The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-03-18

with certain iacIS. NJ. w hster drew hi
pen through it. saving" So. then. tia
cock won't fight" The notes thus pre-
pared were the brief of his argument
and he spoke from them. That thu
glimpses thus afforded of the working
of p great Intellect were extremely inter
eSting may readily he imayincd.%
But if the cast. did not cpgrc>s rs u
all tines conversation did not flag. Ga
plaSanttSt talks were after dinner, whei
we came back from the bar mess-room
Mr.. Webster would then put on his slip
pers. and till lack his chair. with hi
feet against the side of the mantel piece
on level with his head. Saling, Shal
| not take mine ease in mine inn ." ant
go off into Il stream Of anecdotes. quota
tinns. incidents Of his early lie, and mat
tois and things generally. On these coca
sinhs Shakespeare WIS Il favnrite topic
ard his familiarity with it WAS testi;ie,
by the aptness and frequency Of his quo
tationS
In one Of these protracted talks. whirl
always ran late into the night, Mr.. Web
ster detailed the circumstances Of his re-
fnsal to accept the ccrkship of a county
court. rs they are related in Curtis. When
the salary would have been little for
tune. and amused himself with a humnr
h. H..
career aud what would then have been hi.
destiny.
On the same occasion he described his
early practice in New Hampshire, and
told with almost hnyis! 9lre of overtak
ing, one bright moonlight night. Il tim
Der sled at the foot of Il hill on which
the snow lay deep. The driver had gone
to tavern ahead for an extra horse. and
Mr.. Webster. hitchiug his own horse a.
an addition t" the team, got the load t.
the summit. where the teams ter presently
found it. Il had hidden behind a tree
said the narrator, where / enjoyed the
fun. and only came forth to stay the hand
of the owner Of the sled who was liar
ripping his horses. because the 'tariIal
critters had put him to the expense OF
hiring assistance. when they were able
to do the work themselves. and only re
fused their load to spite him." 1t was
Mr.. Wcbster'S way nf telling the story.
and his imitation of the drivers tone and
manner that enhanced the drollcry oi
the incident.
Upon another occasion he gave al
amusing account of his escape through
the lack window of an old-fashioned
stage coach when the horses were run
ming away with it. and described the
amaZeinent OF the driver. after they were
stopped, when he found member OF
Congress stan'!in. Oh the baggage lack.
and play ing f"nrman to a stage driver.
The interest OF these anecdntes was
evidence they afforded that neither the
wear and tear of political and profess
sional life nor distinguished position had
impaired the freshness of early youth.
Another OF Mr.. Webster's anecdotes
have often repeated to students in my law
office. Il was the iniieXbIe rule of The
ophilus Parsons t" give 40 law advice an
Sundav-a rule which he persisted in al
herring to when Il client came To Salem on
Il Il To, "A,
ion on IA matter OF first importance i'll
connection with business to bc transact
ed early on Monday. Angry at having
had his journey for nothing. the client
was on his way to his carriage. when MI.
Parsons followed him. and asked hin,
whether he hal made up his mind AS t"
what was hight according IL the golden
rule, and being answered in the aft rma-
tive, told him to go back tn Boston. do
what he believed was just right, and
when Mr.. Parsons got to his office llter
on Monday. he had no doubt he Won ID
find law enough to sustain HIM.
Speaking. Oh another occasion. about
the elements of success III professional
life, Mr.. Webster said. why. there is
most learned lawyer. a most la
horous man, and in all the relations OF
life absolutely aneXceptinnable, and yet
cnnfound the fellow lie never produces
results"
The age of some one being mentioned
one evening. Mr.. Webster said, The
worst standard by which to measure a
man 5 life is the parish clerks register.
Some men. sir. are born old; others, again
never grow old" and certainly. when
listened t, his flow Of animated talk, til.
gleefullness OF many of his remarks
about meu and things, | fully apprecl-
atad his meaning-that it was the tenn
permanent Of the man, and not the num-
Der of years. that made him old or young
One evening. while we still occupied
ally silent. lie had his moods, and it
was easy to see that the mood for con
verSation was not now the ruling one.
And SO We sat in silence. looking at tn.
ire in the twilight, until the supper bell
rang. Mr.. Webster thea drew on hi,
boots, and We left our quarters together
We had to pass through :, paved yard.
made as briL ht aS day by the full moon
just rising over Kent Island. | was on
Nr. Webster's right. and We had not yet
crossed the yard. when lie stopped sud-
denly raised his head, and laid his hands
upon my shoulders The moonlight fell
full upon his face, making his heavy brow
cast deep shadows. ont of which his eyes
CLEANED like living Goals. My yonug
FRIEND he said. he in no haste to en-.
bark in politics. The time will come
when all good men and true must rally
round the constitution. 1hGt will be the
time; and When we raise its banner. il
must glitter like the o,itlamme.' The
dropping his hands We resumed our 81
lent walk. After supper the mo0d had
changed. and We sat up until late hour,
Ny. Webster. as usual, having les ,truj,
de In cohrt1sntion. | think it was Oh thi.
evening that NJ. WehSter1uotcd Shakes
paarr to prove that right and lett shoes
were worn in the poets day. reciiing lln
bert : account. III Hing joh". OF the pop
nIar feeling in regard 10 the French liz
vASiuI.