The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-12-25
WEBSTER.
The Curative Effect OF his Reply 90
nHayue.

I From Harvey's "reminiscences OF DanT webster.
The intimacy and friendship between
/ Capt. Thomas and Mr.. Webster were
peculiar. The captain. though much
Mr.. Webster's senior. soon learned to
look mp TO him with respect and admir-
alton; he made Mr.. Webster his Mag
nus Apollo. and at the same time enter
tanned for him sort Of paternal affec-
tion. He deferred TO Mr.. Webster in
all matters, excepting some practical
rules Of farming, the nicer points OF
sporting and the habits of birds, wild
fowl and fish-in all which matters the
captain was Mr.. Webster's Instructor.
Their association, always pleasant,
grew into natural affection, and Capt.
Thomas, who, at Mr.. Webster's sugges-
ton, subscribed for the semi-weekly
Columbian Sentinel, watched with the
most intense interest Mr.. Web
ster's course in the Senate as reported
in that journal. In 1929 the good cap
tain read Haynes first speech. He
waited in confidence for triumphant
reply. 1t came, and he was enterely
satisfied. The faithful Sentinel, how
ever. sooI brought him Haynes second
speech. He read il with esteem and
painful interest. Ii excited in him the
gravest apprehensions for the idol of
his old age. He was overwhelmed with
grief. His hero, his great man, his be-
loved, almost worshiped friend, was
antagonist. The kind, old gentlemans
pride was humbled; lac was in despair
his heart almost broken. Casting
away the paper he rose and retired
slowly TO his room, directing some one
10 come and take away his boots, as he
shonld never want them again. His
family tried in vain to console him.
He refused TO be comforted. Like one
of old he was ready To exclaim' "Ye
have taken away my gods. and what
have | more?
For three days he kept his bed,
mourning over the fall of his friend,
and refusing all consolation. His eld-
eft son tried TO persuade him that Mr..
Webster was able to defend the cause
of New Engli nd. and would yet have
his triumph. His only reply was, "It
can't be answered.
The fatal semi.weekly Sentinel came
Again IN due coure. 1t was evening.
Henry entered his fathers room with
the paper and candle. The old man
0roaned, and asked what he wanted.
Henry replied:
Father. l have brought you the
Sentinel; | thought you might like to
look az il. "
"No. Henry, don't want to see it"
1T contains q speech of Mr.. Webster
in reply 20 Col. Hayne."
"Oh. Henry - said the old gentle
man, 1T is OF no use; it can't be ans
wered: don't want 90 see IL.
Henry fingered md seemed greatly
distressed at his fathers refusal. At
last Capt. Thomas consented To have
the paper and candle left, and said
that perhaps be would look at il. Hen
" went down stairs and reported the
apparently unsuccessful result Of his
mission: and the family drew closely
around their winter fire more gloomily
than before
Some time he'd elapsed when they
were all suddenly startled 10y a tire.
mendous shout from their fathers
room. They all rushed up stairs to-
gsther TO see what had happened. The
captain was sitting on the side OF his
bed, with the paper in one hand and
the candle in the other. As Heury en-
tered the captain roared ont:
Bring me my boots. Henry! Bring
me my bootsl'
Capt Thomas recovery was so COM
plete that he never again suffered Of
that complaint.