The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-07
HELPING A POOR MAN,


Daniel webster's Phenomenal Success as
Seller of Potatoes.
Among other anecdotes related
about Daniel Webster by his New
Hampshire friends, was one which
Colonel James Wilson used to tell
about his visit to the house of lawyer
in the Granite State in the spring Of
1917. 1t will be recollected that the
summer of 1916 was so cold that few
crops ripened in New England, espe-
cially potatoes. Among the few who
put into their cellar supply of this
vegetable was the lawyer at whose
house Mr.. Webster was guest, and
he saw them doled out to purchasers
at large prices for the ready cash. One
day, in the absence of his entertainer,
Mr.. Webster was standing on the door
step when poor man from distant
part of the town drove up to the door
with cart and oxen. He seemed a
very clever, honest man, but mach re-
duced in circumstances and was great
ly disappointed on learning that his
errand was likely to prove fruitless.
1t appeared from his own statement
that he had called some days before
and requested to be furnished with a
few bushels of potatoes for planting;
but as he could not pay for them down
he had received an evasive answer.
Bold from the necessity of his situation
and the want of his family, he had,
however, hired neighbours team and
come over with the forlorn hope of
teasing the fortunate man out of suffi-
cient for a small crop. Mr.. Webster
heard the countryman tale, and per-
ceiving his downcast and saddened
look on retiring, remarked to the lady
of his friend that the poor mans case
seemed an unusually hard one, as not
only was he very poor and his family
probably in want, but he would I'M
doubtedly be obliged to give day
labor in return for the team he had
brought over ON his fruitless errand
and said that if she would not object,
he would take the responsibility of fur
nishing the farmer his supply. To
this she readily consented, and forth
with the lawyer followed the man to
his cart and asked him to drive round
to the barn, remarking that he would
see if he could do any thing for him.
The compliance was indeed ready and
joyful.
In the meantime, having hunted up
huge coal basket, holding a multi
tude of pecks and clambered into the
potato bin, it was soon filled with a
load at which even the giant Senator
tugged right heartily. 1t was filled
several times, when the farmer said he
had received as many basketfuls as he
had expected bushels. The lawyer in
quired 'if that were as many as he
could plant?" 90, no; but as many, he
feared, as he should be able to pay
for" Every WE'LL" said the lawyer,
"here seem to be potatoes enough.
How many can you plant?" The other
named certain number of bushels,
and the basket was once more in mo-
ton till it had passed the given number
of times.
The lawyer then inquired of the
farmer how he proposed to live and
support his family while these were
growing. 49," said he, II 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, sin that case your crop
may not be SO 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.
IN matter, here are potatoes enough, ~
and without needing circumstances
the lawyer tugged on till the cart was
full to overfiowing, 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 yon gave
him none,' said he. "But he was very
urgent" "Ah, well, he will never
pay for them" Here the defender
took up the case, if not with the
energy with which he met Genera
Hayne, vet with so much success that
he caused his entertainer to promise
never to apply to any other person fol
his pay than the man who loaded the
cart.--Ben: Perley Poore, IN Boston
Budget.