Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-10-24
WEBSTER AND MONEY
The GREAT DANIEL WAS CARELESS
~ FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.

ae Troubled Himself LItsIe About
what lie Owed or About what 9th
ers Owed Him-The Way the Famous
Orator Charmed His Creditors.
As often as nature makes a demigod
Sut OF 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, I'm 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 senator's 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, aud thereby f.
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 mnturi ty
II went 10 protest. But Webster was
the great expOunder," and the firm.
not wishing TO embarrass him. paid Il.
Time passed. and when II was sup.
posed that Webster's financial condi.
ton was improved Mr.. Corning was
prevailed upon by the firm TO ask Web
ster IL he could make It convenient 70
liquidate the claim.
In answer to Corning's letter Web.
ster sent note Astounding In apologies
for the trouble he had put his friend
70. and wound up with n most cordial
invitation to the gentleman TO visit
him, when ne would probably be Ia a
position to pay him, or. at least to
give him some sort Of satisfactory Sc.
curity.
Corning accepted the invitation and
went 10 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 4 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. We'll. ]
suppose Mr. Webster was highly
pleased TO be able TO pay the note"
Highly pleased to pay the noter' re-
sponded Corning. lie didn't pay any
note. lie 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 5000. and l am thankful
that lie did not ask mo 10 make il
$4,000. for | don't think l could have
refused 10 grant his request"
An old Bostonian who knew Web
ster well told me some years ago tho
following story:
4 Portsmouth q. H. tailor had q
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 hC
was then I'm n fair frame OF mind tC
pay IT,
When the Portsmouth man got e
Boston. Webster was holding levee
ut 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 n cordIa
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 tn,
course OF time the guests, including
! the Portsmouth man, departed.
Upon reaching home the tailor wa.
asked IL he got the money for his bill.
Money for my bill. the mischief
he replied. Mr.. Webster treated ~,
like "A lord. introduced me to more bl:
| folks than l ever saw before in all my
/ life. and do YOU suppose l could hav,
the heart TO mention that bill to him z
/ New York American.