The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-11-26
How Webster and Choate Raised ntbe Wind .

The intimacy of Webster and Choate is
wei known. There can scarcely be doubt
that they loved each other. While the for
mer was Secretary OF State, the latter was
IN the Senate from Massachusetts,. Atsoma
point during this period, Choate is repor-
ted to have found himself short of money
and being away from home, in a strait to
know how to relieve himself He sat in
his seat in the old Senate chamber with a
contracted brow, blowing with both his
hands those long black locks of his, as his
habit was, in vain effort to coniure I'D
some way, OF meeting his engagements
when an idea struck him. 'I will 90 TO
Webster" he said to himself: and seizino
his hat he walked rapidly to Fourteenth
street. The great man was at home. and
received him with unusual cordiality.-
"But what is the matter with YOU, Cboate2n
he asked 0he latter had on that woe-be
gone expression which everybody remem-
bers). "Are you sick ~ Choate took a
chair, and began to run his fingers tbrouob
his hair in state of doubt as to how he
should approach the subject of his visit
mot exactly sick, Mr.. Webster; but I am
short of money, and have come to see ifyou
could lend me five hundred dollars ~
Webster leaned back in his chair. and with
eyes dilated, and the faintest possible qleam
of humor in his face, looked at Choato:-
"Choate, am just five hundred short N.Y.
self" he said (Choates chin dropped)..
"But look here, brother Choate," continued
Mr.. Webster, "I'll tell you what we'll do:
we'll make note sir, say at sixty DAYS for
one thousand dollars, payable in Boston
You shall sign it and I'll indorse it, and bv
the time it comes round we will be at homo
to provide for it." Choate looked up with
astonishment. He could see how easily
the note might be made, but how the mon
ey was coming out Of the note was not so
clear, and he said so to Mr.. Webster
leave that to me-" the latter replied
Suffice it to say, the note was made; Choate
went back to the Senate to await the result
of his friends financial experiment; and
his great friend placing the note in his
vest pocket, donned that well-remembered
broad brimmed black felt hat which he
wore in those times, and directed his stems
towards Corcoran's. Entering the bank
ing-house with head erect and shoulders
well set back, SIS Mr.. Corcoran in ?" in
the measured and magisterial tones that
inspired so much awe, he asked of the
clerk at the counter. eyes sir,n he replied
deferentially. "Please say to him that Mr..
Webster would like to see him moment"
Corcoran appeared with alacrity from his
private room, and the usual salutations
were exchanged. "Mr. Corcoran, nv broth.
er Choatc is little short of money, and
has made note for thousand dollars
(Which have very cheerfully Endorsed for
him), payable in Boston in sixty days.
Would you discount it for him." Ger
tainly," replied Corcoran, with the great
est of pleasures" and turning to the clerk
he said; Give Mr. Webster the proceeds
of the note after deducting the interest
The clerk made his figures, and bringing
out small bag of gold emptied it upon
the counter. He counted out sufficient
sum to satisfy the proceeds of the note and
Mr.. Webster, putting it into his pantaloons
pocket, called hack and went immedi-
ately to the Capitol. Walking into the
Senate Chamber he found Choatc with his
head in his hands, in the most distraught
state OF mind. Going directly up to him
he gave him smart slap on the shoulder:
give got it, Choate." 1.-THE ID you haven'
he replied The great man sat down be-
side him, and they divided the money as
nearly equally as they could, and thus
Choate's mind obtained relief The story
omits to follow the note to maturity, and
tell us who paid the thousand dollars final
ly. We suspect there is where the real
laugh comes in.