The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-02-01
THE VALUE OF MEMORY.
How Daniel Webster Taught the
Late James Burns q Lesson.
I. e!roit Free Press.

NOW Dantel WeDSter Iaugnt the
Late James Burns a Lesson.
Fetroit Free Press.
Several weeks since a representative
of the Free Press was en- gagged in a gen
eral conversation with the late James
Burns, when that gentleman remarked
that he had always had an idea that
newspaper men must pay especial atten-
tionlto the cultivation of the memory.
ut is valuable quality, and most
newspaper men, perhaps do cultivate
their memory to the best of their abil.
ity."
VALUABLE quality? 1t is one of the
best. l had that fact impressed upon
my mind when q young man by that
great statesman. Daniel Webster. and it
was a lesson | never forgot"
Upon being asked to relate the exper-
fence MIR. Burns told how, in 1886. Dan.
lei Webster paid a visit to Detroit. and
was given a reception by the citizens at
the old National Hotel, which stood
where the old Russell House now stands.
Public exercises were held at the Case
Grove, aud m the evening the recep-
ton was he'd and was largely attended.
81 was about twenty six years old"
said Mr.. Burns, "and had just risen to
the distinction Of being in business for
myself. For that reason, l suppose, at
all events / know of no other cause, l
WAS invited to be privately introduced,
WITH a lot of other young business men,
to Mr.. Webster.
"Well, sir, 1 went fully impressed
with the greatness of Mr.. Webster, and
confess, somewhat elated over the
honor thus acc ,rded me. We all Assem-.
| dore Romeyn and the late g. 6. Trow-
bridge we're among the present-htteen OF
twenty in numyer Presently Mr.. Web.
troduced. A social general chat OF per-
haps half an hour followed, Mr.. Webster
talking all ver the room, and with nc
one in partisular, after which we took
our leave. The remarkable feature
which impressed me was the fact thai
MI. Webster, who had met fifteen OF
eighteen ordinary young men for the
irst time and thatin a general way called
us all by name, and without hesitation
or mistake, as we took our leave"
five heard that memory of names
was one of Daniel Webster's strong
I points,"
"Bu the story isn't finished" said
Mr.. Burns. -Four years later I was In
New York buying goods. l had not
seen or hardly thought of Mr.. Webster
in that time. l had just turned from
Wall street to 60 up Broadway when 1
saw a Magnificent figure walking ahead OF
me. Confident that it was Mr.. Webster,
} | quickened my pace, passed him, and
at the next corner stopped to geta fair
look at hin. I was not mistaken in
the man, and 1 was Immediately
filed with r desire to speak tc
him. but / was held back by TIE
thought that he wouldn't remember
young chap llxe myself. l followed him
! block before l could make up my mind
to accost him. Everybody on Broad.
way turned and looked admiringly at
him as he passed. and finally 1 thought
1t would be in keeping with western
How do you do, Mr.. Webster STEP
ped to his side"
Turning slightly and half stopping in
his walk he looked intensly into my face
an instant and said: why, how do you
do, Mr.. iSurnsP / am glad to see you,
sir" And 50 we walked together up 10
the Aston house. l actually be lieved he
inquired after every man he met at his
Detroit reception and that he called
each man by name as though they were
his intimate friends. From that hour /
knew the value of good memory, and
from that hour l began to cultivate my
own."
"And you believe your experience
with Mr.. Webster was of value to you?'
"Valne! Well, sir, it was one Of the
most valuable things that ever happened
70 me. 1t prompted me to begin q sort
II self-discipline. which l dare say hns
beer worth thousands of dollars to me.n