act that one of her
former citizens is a performer in Barnum and Bailey's Circus.

The number of old men in one of these New England villages impresses folks
from the West as being curious. There are a full dozen men at Salisbury
between seventy-five and ninety, and all have positive ideas as to just
why Daniel Webster missed the Presidency. I found opinion curiously
divided as to Webster's ability; but all seemed to argue that when he left
New Hampshire and became a citizen of Massachusetts, he made a fatal
mistake.

* * * * *

The sacrifices that the mother and the father of Daniel Webster made, in
order that he might go to school, were very great. Every one in the family
had to do without things, that this one might thrive. The boy accepted it
all, quite as a matter of course, for from babyhood he had been protected
and petted. At the last we must admit that the man who towers above his
fellows is the one who has the power to make others work for him; a great
success is not possible in any other way.

Throughout his life Webster utilized the labor of others, and took it in a
high and imperious manner, as though it were his due. No doubt the way in
which his family lavished their gifts upon him fixed in his mind that
immoral slant of disregard for his financial obligations which clung to
him all through life.

There is a story told of his going to a county fair with his brother
Ezekiel, which shows the characters of these brothers better than a
chapter. The father had given each lad a dollar to spend. When the boys
got home Daniel was in gay spirits and Ezekiel was depressed. "Well, Dan,"
said the father, "did you spend your money?"

"Of course I did," replied Daniel.

"And, Zeke, what did you do with your dollar?"

"Loaned it to Dan," replied Ezekiel.

But there was a fine bond of affection between these two. Ezekiel was two
years older and, unfortunately for himself, was strong and well. He was
very early set to work, and I can not find that the thought of giving him
an education ever occurred to his parents, until after Daniel had
graduated at Dartmouth, and Dan and Zeke themselves then forced the issue.

In stature they were the same size: both were tall, finely formed, and in
youth slender. As they grew older they grew stouter, and the personal
presence of each was very imposing. Ezekiel was of light complexion and
ruddy; Daniel was very dark and sallow. I have met severa