Anecdote of Webster

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 4, 1882

Anecdote of Webster.

WHEN Daniel Webster's father found that his son was not robust enough to make a successful farmer, he sent him to Exeter to prepare for college, and found a home for him, among a number of other students, in the family of "old 'Squire Clifford," as we of a younger generation have always heard him called. Daniel had, up to this time, led only the secular life of a country farmer's boy; and though the New Hampshire farmers have sent out many heroes, as firm and true as the granite rocks in the pasture, there cannot be among the hard and homely work which such a life implies, the little finenesses of manner which good society demands. Daniel was one of these diamonds of the first water, but was still in the rough, and needed some cutting and polishing, to fit him to shine in the great world in which he was to figure so conspicuously.

None saw this more clearly than the sensible old 'Squire. The boy had one habit at table of which the 'Squire saw it would be a kindness to cure him. When not using his knife and fork, he was accustomed to hold them upright in his fists, on either side of his plate. Daniel was a bashful boy of very delicate feelings, and the 'Squire feared to wound him by speaking to him directly on the subject. So he called aside one of the other students with whom he had been longer acquainted, and told him his dilemma. "Now," said he, "I want you this noon at the table, to hold up your knife and fork as Daniel does. I will speak to you about it, and we will see if the boy does not take a hint for himself."

The young man consented to be the scapegoat for his fellow-student, and several times during the meal planted his fists on the table, with his knife and fork as straight as if he had received orders to present arms. The 'Squire drew his attention to his position, courteously begged his pardon for speaking of the matter, and added a few kind words on the importance of young men correcting such little habits before going out into the world. The student thanked him for his interest and advice, and promised reform; and Daniel's knife and fork were never from that day seen elevated at table.