Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-01-10
Webster's Insurance AnecdOte.

Laulei " eosIeT Saiu, tnat some time atter
he commenced the practice of his profession
in Boston, circumstance occurred which
foTcibly impressed upon his mind the some-
times conclusive elOquence of silence, and he
wondered no longer that the ancients had
erected a statue to her as a divinity.
A man in New Bedford, Mass, said Mr..
Webster, had insured a ship, lying at the
time at the wharf there, for an amount much
larger than its real value. in one OF the Boston
insurance offices. Que day. news arrived in
Boston that his ship had suddenly taken ERE,
aud burned to the waters edge. Il had been
insured in the Massachusetts Insurance Com.
paDy, of which General Arnold Wells vas
President, and Mr. Webster the Attorney.
General Wells told Mr.. Webster OF the
misfortune that had happened to the company,
ia the loss Of u vessel so largely insured, cou.
muDicating to him, at the same time, the some.
what extraordinary manuer in which it had
been destroyed.
DO you intend" asked Mr.. Webster, ''tO
pay the insurance p
81 shall be obliged to do So" replied the
general
II think not; for have no doubt. from
the circumstances attending the loss that
the ship was set on FIRE, with the intent TO
defraud the company of the Insurance."
But how shall We prove that? And what
shall We say to Mr.. -, when he calls
for the money!
Say nothing" replied Mr.. Webster, ''but
hear quietly what he has to say"
Some few days after this conversation. Mr..
- came up to Boston aud presented him.
selfto General Arnold Wells at the Insurance
Office Mr.. -- was u man very careful
"f his personal appearance, aud of puuctIlious
demean"r. lie powdered his hair, wore clean
rufiies and we'll brushed clothes, aud had 4
gravity Of speech becoming a person of re-
spectacle position. All this demanded civil
treatment; and Whatever might he thought Of
him, one would naturally use no harsh LAM
gGage toward him. lie had defect in his
lett eye, 50 that. when he spoke, he turned his
right and sound eye to the person ke ad-
dressed. with somewhat oblique aLgIe of the
head, giving II something such a turn as hen
who discovers hawk in the air. General
Arnold Wells had corresponding defect in
his right eye.
Il was not present at the interview" saws
Mr.. Webster, but have heard it often de-
scribcd by those who werc General Wells
came out from an inner office on the announce
ment Of Mr.. --'s arrival, and fred him
Ito use French expressiun) with his sound
eye-iookine at him seriously, but calmly
Mr.. - looking ut General Wells with his
sound eye, but not steadily-ra;her as if he
Thought to turn the generals right flank"
They stood thus, scM their eyes cooked at
each O'her, for more than a minute, before
either spoke. when Mr.. thought it
best to take the initiative.
1t is pleasant day, 6 GeneraI Wells, though
rather COOL
81, is as you say, Mr.. a pleasant.
though rather cool day" replied the general,
without taking his eye down from its range.
81 should not be surprised, General" con-
unued Mr.. --, ''if we should have fall
of snow SOON"
There might be a more surprising cir
cums'ance. Mr.. ---, than fall of snow in
February"
Mr.. - tbereupon shifted his foot and
topic. He did not feel at ease, and the less
so from his desperate attempt to conceal his
embarrassment.
when do you think, General" he in
quired, after pause, that Congress will ad-
jOurn p
''lt is doubtful should think, Mr..
when Congress will adjourn perhaps no, for
some time yet, as great bodies, you know,
move slowly"
DO you hear anything important from that
quarter. General z"
Nothing. Mr. -"
"Mr. - by this time had become very
dry in the throat-a sensation. have been
told" says Mr. Webster, ''one is very apt to
feel who finds himself in an embarrassing DO.
sition, from which he sees no possibility Of es
cape. He feared to advance, and did not know
how TO make a successful retreat At last,
after one or two desperate aud Intellectual
struggles to regain self possession. finding
himself all the while with point. blank range
of that rnking eye. he wholly broke down, and
took his leave. without the least alIusion to the
matter of insurance"
''He "erer returned TO claim his money"