Daniel Webster's Courtship

The following bas been related as the mnnner in wliicli Mr. Webster becume cngaged to his loving and devoted wife. He saw her first when he was a young lowyer at Portsmouth, and she was Miss Graco Fletcher. At one of his visita he had, probably with a view of utilitj and enjoyment, been holdiug skeins of silk thread for her, when suddenly he Btopped, saying: "Grase, we have been engaged in nntying knots, let us seo if we can tío a kuot wlich will ii')t untie for a lifetime." He then took a piece of tape, and after beginning a i knot of peculiar kind, gave itup toherto complete. This was the ceremony and ratilication pf the engagement. And in the littln box marked by him with the words "Precious Documenta," eoutaining the. letters of his early couitship, this uniquo memorial was found - the knot never untied. To the memory of the lady wlio won his earliest affection, who sharcd the trials and Ihe triumph of his early inanhood, Mr. Webster relaiued to the end of life an unfalteriog devotion. ïïo could neyer speak of his j tirst wife without visible emotion. Grace Fletcher Webster was a persou of very delicate orgaoization, bothphysically and intellectually; y et she was energetic, and, when occapionrequired, she exhibited a rare fortitude. To her husband's welfare sho was entirely devoted, she presided over his houseïiold with jocnliar grace and dinity, and really seemed to livo for liim. When he was at home she souglit his comfort and picasure; when he was absent her thoughts, as her beautiful letters testify, wero of him day and Dight. Slie wrote to him aimost daily.