The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-08-03
Daniel Webster at Home
Stories BY One Who Knew Him Well
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Dd0lel WeUSleI ~ uOWe
! s.or... BY On. who Knew Him Wen &
TT WAS one of the MODEST traits of
Daniel Webster's character that he
never treated the men who worked for
him as menials. For Porter Wright
he always entertained the highest re-
gard, and Wright was a constant COM
panion in his hunting and fishing ex-
cursions. Probably no man living
knows so much about the inner life of
Webster, of his habits, customs and dis
position, as Mr.. Wright, and it was
from his lips that learned many OF
the facts I shall relate.
The old man was chopping wood
when reached his house, but on learn
ing my errand replied in CHEEKY tones:
"Come in, come in. All, yes, Mr.. Web
ster was a grand old man, and We shall
never see his like again. He left gap
In Marshfeld that can never be filed"
1t didn't seem to occur to his hon
est soul that the death of Webster left
a gap in the entire nation that could
never be filled. To his simple mind the
public life of Webster was a matter of
secondary Importance to Webster as
a farmer, a fisherman and boon COM
panion. From him I learned more of
ter as q man than from all the his
tories and biographies that have ever
been written. He assured me that
man of more simple habits never lived.
For style he cared absolutely nothing.
In his dress about home he could not
be distinguished from any of his farm
er or fishermen neighbors. Rarely did
he wear a collar. An old SLOUGH hat
covered his head, and his trousers
were always tucked inside of his
boots.
It was only when he removed his hat,
showing the massive proportions of his
brain, that you realized that you were
standing in the presence of mighty
genius. When Thorwaldsen, the Dan
ish sculptor, saw his bust in the studio
of Powers, at Rome, he exclaimed: "Ah!
new design of a Jupiter, see." He
could hardly be persuaded that it was
the actual head of living American.
Every man, woman and child in the
neighborhood had a full run of Web
. ster's house, from cellar to garnet.
Whenever man came in, the first
thing he did was to open the side
board, take down the old decanter, and
pour out a glass of brandy. If the
visitor drank, he was doubly welcome;
if he refused, it Immediately lowered
him in Webster's estimation.
OF children he was particularly fond.
Strange children would nestle in his
arms as readily as those who were ia
miliar with his features. Mr.. Wright
continued:
mo human being could induce him
to say word about politics here. It
was tabooed subject. If anyone men
toned politics, his brow darkened in an
instant"
Farming, fishing, horses, cattle, pigs
and hens-these were his favorite
themes. He knew every one of his
cattle by name as we'll as he knew the
garden he was very proud, and here he
would spend portion of each day
pulling weeds and hoeing vegetables.
A young lawyer of the village once
came and asked him what he had bet
ter study to build himself up in his pro-
fession.
"Turnip seeds" was the laconic reply.
The disciple of Blackstone followed
his advice. He studied up everything
that bore upon the subject of turnips,
until he became master of the princi-
Piles of that vegetable. A year or two
afterward neighboring farmer orig
mated new turnip, from the sale of
whose seed he expected to make for
tune. Another neighbor began to raise
and sell the same seed, and lawsuit re-
suited. The originator of the seed
came to retain Webster to prosecute the
case. Webster replied:
II am not as well booked on turnips
as I ought to be, but there is a young
fellow over at the village who knows
all about them. Go and get him. He
will win your case"
The farmer posted of and engaged
the other man. When the trial came
off the lawyer astonished judge, jury
and audience by his profound learning
on the subject of turnips. The case
was triumphantly won, and the young
lawyer started on the road to fame and
fortune.P"g 2 = =
Webstef's sense of humor was in
snry rnn nnoo s;o,. a
ed bill to him for payment.
"Why,"' said Webster, II have paid
that bill before"
The neighbor assured him that he
was mistaken.
"An right, then; call again in the
morning, and Twill settle with you"
AS soon as the man was gone Web
ster called his son Fletcher, and told
him to look over his papers and see if
he could not find a receipted bill. To
thu surprise of both, two receipted bills
were found, showing that the bill had
beer paid twice. Webster put the re-
ceipts in his pocket and said nothing.
In themornfng the neighbor returned
for the money. Webster took his seat
under the old elm, and ordered Wright
to bring out the decanter. Filling the
glass to- the brim, he handed it to the
man and told him to drink. Webster
then began: .5-...
mr.. Blank, do you keep books?" =.
The man assured him that he did
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