Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1869 — Daniel Webster’s Fright. [ARTICLE]

Daniel Webster’s Fright.

No situation more perfectly paves the way for a hearty laugh at the end, than that of two strangers obliged to be together and in mutual terror of each other Nothing can be more comically uncomfortable than a couple of honest men eyeing each other askance an hour or two, when all the time “one is afraid and tbe other daresn’t. - Upon one occasion, Mr. Webster was on his way to attend to his duties at Washington. He was compelled to proceed at night by stage from Baltimore. He had no traveling companions, and the driver had a sort of felon look which produced no inconsiderable alarm with the Senator. “ I endeavored to trarquilize myself," said Mr. Webster, “ and had partially succeeded, when we reached the woods between Bladensburg and Washington (a proper scene for murder or outrage), and here I confess, my courage again deserted nm” “ Just then the driver, turning to me, with a gruff voice asked my name. I gave it to him. “ Where are you going ?" said he. The reply was “ to Washington. I am a Senator.” Upon this, the driver seized me fervently by the hand, and exclaimed, “How glad lam 1 I have been trembling In my seat for the last hour, for when 1 looked at you I took you to be. a highwayman.” Of course, both parties were relieved.