The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1900-08-10
Daniel Webster at Home



IT WAS one Of the noblest traits oil
Daniel Webster's character that he
ncver treated the men who worked Tor
him as menials. For Porter wright
he alwavs entertained the highest re-
qard. and Wright was a constant com
panion in his hunting and hshins eN'
cursions. Probably no man hNihg
knows 50 much about the inner NE OF
Webster. Of his habits. customs ana uls-
nosition. as Mr.. Wright, and II was
from his lips that learned many OF
the facts ! shall relate.
The old man was chopping WOOD
when reached his house. but on learn
inc nv errand replied in CHEEKY tones
Come in. come in. Al. yes. Mr.. Wen.
ster was grand old man, and we shal
never see his like again. He left a gap
in Narshfield that can never be hIeu'
II didn't seem TO occur TO ms non
eet soul that the death Of Webster lett
oap i'm the entire nation that cou'd
ncyer he filled. To his simple mind the
nuhlic life of Webster was matter oil
secondary importance to Webster as
farmer. a fisherman and a boon com
nanion. From him / learned more OF
Hv.beter's home life and of his charac'
fer as a man than from all the ms
tories and biographies that have ever
been written. lie assured me tna'
man Of more simple habits never lived
For stvle he cared absolutely nothing
In his dress about home he could no
he distinguished from any of his iarm
or or fishermen neighbOrs. Rarely di'
he wear a collar. An old slouch ma
covered his head. and his trouser
were always tucked inside OF m
boots.
If was only when he removed his hal
showing the massive proportions oi hl
brain. that you realized that you wer
standing in the presence OF migh'
genius. When Thorwaldsen' the ia.
ish SCULPTOR. saw his bust in the stuui
of Powers. at Rome, he exclaimed; An
now design of a Jupitor ! see II
could hardly be persuaded that II wa
tbe actual head Of a living American
Every man. woman and child in III
neigbborhood had full run OF Ne'
tors house. from cellar to garre
Whenever a man came in, the mr.
,bino he did was to open the sid
hoard take down the old decanter' an
nour out a glass Of brandy IL u
visitor drank, he was doubly weicom'
- he refused it Immediately lo"er'
him in Webster's estimation
of children he was particularly ron
STRANGE children would nestle in h
arms as readily as those who were
mi]iar with his features. Mr' wig
$ continued: :.
5 "No human being could induce HI
: 70 say a word about politics here
n was tabooed subject. If anyone me
~ tioned politics, his brow darkened ID
!, instant ,
d Farming. fishing. horses. cattle pi
ie ord bens-these were his favorl
a, =. themes. He knew every one OF
,e oot,le bv name as well as he knew |
70 nomos Of his brother senators. vi
Garden he was very proud. and mere
,. vould spend a portion Of each q
ne pulling weeds and hoeing vege'ao'es,
o Young lawyer Of the village OF
oo,re and asked him what be had D
- fer study to build himself up in his p
VI fession.
"Tnrnin seeds" was the laconic rep
'h The disciple Of Blackstone follow
n. bis advice. lie studied up everythi
that bore upon the subject OF turn
''' until he became a master OF the prln
nlcs of that vegetable. a year OF
mi 'n afterward a neighboring farmer OF OF
MS mated n new turnip, from the SAFE
Us whose seed he expected to make
ed. tune Another neighbor began 10 ra r
he he and sell the same seed, and lawsuit
art eulted. The originator OF the 5
An came TO retain Webster TO prosecute
in case. Webster replied:
nd; di T am not as well booked on turn
if rs ought to be, but there Is a yo'
1;e,r 1er follow over at the village who kn'
eht oil about them. Go and get him.
sea9l eal will win your case"
are The farmer posted off and enga
md md tbe other man. When the trial c.
ted off the lawyer astonished Judge }
sue sue, and audience by his profound learl
irv- on the subject of turnips' Inc
ace ace was triumphantly won' and. the yo
e to LAWYER started on the road to fame
'1S or fortune.
Webster's sense OF humor was
finite. On one occasion man pres
a. on ,d bill to him for payment.
NJ, "Wby." said Webster, u have
AXE '"3, ;,
the that bill before" A.,
An The neighbor assured him ina
The was mistaken.
II is "All right. then; call again IN
ii@g 1ner morning. and I will settle with yo
tate. As soon as the man was gone
~ ster called his son Fletcher ana
/. him to look over his papers ana