The Portland daily press., 1877-02-28
MRS. Elizabeth Oakes Smith in Baldwins Monthly.
More WebSteriana.


At one time he was talking with Gen. Fes-
sender, the pioneer in the abolition movement
In New England, and the father of William
Pitt Fessenden, for IL years senator from
Maine. The conversation was engrosslng IN
character, the two men, attached as they were,
being each opposed to the other in political as
pects but this never disturbed the warmth of
their friendship. The day after, Mr.. Webster
called upon his friend, i'll some trepdation,
saying that just prior to their meeting he had
received $500 bill, which he supposed he had
tucked into his vest pocket; shut it is nowhere
to be found, and 1 need it badly" he said. Mr..
Fessenden had observed that while Mr.. Web
ster was thus earnest in conversation, the day
previous, he had busly tucked a piece of
crumpled paper under the folds of his coat
sleeve; and there the bill was found, rather the
worse for wear.
At another time, Mr.. Fessendel informed
me, he arrived, early one morning, in Boston,
where some urgent professional business de-
manded the immediate attention OF himself
and friend. He accordingly tore out a leaf
rom his tablets and wrote thereon his address,
asking for au interview without delay. The
messenger returned promptly, bringing neatly
signature, thus: SIN beo but always youfs
Daniel Webster" Gen. Fessenden was a gem
tleman OF the old school, and, in telling me, he
remarked: 81 felt the propriety of the rebuke.
Mr.. Webster was not man to be lightly
approached. He never, in all my intercourse,
failed in observing not only all the proprieties,
but tlfe graces of intercourse"
At one time I was visiting at Nantasket
beach, where new hotel had been opened, and
it was most desirable as we'll as fashionable
place of resort; the fine reach of ocean view
and the cool breeZes more than cOmpensating
for certain crudeness incident to newness
| One day it was announced that Daniel Webster
was to dine at the house with a party OF
friends. All was expectation, when the PLAIN
carriage, with the beautiful black horses. drove
up. The great man alighted and took bushel
| basket from the vehicle, partly filed with the
earliest potatoes of the season, fresh from
Marshfied, gift to the proprietor of the hotel.
| AS he entered he was run against by bright
| little girl of nine years, who screamed out, all
| excitement: Daniel Webster has come
l Daniel Webster has come!' immediately the
basket was put down, and taking the child in
| his arms, with one of his brightest smiles, he
| kissed her, saying: 'sDo you want to see
Black Dan? Well, there he s,' pointing to
his coachman 1t will be remembered he was
sometimes called Black Dan.
| Those who remem Der the great meeting in
| New York in memory OF Cooper cannot tail to
call to mind the imposing appearance OF Daniel
| Webster as he sat upon the platform surround
| ed by the distinguished men of the period IL
l was not that he was so much larger, for seVeIsi
| were quite as tall. but he seemed to MI the
space, to challenge all eyes, and make al oth-
| ers to dwindle in aspect His remarks were
few, but SO gravely uttered, 50 to the point, Sc
iast to the memory of Cooper, every word sc
fitly placed, that not sentence could be bet
tered He spoke slowly, distinctly. gravely-
only as q man could speak who is master Of
1 himself and of his subject.
| Daniel Webster was not a man to be brought
out in fashionable society without some hazard
to lonize anybody else in his presence was ou
of the question. There is a ludicrous story told
of the introduction of the statesman to Harriet
Martineau in Washington, who was hopelessly
deaf. The great man was ushered up the large
rooms to where the author of political economy
literature stood expectant. A murmuring hush
prevailed. All eyes were fixed upon tue par
| Up went Harriet's ear-trumpet. Dow5 sto0peu
| the massive head. A silence prevailed: very very
| fine evening, Miss Msrtineau.' said MI Weo
er, slowly, gravely, in his sonorons voice
'Very," returned the other, taking down heI
trumpet. What more could be SAID by two
such brought thus anonymously together?