Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-17
wEBsrER's INSURANCE ANECDOTE.

Daniel Wester said that, some time after
he had commenced the practice of his pro-
fsssion in Boston, circumstance occurred
which forcibly impressed upon his mind
the sometimes conclusive eloquence of
silence, and he wondered no longer that
the ancients had erected a statue to her as
divinity.
A man in New Bedford, Mass. (said Mr.
Webster,) had insured 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. One day
news arrived in Boston that his ship had
suddenly taken fire and burned to the
waters edge. 1t had been insured in the
Massachusetts Insurance Company, of
which General Wells was President, and
Mr.. Webster the attorney.
General Wells told Mr.. Webster Of the
misfortune that had happened to the COM
pany in the loss Of vessel so largely in
sured, communicating to him, at the same
time, in which it had been destroyed.
"Do you intend,n asked Mr.. Webster
Ito pay the insurance p''
II shall be obliged to do So" replied the
General.
II think not; for have no doubt, from
the circumstances attending the loss, thai
the ship was set on fire, with the intent to
deffaud the company of the insurance"
but how shall we prove thatP and
what shall we say to Mr. --, when he
calls for the money!
ssSay nothing" replied Mr. Webster,
''but hear quietly what he has to say
Some few days after this conversation,
Mr.. --- came up to Boston and presented
hssrn calf 40 Walls NJ svxu,
office. Mr.. - was man very careful
Of personal appearance, and of punctilious
demeanor. He powdered his hair, wore
clean ruffies and well-brushed clothes, and
had gravity Of speech becoming person
of respectable position.
All this demanded civil treatment and,
whatever might be thought of him, one
would naturally use no harsh language to-
wards him. He had defect in his left
eye, SO that, when he spoke, he turned his
right and sound eye to the person he adj
dressed with somewhat oblique angle of
the head, giving it something such u turn
rs hen who discovers hawk in the air.
General Arnold Wells had correspond
ing defect in his right eye
II was not present at the interview"
says Mr.. Webster, "but l have heard it
often described by those who were. Gen.
Wells came out from an inner office on the
announcement OF Mr.. IS arrival, and
fixed him Ito use. French expression)
with his sound eye-looking at him Sc
riously, but calmly. Mr.. -, looking at
General Wells with his sound eye, but not
steadily-rather as if he thought to turn
the. Generals right flank.
They stood thus, with their eyes cooked
at each other for more than minute, be-
fore either spoke, when Mr.. - thought
it best to take the initiative.
is a pleasant day, General Wells,
though rather COOL
1t is as you say, Mr.. -, pleasant,
though rather cool day. replied the Cen
eral. without taking his eye down from its
range.
. i should not be surprised, General,
continued Mr.. -, 'if we should have a
fall of snow soon.'
There might be more surprising cir
cumstances, Mr.. -, than fall of snow
in February
Mr.. - thereupon shifted his foot and
topic. He did not feel at ease. and the
less so from his desperate attempts to con-
ceal his embarrassment.
"'Whsn do you think, General he in
quired, after pause, that Congress will
adjourn p
1T is doubtful, ! should think, Mr.. -,
when Congress will adjourn; perhaps not
for some time yet, as great bodies, YOU
know, move slowly
do you hear anything important from
that quarter, Generalp'
MIR. - by this time had become very
dry in the throat--a sensation, / have been
told says Mr.; Webster, zone is very apt
to feel who finds himself in an embarrass-
ing position from which. he sees no posi-
bility of escape. He feared to advance.
and did not know how to make success
full retreat. At last, after one or two des-
perate and Intellectual struggles to regain
self-possession, finding himself all the
while within point-blank range of that
raking eye. he wholly broke down, and
took his leave without the least allusion to
the matter of insurance.
HE neverreturnedto claim his money!