The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-03
DANIEL WEBSTER AT HOME.
STORIES NJ 0NE VINO Knew HIY
WELL AT MARSHFIELD.
Kind Toward Those whom He Employed-His
Love Of Chiidren ODD Advice That Was
the Making OF . Young Lawyer-How He
Dedicated a Piough-A webster Letter.

! FROM the Lertston Ercntng journal
II was one Of the noblest 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 high.
est regard, and Wright was a constant COM
! panion in his hunting and fishing excursions.
Probably no man living knows so much about
the inner life Of Webster, of his habits, customs.
and disposition as Mr.. Wright, and 1t was from
his lips that | learned many OF the facts ! shau
relate.
The old man was chopping wood when I
reached his house, but on learning my errand
replied In CHEEKY tones:
Come in, come in. All. yes, Mr., Webster
was a grand man, and we shall never see his
can never be filed"
II didn't seem To occurato his honest soul
entire nation that could never be filled. 10
his simple mind the public life Of Webster
was a matter Of secondary importance 10 Web
ster rs a farmer, a fisherman and a boon CONF
panion. From him ! learned more Of Web
ster's home life and of his character as a man
than from all the histories and Biographies
a am man Of more simple habits n never 1ss4i lived tp' 'Fss
style he cared absolutely nothing; In ,hie
from s a9VG Of h his fsp me epG or d hG, : De alsn naIsSSnss
Rarely did he wear a collar. An old SLOUGH
hat covered his head, and his trousers were
always tucked inside Of his boots.
1t was only when he removed his hat, show.
ing the massive proportions Of his brain, that
you realized that you were standing In the
waIdsen,. the great Danish sculptor, saw bic
bust in, the studio OF Powers. at Rome. he OK.
claimed: All q new design Of a Jupiter,
II was the actual head Of q living American.
Every man. woman, and child In the neigh.
borhood had a full run Of Webster's house.
IN, the first thing he die, was to open the side
board, take down the old decanter, and pour
out a glass Of brandy, Il the visitor drank.
mediately lowered him In Webster's estimation.
q children he was particularly fond. Strange
those who were familiar with his features. MI.
No human being could induce him TO cay .
word about politics here. 1t was a tabooed
subject. II any one mentioned politics, his
brow darkened In an instant"
Farming. fishing. horses cattle pigs. and
hens were his favorite themes. He
knew every one Of his cattle by name a. well a.
he knew the names of his brother Senators. OF
his garden be was very proud and herr he
weeds and ,hoeing vegetables.
A young LAWYER of the village once came and
asked him what he had better study 10 build
himself up in. his profession.
"Turnip seeds. " was the laconic reply,
The disciple. Of Blackstone followed his adj
the subject Of turnips, until he became a master
of the principles Of that vegetable. A year or
two. afterward a neighboring, farmer origin:
ated a new turnip, from the sale of whose seed
he expected TO make a, fortune. Another
neighbor began TO raise and sell the same seed.
and a lawsuit resulted The originator Of tho
seed came 10 retain Webster TO prosecute the
Il am not as well booked up on turnips a.
the Village who knows ali about them. Go and
The farmer posted of and engaged the other
man. When the trial came OF the lawyer aston.
ished Judge Jury and audience by his profound
learning on the subject Of turnips. The case
was trinmphsnlly won and ne young lawyer
Webster's sense OF humor was infinite, On
one occasion a man presented a bill to him for
why" said Webster. Il have paid that bill
The neishbor assured him that he was mis-
All right. then; call again in the morning, and
' will settle with You" a..
Is soon as the man MAS gone Webster called
papers, and see II he could not and a receipted
bill. To the surprise OF both. two receiI.ted
bills were found, showing that the bill had
been paid twtce. Webster put the receipts IN
his pocket and aid nothing.
In the morninA the neighbor returned fer ne
a %Dne and S "rdsrsd iI2s H to f S1ins s" out the he d de-
c%anter. Filling the A,ass to the brim, he handed
i to the man and tolS him to Drink, Webster
Nj, Blank. do you kSfp boQks1"
Then would advise 'Soa to do So , ,aid
hli rs Rsf msn H va. csv 's cd S %IIhi\ ,nfu.lon. Will.
And while YOU are about it yAs had peter
get a bookkeeper who understands double
entry at the same time handing hih another
Now" said Webster. Il am going toSpay
this bill Just once more, but / assure YOU UPON
my word Of honor that I will not pay 1t The
The one great ,pastime that Webster en-:
he would wander up, and down the streams
.-L a--Aao ekA paAalaua a rnlA hnWa
ever, he enjoyed "fsherman's luck" II was
rarely that he caught a fish, unless by It's own
carelessncss 1t became sptangled on ne hSSk
ali the bait from the hook without his ever
pulling the line from the water.
When a little way ahead or behind he was
always muttnring TO himself. and many. Of
his grandest speeches were composed while
on these excursions ON his return, ne 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 q story that has never before
appeared in PRINT"
7 assured him that nothing would please me
Well, l have told you that Mr.. Webster
would never speak on politics when here, but
and guests on matters pertaining to farm
ing. On one occasion some Boston friends
presented him with an enormous plough t9
that on a certain day II would be christened.
The day arrived, and the surrounding farmers
for miles came 10 witness the event. A dozen
teams with arlstocratic occupants came down
from Boston. II was expected ny every. one
that Wepster would make a great speech on
Jhe occasion, reviewing the history OF farm.
ing back 10 the time when Cincinnatus ab.
dicated the most mighty throne in the world
to cultivate cabbages in his Roman garden.
The plough was brought out, and ten yoke
of splendid oxen were hitched in front. More
than two hundred people stood around on
the tiptoe of expectation, Webster soon made
his appearance. lie had been calling spirits
from the Vastly deep. and his gait was some
what uncertain. SeiainD the plough handles
and spreading his feet he yelled 20 me In his
deep bass voice:
Are YOU ready, Wright
IAN ready. Mr.. Webster. was the reply,
meaning of course for the speech.
"WpDster Strengthened himself up by q mighty
effort and shouted.
Then lei her rim"
The whole crowd dropped 10 the ground and
roared with laughter, while Webster. with his
big plough. proceeded TO rip up the soil. This
same Plough can nov be seen on top OF the
Fanenil Hall market In Boston, and II a con-
spicuouS object for miles around
Would you like 10 have a little souvenir OF
your visit 10 Wehster's home'" asked Mr..
Wright, as the writer was about to leave. Hero.
come with me. and ! will give you something.
Look in this old irunk and see this pile Of letters
treasure them very highly, hut YOU shall have
one. Take your pick,
Here Was a find. indeed. rrnmaged tho
letters over. ard finally selected one that con-
sidered most characteristic Of the man. II was
ahoI, farming and Cat'le IL also nuts n new