Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-10-03

keeper who understands double entry, at
the same time handing the man the
second receipt, which he took with tremb-
ling hands
Now. said Webster, u am going to
pay this bill just once more, but | assure
you on my word as a fisherman and my
honor as a farmer, that | will not pay it
the fourth time.
A pastime that Webster loved above all
others was fishing. As arule, however, he
had true fisherman luck and rarely ever
caught a fish unless II got entangled in his
line and couldn't possibly escape When
a little way ahead OF behind his fishing
companion he was always muttering to
himself And many Of the speeches were
composed while Webster was trolling along
the streams Of Marshfield On his return
from fishing trip he would throw himself
under the old elm tree in the door-yard and
enjoy short nap while resting from his
fatigue.
On one occasion some Boston friends and
admirers sent Webster as a present an enor-
nous plow Webster gave out word that
on a certain day it would be christened.
The day arrived and the surrounding far
mers for miles came in TO witness the event.
A dozen teams with aristocratic occupants
from Boston drove down to the christening.
Every one expected a great speech. The
pillow was brought out and yoke of oxen
We're hitched in front More than 200 peo-
pie stood around on the tiptoe Interpretation
Webster made his appearance He had
been calling spirits from the vastly deep
and his gait was somewhat uncertain.
Selling the pillow handles and spreading
his feet, he called out to the driver in his
deep bass voice
Are you already, Mr. Wright"
All ready, Mr.. Webster was the re
ply
Webster Strengthened himself up by a
mighty effort and shouted:
Then let her rip.
The crowd roared with laughter, while
Webster, with his big plow proceeded to
rip up the soil in huge burrows
In the next house to Webster's, on the
north. lives Mrs Baker. better known as
aunt Sally, Webster family nurse and
housekeeper for years When speaking Of
Webster she said he was one of the kind
est Of men. To those who served him well
his gratitude knew no bounds. For him
home was sacred place and while there
not one harsh word passed his lips Web
ster had great amount Of aristocratic
company, and it was impossible for him
to maintain the simplicity Of living that
so well accorded with his tastes Often,
when visitors would leave, he would go to
Mrs Baker and say: Now, Sally, those
cOnfounded politicians are gone let us
Z Gu lob Of st1
beans. 1t Is the common belief that the
dying words of Webster were II still
live but Mrs. Baker. who closed his eyes
after death, says that such is not true in
the sense given. He knew for several
hours that death was near at hand and was
extremely anxious to know the exact mo-
ment that divides time from eternity. As
the time approached he looked up and
said:
81 still live; tell me the point meaning
the point Of death.
One Of the physicians began quoting
Scripture to him, when he replied in
strong impatient voice:
No. no; tell me tine point; tell me the
point
These were the last word, that he ut
tered
In the quaint grass-growu old burial
ground just back of his house and upon
his own farm is the last resting place of
this great man. His tomb occupies the
center IF "a large lot surrounded by a high
iron fence. The vault is entirely covered
with soil and is only opened on the death
Of one family Ii was last opened i'm 1862
to receive the remains of Fletcher Webster.
who was shot in the last battle of Bun
Run In the same vault lie the bodies Of
children and grandchildren Not a drop
of Webster blood now remains in eXis-
teuce. The last living member of the
family is the wife Of Fletcher Webster.
On her death the tomb win once more be
opened to receive her remains and will
then be closed and sealed forever.
ARTHUR WRIT