The Press., 1906-11-14
WEBSTER AND MONEY
THE GREAT DANIEL WAS CARELESS
 IN FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.

He Troubled Himself Little About
 What He Owed or About What Oth-
 CTS Owed Him-The Way the Famous
 Orator Charmed His Creditors.
 As often as nature makes a demigod out of a man she Jacks 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 ob- 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 time Mr. Corning indorsed MT. 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- 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 abounding 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 se- curity.
 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- tions 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, I suppose MT. Webster was highly pleased to be able to pay the note."
 Highly pleased to pay the notew 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 that he did not ask me to make it $1O,OOO, for I don't think I 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 (N. H. tailor had bill against Webster for several hun dred dollars. When Webster was elected United States senator, the tai Tor went down to the Hub" to see him about his bill, thinking that he was then in a 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 MT. 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 a look of supreme be- nightly, MT. 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 mischief!' 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 l- 'f.>. ".> ....,.