The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-08-17
HOW WEBSTER
PAID HIS DEBTS

AS OlCCA d6 udtUS hahOS q 0SAA
igod out of man she tacks on to hin
some badge of infrmity, some sigr
or token by which the less favored o.
the race may know that he is not alb
solutely removed from them, but is
in certain ways. co-heir with them in
common humanity.
The "god-like Daniel" expounder Of
the Constitution" and father OF the
Sentiment of American Nationality
whose Jovian front awed all men and
whose eloQuence the applause of lis
tening Senates" did command, was
mighty careless about his financial OBJ
legations, seldom troubling himself
about what he owed or about what
others owed him.
The late Erastus Corning and Web
ster were warm friends, and thereby
is explained the fact that once upon
a time Mr.. Corning Endorsed Mr.. Web
ster's note for a considerable amount.
AS things go in this world notes
must sooner or later come due, and
when this particular note reached ma
turity it went to protest. But Web
ster was the great expounder," and
the firm, not wishing to embarass
him, paid It,
Time passed, and when it was sup
posed that Webster's financial condi-
ton was improved Mr.. Corning was
prevailed upon by the firm to ask
Webster II he could make it con-
venient to liquidate the claim.
In answer to Corning's letter, Web
ster sent note Astounding in apollo
gies for the trouble he had put his
friend to, and wound up with a most
cordial invitation to the gentleman to.
visit him, when he would probably be
in a position to pay him, or, at least,
to give him some sort of satisfactory
security.
Corning accepted the invitation and
went to see the expounder.
In due time Corning returned home,
delighted and charmed with his visit
to Marshfield.
Entertaining his partners with en-
thusiastic accounts of the great states
mans hospitality and with descrip-
lions of the various incidents of his
visit, Corning forgot to say word
about the main object of the visit.
Finally, after Corning had exhausted
himself in describing the good time
he had had, member Of the firm
broke In with the remark, We'll, 1
Mr.. Webster was highly
pleased to be able to pay the note
Highly pleased to pay the motel"
responded Corning; he didn't pay any
note. He not only did not pay the
note, but he so charmed and delighted i
me that he got me to sign another i
note for him for 81. 900, and am thank |
full that ne did not ask me to make 1t |
sic, 900, for don't think could have /
to grant his request"
An old Bostonian, who knew Web
ster well, told me some years ago the /
following story:
A Portsmouth IN. HI tailor had a
bill against Webster for several hun
dollars. When Webster was elected |
United States Senator the tailor went
down to the Hub" to see him about i
his bill, thinking that he was then in i
a fair frame of mind to pay 1t.
When the Portsmouth man got to i
Boston Webster was holding levee,
1t which were gathered the most dis
.inguished men of the nation.
Presenting himself at the door the
ailor was denied admission on the
ground that Mr.. Webster was engaged
With affairs of state and could not
,e disturbed.
The tailor sent up his card, which
no sooner saw than he or
Tered the gentleman to be ushered
nto his presence.
Receiving the man with cordial
and a look of supreme
Webster introduced him,
me by one, to the illustrious COM
amy; dined him and wined him, and
n the course of time the guests, In
luding the Portmouth man, departed.
Upon reaching home the tailor was
sked If he got the money for his bill.
Money for my bill, the DEVIL" he u
eplied. "Mr. Webster treated me b
Ike a lord, introduced me to more
ig folks than I ever saw before in all "
~ life, and do you suppose 1 could d
ave the heart to mention that bin y
, him.-Rev. Thomas B. Gregory in la
he New York American. c