Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-05-19
HOW WEBSTER AND CH0ATE
- RAISED THE WIND"

1ho intimacy Of Webster and 3hoate
is-weH known. There eau scarcely bega
doubt that theyloved each other. While
the former was Secretary of State, the
latter vas in the Senate from Massachus-
-ette. At some point during this period,
Ohoate is reported to have found himself
short of money, and being away from
home. in strait to know how to relieve
himself He sat in his seat in the Sen
ate chamber, with contracted brow
blowing with both Of his hands those long
black locks of his, as his habit was, in a
vain effort to conjure up some way of
meeting his engagements, when an idea
struck him. II will go to Webster, he
said to himself aud seizing his hat he
mode his way rapidly TO Fourteenth.
street, The great man was at home, and
received him with d unusual cordiality.
"But what is the matter with you,
Choate p he asked (the latter had on
that woe egone expression which every
body remembers( Are you sick! :
Choate took chair, and began to run
his fingers through his hair, il state of
doubt as to how be should approach the
subject Of his visit ''Not exactly sick
Mr.. Webster; but am short Of money,
and,have came up to see if you could
lend me five hundred dollars 2" Webster
leaned back in his chair, and with eyes
5ilated, and the faintest possible CLEAN
of humor in his face, looked at Choate :
"Choate, I am just five hundred short
myself" he said (Choate's chin drop
ped). "But look here, brother Choate, y
continued Mr.. Webster, ON tell you
what we'll do; Wen make note, sir, say
at sixty days for enc thousand dollars,
p.yable in Boston. You shall sign it and
in endorse it, and by the time it comes
round we will be at home to provide fer
it, Choale looked up with astonish-
ment.. He could see how easily the note
might be made; but how the money 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 re-
suits of his friends financial experiment;
and his great friend, placing the note in
his vest pocket, donned that well-remem
bered, sbroad- brimmed black felt hat
which he wore on those times, and dir
ected his steps towards Corcoran's. En-
tering the banking house with head erect
and shoulders well set back. "Is Mr..
Corcoran on?" in the measured and mag
isterial tones that inspired SO much awe,
he asked of the clerk at the counter.
eyes, sir, he replied deferentially.
"Please say to him that Mr.. Webster
would like. to see him for moment. "
Corcoran appeared with alacrity from his
private room, and the usual salutations were
exchanged. "Mr. Corcoran, my brother
Choate is little short of money, and has
made a note for thousand dol
lars (Which have, very cheerfully in
dorsed for him., payable in Boston in
sixty days. Would you discount it for
him 2" Certainly" replied Corcoran
"with the greatest pleasure" and turn
ing to the clerk, he said, Give Mr. Web
ster the proceeds of the note after deduct,
ing 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 Immediately tc
! the Capital. Walking into the Senate
Chamber he found Choate, with his head
in his hands, in the most distraught state
of mind. Going directly up to him he
gave him smart slap upon the should.
der: "I'Ve got it, Choate." ';The d
you have p he replied. The great man
sat down beside him, and they divided
the money as nearly equally as hey could
and thus Choate's mind obtained relief
The story omits to follow the note to ma
turity, and tell Us who paid the theusano
dollars finally. We suspect there il
where the real laugh would come in.