The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-29
CLAY, WEBSTER AND HARRISON.
Anecdotes OF Three Statesmen Related By
tho Late Fred II. Thomas.

tho Late Fred ID. Thomas.
WASHINGTON. June 29-The late Fred II.
| Thomas. personal friend OF President William
| Henry Harrison. and through his influence
Assistant Librarian OF Congress, used to re-
late many anecdotes Of life in Washington
which are still repeated. He insisted that
Henry Clay was by nature an autocrat OF auto
Gratis. while Daniel Webster. with all his strong
! literary tastes. was. in his intercourse with
those OF inferior station. most democratic in
his dcmeanor Clay would come into the
library without seemingly seeing any one. ana
in n commanding tone say. Get me the Edin-
Luroh Rerier." receive 1t without the slightest
recognition OF tho attendant. seat himself
where he would most obstruct others. read
some special article. throw the periodical into
n corner and then stalk haughtily from the
room. Webster, on the contrary. would bow to
every one as he entered the room. and ask in a
pleasant manner:
Have you received the last issue OF tho
Edinburgh Rerier? There Is an article on po-
litical economy l should like to see. IL you
please" and seating himself at n table would
take up some publication Of current interest in
which he would become absorbed. When the
RPrer was brought he would acknowledge it
by nod and thank you" and would lay 1t on
the table. continuing to read what he had first
taken up for an hour or more and sometimes
iedNlus tnt WITHOUT even EluhSihh -"
the publication he had called for.
On the occasion OF a reception given to Clay
by Batimoreans. a trip down the Chesapeake
Bay was given. and on the return trip game
OF euchre was arranged. AS Clay was noted
player at all games OF cards. In order that the
game should be interesting pair fskiful
players were selected to play against him. and
the local card champion. Billy Bryson. who
simply worshpped Clay. had the honor OF
being his partner 1t was constitutional with
the Great Commoner as his friends delighted
20 call him. to be at or near the top in any en-
terrrise in which he was engaged. whether 1t
happened to be politics or n game OF euchre
Tor pastme. and he was by no means an agree
able loser at anything Poor old Billy Bryson
was SO overcome Mt the idea Of being Clay's
partner that he became entirely bewildered
errors. t!ays temper rose rapidly and he
rallied at Bryson in good set terms. Finally
by CAD. sir. if You we're old Billy Bryson.
and had the great Harry Clay for partner.
ar thtHs yGn should be excused for falling
and tn" right bower" The Involuntary COM
pIiment so pleased Clay that he shouted with
laughter. and was ever afterward warm friend
OF Bryson's.
An old negro and, his wife who had found
home in Washington. where the old man. with
the assistance Of some white folks. turned an
unnfed barn into meeting place for religious
npnearanfGe OF primitive church The old
the growing congregation and so on. One
Sunday morning Just before service he was
happened to meet the great Kentucky Senator
Vel. Bob. said the Senator. what are
a9G out M so sa yon
know dc early bird ketches de worm"
32h; YOU Wsr are Worm worm hunting are your
won't help me some bout my little church"
No indeed" said the senator I'll not give
TO help you with that church,
Yes. Marse Henry. dat's So sab ; you did in
deed; sab. an, OATS treasure laid up for you
IT,, on, / is; Is it p and Clay moved On Turn,
he continued: Here ara $40 i won at cards
after sitting up a" ast night Now il You can
to church purposes take il along"
Old Bob bowed and pulled his cap
do move in a mysterns way His wonders to
perform! Thankee. Marse Henry; thankee
Thomas used to say of William Henry Harr-
son that though a man OF excellent sense he
had spent the greater part OF his manhood
TO roughing it that lie entered the White House
with loss knowl"dGo Of tho ways Of the world
lived in Wash ineton as a United States Scn ma.
tor. but was domiciled in very pla in way in
OF az the hSa idea
Any ono item of food that tickIed his palate
was enough Tor him, and he would satisfy his
hunger on it. At the first and only diplomatic
dinner which he lived to give there was served
the perfection OF dishes. mutton'chops wrapped
in brown paprr, SO rs to preserve the Juices
while cooking This delcacy was entirely
new to the President and he called for n sec
ond and even n thi ri chop. and was satisfying
his appetite with this one ontrae when his eve
lighted upon some turkey which had Just been
served to his neighhor. Turning to his wife
with look OF rrproach he said
Why my dear, didn't know we had turkey
for dinner too