominated, and he slid
Gown ~ ms se@t until nothing of him was via
lble but the smooth top.of his head, He soon
called some one to the chair. came down
took pinch of snuff with Mr.. CLAW. and az
ter a wholesome laugh between them the
morning business went on.
Ills classical illusions English elassics)
were few but sufficiently happy. His NJ.
tempts to cite poetry generally failed On
one occasion he attempted the hackneyed
quotation from Hamlet
Let the CALLED jade vince, our witbers are nm
wrung."
de mistook the last syllable, and with great
uisunctness and fine emphasis made il i.rn
strung Watkins Leigh sat on his right; /
on his LETT; both at the same instant. in sun
pressed voice, pronounced the word ..un. |
wruhg' me double prompting confused
hlllii ne orew himself up and with stronger |
n
stood with a very pleasant and nnembarros.- |
ed countenance until the laugh. which had .
become general snbsided, and then With = |
gentle shake OF his head and long drawine /
OUT OF the frst word. said: All murder will !
gut almost imagined he had slipped on
purpose 70 show his adroitness in recoyar;no
oot ms WIT was sometimes DISPLAYED in n /
iess kindly spirit. All will remember Ruc.
hannan dlsingenuous letter ON the sub;ect ~ |
6 oarga'n and corruption. Mr.. Clay never
.oiiso'' never iorgave it, and never failed 10 |
eAAe occasion, aud if none arose, TO mote |
oooos. On 20 publish it. About 1884 or IA |
matter OF some interest was nnde, d;so,,s
sion. leading Wing or two III ulseus'
anu two or three of the rank and G,o 'pVAIn'
democratic party, but no Democra, .tas,
prominent. Walker, of Missission; wos
speaking. As he was drawing 10 = "a9
observed that Mr.. Clay was pav;na ,,,', !
attention The moment Walker Sfosa aIu al
sprang to his feet and spoke for five =. ne
minutes Win great vehemence of mannor
saying no'hing' but simply vaporinp. He
poasted that the noble Wings came ont on
every question that arose, with promptness
anu dseislon, WINE the Democratic leaders
put their rank and file forward 10 sL;..s;tL
while they lay by and waited and watched a.
popular indications. Come out sad ha
"come out like men ana de6, -. Nc