Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-02-22
Webster at Wnshington

But don't propose, says Mayor POore,
to open any volumes of Mr.. Webster's
political history that may occasion dis
cussion on the centennial anniversary Of
his birth, in the log cabin at Salisbury, n.
Ii about which he loved TO talk. Neither
do propose to attempt TO describe him in
debate, although | well remember him
wearing the ''blue and buff" of the revo-
luuonary wings, with stalwart frame.
dignifed manner, harmonious elegance of
style. and full sonorous voice, while his
open and commanding countd nance full
of intellect and passion, mirrored all the
glow his elOquence could express.
The next morning after one of those
wonderful speeches in the Senate Chamber,
Mr. Webster might have been seen IN the
old ''Marsh Market al an early hour, for
he was no sluggard. With him was
servant carrying a huge market basket,
and he would go from stall to stall, often
stopping TO chat with a butcher or a fish,
msnger or hLckster, and delighting them
with the knowledge he displayed about
meat, fish and vegetable. Selecting with
great care supply of provisions for two
days, as the market was only held on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Mr..
Webster would return TO bis house, next
the Unitarian Church, and see that the
meat was properly hung up and the vege-
tables put away.
his table Was not already full, he would
meet friend and say: 'Come and dine
with me to-day. nave a noble hauncb
of venlsop which 1 bought fortnight
since. and have kept hanging until 1t is
exactly fit to be eaten, or, 81 have re-
ceIvsd fine salmon from the Kennebec
come over to-day and help me eat it. "
A guest knew exactly what to expect,
and those carefully selected dinners,
cooked by an old colored woman named
Monica, were better than a "menu" of
these days, selected by Sam Ward and
served at Welcker's or at Wormleys.
Every Spring he would join the Satur-
day parties of Congressmen and officials
who used to go down the Potomac on
the old steamer Salem TO the fishing grounds
and enjoy freshly caught shad, opened,
nailed on oaken boards, and cooked before |
large wood fires. On one Of these occa-
slons Mr.. Webster had obtained from Bos- |
ton some rock-cod, crackers and salt pork, |
and he made chowder. lie had q large |
kettle, and having fried his scraps, he de-
posted the successive layers of fish, crack
ers and potatoes and onions over |
and over again until there was no more
room. Then pouring IN half gallon of
milk he rubbed his hands. exclaiming
Now for the fire. AS Mrs Macbeth
said; If It's to be done, wheD it's done,
then It's well 'twere done quickly" l
quote from memory, but 1 shall never
forget his expression of cOunteuaDce and
the merry twinkle of hIs deep set, burning
black eyes The chowder was success
and so Was a medicinal preparation Of
Santa Cruz rum, brandy. dash OF arrack,
loaf sugar, lemons and strong iced tea.
No one who ever drank "Marshfeld
Punch forgot Its seductive excellence,
but some found to their sorrow that il had
u fearful kick.
Mr.. Webster had grown up at time
when almost every man took his daily
glasses of toddy, when decanters of brandy
were on the tables Of the first class hotels,
and when wines and liquors were genuine,
not manufactured from poisonous lngredi-
ents. Towards the close of his life, when
stricken by domestic sorrow, and deserted
by some whose fortunes he had helped ID
make, he may at times have sought to
drown care. But he was not habitually
Intemperate, and what he did drink was
taken without disguise or hypocritical
He never gambled, although at that
time gambling was another open and
fashionable vice here. Occasionally he
would play a game of whist with friends,
but he played very badly, and he enjoyed
an occasional bout at ''seven upi" But (
he nevery bet a cent on the result of a
game, and he was entirely unacquainted
with checkers, backgammon, chess, bill
lIards or ten pins.
Fishing was Mr. We1s;er's avorlte [
and he WAS frequent visitor j
at The fishing grounds at the falls Of the
Potomac, above Georgetown.Is AJAX Wal
ton has never had more enthusiastic dis |
cIple on this continent than the "Expound- d
CT of the Constitution" |
Personally Mr. Webster was very at
tractive, winning the affections of all with
whom he became acquainted. A devoted ,
an affectionate parent and a kind ,
Trend, he devoted his life 10 the happiness
Of his successive wives, his children and
his irIends-to the union of the States, the
llory of New Englsnd, and the perpetua-
.lon Of free institutions.