Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1884 — Daniel Webster’s Court Dress. [ARTICLE]

Daniel Webster’s Court Dress.

Mr. Webster and Judge Duane Doty, then of Green Bay, Wis., were warm friends, and the Judge at one time was a visitor at Marshfield. Mr. Webster was very foild of fishing—the only outdoor sport in which he indulged. While the Judge was his guest it chanced that a fine day for his sport presented itself, of which Mr. W. was anxious to avail himself. Hd accordingly invited the Judge to accompany him in this piscatory sport. The Judge didn’t want to go, and tried his best to get off, saying he would much prefer, with his consent, to pass that rainy day in Mr. W.’s library, among his books and papers. Mr. W. wouldn’t listen to him; said he could pass any and as many days in the library as he chose, but such a day as that for fishing might not occur again while they were at Marshfield. The Judge, as a last resort, said that he really could not go, as it would spoil his clothes; that the handsome black suit he had on was his best and all lip had, and that to go fishing in it would spoil it. To meet this objection Mr. W. directed his servant George to go upstairs and bring down the dress in which he was presented at court in England, which George did. As soon as he appeared with it Mr. W. said: “Thpre, Doty, is a dress for you; put it on, and come as soon as you can, for we are losing valuable time. ” The Judge replied: “Surely, Mr. Webster, you are not in earnest in what you say—that you want me to go fishing in that elegant suit, and spoil it ?” “Yes, I am,” he replied; “that is what it has been brought down for.” The Judge still lingered, when Mr. W. t to settle the matter, said to him: “Have no anxiety about injuring the dress, for to fish and hunt in it is the only way it can now be made useful. Could I wear it in Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, or even here? If I did, wouldn’t everybody laugh at me?” The Judge was compelled to answer affirmatively to the question. “Well, then,” he said, “pray what is it good for but to go fishing in?” This settled the matter. The Judge put on the dress, and went fishing in Mr. W.’s court dress, and saved his own. —Harper’s Magazine .