The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-07-07
How Webster and Choate Raised
the Wind"

The intimacy of Webster and Choate is
well known. There can scarcely be a
doubt that they loved each other. While
the former was Secretary of State the lat
ter was in the Senate from Massachusetts.
At some point during this period Choate
is reported 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 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 id IA struck him. 81 will 90 TO
Webster he said to himself, and seizing
his hat he made his way rapidly to Four
teenth street. The great man was at home,
and received him with unusual cordality.
But what is the matter with you. Choate p
he asked (the latter had on that woe-begone
expression which everybody remembers)
Are you sick ?" Cboate took chair, and
began TO run his fingers through his hair in
"a state of doubt as to how he should ap.
proach the subject of his visit mot
exactly sick, Mr.. Webster; but am short
OF money, and have come up to see if you
could lend me $500" Webster leai ed
back in his chair, and with eyes dilated and
the faintest possible CLEAN of humor in his
face. looked al Cboate. "ChOate, l am
just $500 short myself" he said. (Choat. IS
chin dropped) "But look here, brother
Choate," continued Mr. Webster, "I'll tell
you what wen do we'll make note sir,
say at sixty days, for $1,000, payable in
Boston You shall sign it and III endorse
it, and by the time it comes round we will
be at home to provide for it," Choate
looked up with establishment. 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 Sen
ate to await the result OF his friends fnan
cial experiment and his great friend
placing the note in his vest pocket, DOM
ed that wel-remembered, broad brimmed
black, felt hat which he wore on those
times, and directed his steps toward Cor
corau's. Entering the banking-house with
head erect and shoulders well set back
SIS Mr.. Norcoran in? ?" in the measured
and magisteriaI tones that inspired so much
awe, he asked of the clerk at the counter.
Yes, sir" he replied defereutially.--
"Piease 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 We're ex-
changed. "Mr. Corcoran, my brother
Choate is little short of money, and has
made note for $1,000 (which have very
cheerfully Endorsed for him. payable in
Boston ia sixty days. Would you discount
1t for him p Certainly" replied Corcoran,
'with the greatest pleasure and turning
to the clerk, he said: "Give Mr.. Webster
the proceeds of the note, after dedncting
The interest" The clerk made his figures,
and, bringing out a 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 to the Capitol
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 a smart
slap upon the shoulder "I've got it
Choate." "f'he ID you have p he re.
piled. The great man sat down beside
him, and they divided the money as nearly
equal as they could, and thus Choate's
mind obtained relief. The story omits to
follow the note to maturity and tell MS who
paid the thousand dollars finally. We sns
pect there is where the real laugh would
come in.