Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-08-10
he could not and receipted bin. To

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the surprise of both. two receipted bills
were found, showing that the bill mad
been paid twice. Webster put the re-
ceipts in his pocket and said nothing.
In themorning 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:
''Mr. Blank. do you keep books?"
The man assured him that he did
not.
''Then would advise you to do so.''
said Webster, and pulling one of the
receipts from his pocket handed it to
him.
The man was covered with confusion,
while Webster continued:
'And while you are about it you had
better get bookkeeper who under
stands double entry!" at the same
time handing him another receipt
''Now," said Webster. 81 am going to.
pay this bill just once more. but l as
sure you upon my word of honor that
will not pay it the fourth time!"
The one great pastime that Webster
enjoyed in Nashfield was fishing. For
hours he would wander up and down
the streams and across the meadows.
AS rule, however. he enjoyed fisher
mans luck" 1t was rarely that he
caught a fish, unless by it's own care
lessness it became entangled on the
hook and couldn't escape. The fish
would nibble all the bait from the hook
without his ever pulling the line from
the water.
When little way ahead or behind he
was always muttering to himself. and
many of his grandest speeches were
composed while on these excursions.
On his return he would always throw
himself under the old elm tree in the
dooryard and enjoy a short nap while
resting from his fatigue.
On my rising to leave the house Mr..
Wright placed his hands upon my
shoulders and said: 'Would you like
a story that has never before appeared
in print?"
I assured him that nothing would
please me better.
'We1l, have told you that Mr.. Web
ster would never speak on politics
when here, but he would talk to the IS
senbled neighbors and guests on mat
tiers pertaining to farming. On one oc-'
casion some Boston friends presented
him with an enormous pillow to use on
his farm. Webster gave out word that
on a certain day it would be christened:
The day arrived, and the surrounding
farmers for miles came to witness the
event. A dozen teams with aristocrat-
| ic occupants came down from Boston
| It was expected by everyone that Web
| ster would make great speech on the
| occasion. reviewing the history of
| farming from the time when Cincin-
| natus abdicated the most mighty
| throne in the world to cultivate cab
bages in his Roman garden.
"The pillow was brought out, and ten
yoke of splendid oxen were hitched in
front. More than 200 people stood
around on the tiptoe of expectation.
Webster soon 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 yelled to me
in his deep bass voice.
care you ready. Mr.. Wright?'
| ".An ready, Mr.. Webster was the
| reply, meaning of course for the speech.
| "Webster Strengthened himself up by
a mighty effort and shouted:
| "'Then let her rip!'
"The whole crowd dropped to the
ground and roared with laughter, while
Webster, with his big pillow, proceeded
| to rip up the soil. This same pillow can
now be seen on top of the Faneui1 hall
market in Boston, and is conspicuous
object for miles around.
"Would you like to have little sow
enir of your visit to Webster's homer
asked Mr.. Wright, as the writer was
| about to leave. Here, come with me,
and will give you something. Look in
this old trunk and see this pile Of let
tiers that he used to write me from
Washington. I treasure them very
highly, but you shall have one. Take
your pick"
| Here was find indeed. rummaged
the letters over, and finally selected one
that I considered most characteristic
| of the man. It was about farming and
cattle. It also puts a new light on his
character as debtor. 1t is well known
| that he was poor financier, and the
| great public believes that he didn't
want to pay his debts; that he had nc
desire to do so. This letter. written
from the senate chamber, shows con
| clusively that he was willing to sell
anything to pay debts. For this rea-
son it is letter of great historical
value. It corrects public misconcep
| ton Of his character.
Here it is:
l 'Washington. Feb. 2. '5s.-Portel
Wright: Mr.. Weston will hand you
500. and I will hand you some more
soon.
81 have no objection to parting with