Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-09-11
"REMINISCENCES OF PUBLIC MEN.
BY BEN: PERLEY PooRE.

Among other anecdotes related about
Daniel Webster by his New Hampshire
ri0nds, was one which Col. James w l.
ION used to tell about his visit to the
house OF a lawyer in the Granite State
n the spring of 1917. 1t will be recol-
lected that the summer Of 1916 was so
;old that few crops ri pened in New
England, especially potatoes. Among
the few who put into their cellar o sup,
ply of this vegetable was the lawyer
1t whose house Mr.. Webster was
guest, and he saw them dolel out to
purchasers at large prices, for the ready
cash. One day, in the absence of his
entertainer, Mr.. Webster was standing
on the doorstep, when poor man from
distant part of the town drove up to
the door with cart and oxen. He
seemed very clever, honest man, but
much reduced in circumstances, and
was greatly disappointe on learning
that his errand was likely to prove
fruitless. 1t appeared from his own
statement that he had called some days
before and re Iuested to be furnished
with q few bushes of potatoes for
planting; but as he could not pay fol
them down, he had received an evas.
i've answer. Bold from the necessity
of his tuat.on and the want OF hla
family, he had, however, hired neigh.
boris team, and come over with the for
lorn hope of teasing the fortunate man
out of sufficient for small crop. Mr.,
Webster heard the countryman's tale,
and perceiving his downcast and sad,
dened look on retiring, remarked to
the lady of his friend that the poor
mans case seemed an unusually harl
one, Us not only was he very poor, and
his fam ly probably in want, but he
would undoubtedly be obliged to give
a days labor in return for the team he
had brought over on his fruitless er,
rand, and sad that if she would not
object he would take the responsibility
OF furnishing the farmer his supply,
10 this she readily consented, and
forthwith the lawyer followed the man
to his cart, and asked him to drive
round to the barn, remarhing that he
would see if he could do anything fol
him. The compliance was indeed
ready and joyful.
In the meantime, having hunted un
huge coal basket, holding multitude
of pecks and clambered into the potato
bin, it was soon filed with load al
which even the giant Senator tugged
right heartily. 1t was filled several
times, when the farmer said he had re-,
ceived as many basketfuls as he had
expected bushels The lawyer inquired
If that were as many Us he could
plant?" "Oh, no; Tut as many, he
feared, as he should be able to pay
for" Every WE'LL" said the lawyer,
there seem to be potatoes enough
How many can yol plant?" The other
named certain number of bushels,
and the basket was once more in mo-
ton till it had passed the given num-
Der of times.
The lawyer then inquired of the
farmer how he proposed to live and
support his family while these were
growing. "Oh," said he, Il intend to
cut Off the seed ends and plant them,
and save the other part for eating; we
have nothing else" "But," returned
the lawyer, 'in that case your crop
may not be 80 good. Here seem to be
potatoes enough, and you had better
take few more bushels to live upon
while they are growing" The man
protested he could not pay for them.
No matter, here are potatoes enough, I"
and without needing remonstrances the
lawyer tugged on till the cart was full to
overtlow:ng, and then babe the driver
"go home and remain an honest man. :"
His, money-loving friend returned in
due time, and his wife breaking the
subject, mentioned the visit and errand
of the neighbor. "Of course you gave
him none," said he. But he was very
urgent" "Ah, we'll, he will never pay
for them" Here the defender" took
up the case, if not with the energy
with which he met Gen. Havne, vet
with SO much success that he caused
his entertainer to promise never to ap-
plyto any other person for his pay than
the man who loaded the cart.
President Lincoln was very fond OF
Witnessing theatrical performances. He
once broke an important engagement
with q committee of New York BANKERS
that he might witness the "School for
Scandal" and he never failed to see
Hackett whenever the comedian APP.
peared as Falstaff. Col. Forney used
to get him to attend the performances
OF Forrest, but he never appeared to
enjoy the gymnastics of the muscular
tragedian. One evening h witnessed
q piece called the "Seven Sisters" in
which the leading actor, Mr.. Nc,
Donough, introduced u varied assert
ment of Jokes, puns, and dec ded hits,
some of them belonging to the author
of the niece and Othars what waro
known in theatrical parlance as gags.
Mr.. Lincoln was so we'll pleased with
what he saw and heard on the occasion
that he wrote complimentary note to
Mr.. McDonough few days afterward,
cordially inviting him to call Mt the
White House. The actor accepted the
invitation extended to him, and made
his bow at the White House next day.
Mr.. Lincoln received him warmly, told
him how much he was delighted with
the Seven Sisters" and pressed him
to recite the ,jeuc d'esprit which had
pleased HIM so much. Mr.. Nc
Donough cheerfully complied, and the
result of the conference was heavy
reinforcement Of the repertoire Of
Presidential jokes.
At the May Ball given at the Assem-.
bly, rooms in 1912, the honors of the
crown fell upon Miss Louisa Adams,
the granddaughter of ex-! resident
John Quincy Adams, who was present
with President Tyler, the diplomatic
corps and many members OF Congress.
The marchings and counter marchipgs
we're gone through with. with all the