The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-10-17
WEBSTER AND MONEY
THE GREAT DANIEL WAS CARELESS
IN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
He ubl Himself Little About
What He Owed or About What 9th
ers Owed Him-The Way the Famous
Orator Charmed His Creditors.

what He Owed or About What 9th
ers Owed Him-The Way the Famous
Orator Charmed His Creditors.
As often as nature makes a demlgod
out of a man she tacks on to him some
badge of infirmity, 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 We're warm friends, and thereby Is
explained the fact that once upon a
timo 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 maturity
1t 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 a note Astounding in apologies
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 Sc
curity.
Corning accepted the invitation and
went to see the e%xpounder.
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-
tons 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, a member Of the firm
broke in with the remark, "Well l
suppose Mr.. Webster was highly
pleased to be able to pay the note"
"Highly pleased to pay the note" 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 l am thankful
that he did not ask me to make 1t
$4,000, for I don't think I could have
refused to grant his request"
An old B~ostonian who knew Web
ster well told me some years ago the
following story:
bill against Webster for several hun.
dred dollars. When Webster was
elected United States senator, the tai
lor went down to the Hub" to see
him about his bill, thinking that he
was then in a fair frame Of mind to
pay 1t.
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 u cordial
hand shake and a look of supreme be.
nightly, Mr.. Webster introduced him,
n 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 hi, the mischief!'
he replied. "Mr. Webster treated me
like a lord, introduced me to more big
folks than I ever say before in all my
life. and do You SUPPOSE I could have
the heart to mention hat bill to him?"
New York American.