The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-10-11
WEBSTER AND MONEY
sTHE GREAT DANIEL WAS CARELESS
IN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.

~ he GREAT DANIEL WAS CARELESS
IN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
He Troubled Himself Little About
What He Owed or About What 9th
ers Owed Him-The Way the Famous
Orator Charmed His Creditors.
As often as nature makes demigod
out of man she tacks on to him some
badge Of inirmity, some sign or token
by which the less favored of the race
may know that he is not absolutely re.
moved from them, but is, in certain
ways, co-heir with them in common
humanity.
The **godlike Daniel" 'expounder of
the constitution" and father Of the
sentiment Of American nationality
whose eloquence the applause Of lis
tening senators" 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 considerable amount.
AS things go in this world notes must
sooner or later come due, and when
this particular note reached maturity
it went to protest. But Webster was
the ''great expounder," and the firm,
not wishing to embarrass 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 Web
ster If he could make it convenient to
liquidate the claim.
In answer to Corning's letter Web
ster sent note Astounding in apologies
for the trouble be 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 Sc
GlrHy.
Corning accepted the invitation and
went to see the expounder.
In due time Corning returned bone,
,delighted and charmed with his visit
to Marshfeld.
Entertaining his partners with en-
thuslastic accounts Of the great states
mans hospitality and with descrip-
lions Of the various incidents of his
visit, Corning forgot to say a word
about the main object Of the visit.
Finally, after Corning had exhaust
ed himself In describing the good time
he had had, member Of the firm
broke in with the remark, "Well,
suppose Mr.. Webster was highly
pleased to be able to pay the note"
"Highly pleased to pay the notev' re-
sponded Corning. "He didn't pay any
note. He not only did not pay the
note, but he so charmed and delighted
me that he got me to sign another note
for him for $4,000, and I am thankful
that he did not ask me to make it
$4,000, for don't think could have
refused to grant his request"
An old Bostonian who knew Web
ster we'll told me some years ago the
following story:
A Portsmouth On. H. tailor had a
bill against Webster for several hun
dred dollars. When Webster was
elected United States senator, the tai
lor went down to the Club" to see
him about his bill, thinking that he
was then in fair frame Of mind to
pay it.
When the Portsmouth man got to
Boston, Webster was holding a levee,
at which were gathered the most dis
tinguished men Of the nation.
Presenting himself at the door, the
tailor was denied admission on the
ground that Mr.. Webster was engaged
with affairs Of state and could not be
disturbed.
The tailor sent up his card, which
Webster no sooner saw than he Or
dered the gentleman to be ushered
into his presence.
Receiving the man with a cordial
hand shake and look Of supreme be-
nightly, Mr.. Webster introduced him,
one by one, to the illustrious company,
dined him and wined him, and in the
course Of time the guests, including
the Portsmouth man, departed.
Upon reaching home the tailor was
asked if he got the money for his bill:
Money for my bill, the mischiefw
he replied. "Mr. Webster treated me
like lord, introduced me to more big
folks than I ever saw before in all my
life, and do you suppose could have
the heart to mention that bill to him %.
New York American.