The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-11-23
Daniel Webster and Joe D.

An incident is connected with the life o
our great statesman, DANIEL WEBSTER
which have mover seen reported, but as
know it to be true, and it illustrates ont
phase Of his character not often presented tt
the world, 1 will tell the story as it occur
red.
The year 1850 I passed in Pl ymouth
Mass, making my home at the "Samoset,
the house for full breeze, social chat, and
aquiet home. PARKER Il TRIBoU were the
prOprietors. I can always hear Jim's step
through the hall, his tireless tongue keep.
ing time to his flying feet.
MIR. Websters residence, at Marshfeld,
was about ten miles distant, but here he often
came to meet his personal and political
friends, and in the Summer months it was
his favorite resort, and often we had him for
days together, an eyer:welcome guest. Here
he seemed at home. Here we forgot that he
was the statesman, butwe never can forget
that he WIS social and agreeable gentle
man. His able-talk, his twilight conversa-
tions, will ever be remembered by those who
were fortunate enough to- enjoy them.
Fishing along beautiful brook, winding
through the forest of scrubby pines that cov-
ets the country short distance from the
bay, was his morning recreation. Dressed in
his never-failing blue coat, and gilt buttons,
his memorable straw hat, and his long rub
Der boots, he presented to the stranger the
appearance of anything but god.like.
The stream he loved so well was famous
for trout, and he was famous for not catch
ing them. Often he would sit for hours on
a moss-covercd stone in a retired nook, his
line dangling in and above the water, but
never,a bite; and if there had been, the fish
was safe, for he was entirely unconscious of
all around and about him. One warm sui
try morning in July, while thus absorbed he
Was aroused by hearing from across the,
stream:
"Hullo, there! hullo, 1 say. How are
you? Nice morning this Got any fish Z?
Have any bites? How dye get over there? ?
I've been fishing two hours nary bite. I see
you have long boots on; what'll you take to
carry me over e? don't want to get my feet
wet. I'll pay ye well; what'll ye take?
Here he paused long enough forsbIr Web
ster, who had all the time been surveying the /
speaker "a slightbuilt, dandifed youth, to
ask
"What will you. give?"
"Well, quarter; that's 'nough, amt
it," sss
So, quietly laying down his rod, he took
MS way to our Boston bay, JOE D whv,
BY the way, was as good q fellow as ever sold
M snSs1r,sssrrws rsn. r rrus three days susIsas
ng and sightseeing Of season into the al
otted three days time, and one was rapidly
passing away. Mr.. Webster seated himself
IN the bank, Joe mounted his shoulders, and
ike Caesar whom Cassius from the raging
riber bore, so Joe upon the godlike should
ers safely crossed the stream. The quarter
quickly changed hands. Mr.. Webster qui-
city settled into his accustomed seat, while
Joe on further pleasure bent, hastened up
he stream. Tired and hungry, he returned
ate for dinner, and passed into the dining
hall, where the guests were engaged in the
asst act Of the drama.
Our Bostonian, however, fell to it with an
appetite sharpened by his morning exercise,
md with full determination to make up in
speed what he had lost in time. So intent
,n his own affairs was he, that he took no
notice of those around the table, until some
one requested Mr.. Webster to relate his
noraing adventures.
Joe looked up, and following with his own
;he direction Of all eyes, he beheld his MORN
ing Aeneas. Turning to his nearest neigh
Dor he asked:
"Who is that ?"
"That! why that's Daniel Webster"
He found no further use for his knife and
fork, and was sil-ntly leaving the table, when
MIR. Webster saw and recognized MIN, with
a look or nod-Joe could never tell which
detained him, and requested him to take
wine. He took the wine with trembling
hand, and with look of earnest entreaty,
begged Mr. Webster not to relate the Cir
which occurred in the morn
ing.
Mr.. Webster replied, "You should not be
ashamed of the adventure, since there is no
young man in the country, however lofty
his aspirations that will be likely to attain
the position you this morning occupied"
Joe left the table, the house, and on the.
first train left town, satisfied tina. he had
done enough for one season. In the even
ing MIR. Webster related the whole affair to
the assembled guests, and to this day Joe
enjoys the soubriquet Of "Dan."
SCENE IN A PUBLIC RooM-A French.
man of the sans cuLoHe order in corner,
smoking a short, dirty pipe. Enter q self
evident Yankee adyenturer, with stupen-
dous shiny stovepipe towering above his
soaplocks, and wrapped in a long-tailed over
coat. He walks up against the hot stove,
and thin but fragrant wreath of smoke
curls upon from his coat-tail to the ceiling
whereat the Frenchman replenishes his bowl
with tobacco and garlic, and pulls away with
the vigor of locomotive. The column: of
smoke from the Yankees coat-tail assume a
darker hue, and the atmosphere savors of
garlic and burned wool. The Yam