Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-05-28
kNr0noThE. LITERATURE
Contributed to he Independent
BY ". G.
DANIEL wEBsTER.
an IsclpsNr il ms EARLY LIFE.

10 Mr.. Webster's boyhood there
lived in his native town man By
the name Of Hammond, q rough, mr.
cultivated, but kind hearted, honest
fell9w--half farmer and half back
woodsmap. Hammond's boys were
expert in hunting and fishing aud
Mr.. Webster, who always had an
especial foudness Tor such sports,
was often accompanied by them on
his excursions, and thus became
well acousinted with tie family.
After a time TIE Hsmmonds emf
GREETED to some wild region near the
Canadian border, and for several
vears Mr. Webster lost oil trace OF
them, but during one Of mis- college
vacations, q desire 70 see bis old
friends again, determined him to
sesreh them out. After some trou.
bic be succeeded 10 discovering their
place of abode, and somewhat IA
tiguing journey brought him to the
log cabin of the eccentric old wan
derer, who had fixed his residence
as fer as possible from the settle
ments. which were becoming too
densely populated TO suit bis ideas
of comfortable life. Hammond and
his rood dame, with their stout
boys, were. Of course, delighted to
wcet Mr.. Webster again, and the
rude bospitallties of the cabin were
extended Wits open hands. The
family VAS poor-mueh poorer than
he hsd expected TO find them, but
not the less cheerful and happy.
Supper was at once provided by
the kind hostess, for,said Hammond,
Daul's hungry, and We must dc
the b,st we can, wife" Young
Webster bad keen appetite and en-
joyed The meal, but for the first
time in his life partook of diet
which even Parker, with all his in
genuity and originality in providing
tempting entrees, never would have
though. OF. This was nothing more
OF less than grass fried in lard
which formed the principal portion
Of the meal.
Tire fodder" having been daily
discussed and cleared away, Ham.
moud entered into conversation with
Mr.. Webster, and among other
things wss anxious to know what
pursuit his young friend designed
to follow. NJ. Webster replied
that he had not definitely made up
his mind, but supposed lie should be
either physician, a minister or
lawyer.
"DanI,' said Hammond, "you'ye
6 good head, and can maze figure
in the world, if you don't throw
your chances away. Now, / have
some experience, though I have not
much learuin and III give you q
bit Of advice for old acquaintance |
sake. Don't you 90 to be doctor,
il hard work, gettin' up a nights,
ard trot-iu round with those etern-
al saddle bags. Nor l wouldn't be
q minister neither, its a poor kind Of
living, and you'd be tired of this |
everlasting preachingi and as for
Tie lawyers, they re all Internal ras-
Gals. Now, DanI, I'll tell We how
ye can make iortin, and won't |
charge anything for it, neither be
q conjurer, DanI be & coniurer.
I are just The tight sort Of chap |
Tor conjurin and them fellows make
power OF money. A good many
people lose their COWS, snd there's a
way TO tell bow they've gone. j
don't know how, but you've book
learnin', and can find out and know
everything jest as those chaps do,
and besides you can tell forums.
Take ny advice, Dann, and be
conjurer."
Mr.. Webster was greatly diverted
but he took care not to offend his
worthy old friend, who was exceed.
ingly earnest and sincere in giving
his simple views He promised TO
reflect and decide carefully. After
partaking agaia Of fried grass at
breakfast, he took an afectionate
leave. Hammond parting words
were, Don't forget, Danr," con
jurer's the thing for you.
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