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108 TRIAL 01" JOHN W. WEESTER.
P. M., and I paid him $483;" and, (I think he said,) "some odd cents." I
asked him, "If he was perfectly certain about the hour?"-to which he
answered, "I am quite certain; 1 finished my lecture at one o'clock and
I waited twenty or thirty minutes, or so, for your brother." I then asked
him, "If he had a bundle of papers in his hand?" as some person, who
saw him at quarter-past one o'clock said that they saw him with papers
in his hands. To this, he replied, "He had papers; and he took out one,
and dashed his pen through it, so," (making a motion with his hand, as
if to imitate a sudden and rapid dash.)
He evidently meant to represent the act, as one of suddenness, and
violence.
Dr. Webster then went on to say, in relation to the mortgage, "I
told Dr. Parkman, that he hadn't discharged the mortgage." To which
he replied, "I will see to that; I will see to that." Dr. Webster said, that
my brother went out very rapidly, from the room in the College, where
the interview took place. I then asked him, if he knew, whether my
brother actually went to Cambridge. He said, that he could not tell, but
that he intended to go, himself, and ascertain. I followed him to the
front door, as he went out, and he repeated the declaration of his inten-
tion to go to Cambridge.
I think, I have a distinct recollection of the conversation. I am
confident, about the statement, of dashing a pen through one paper,
as Dr. Webster raised his hand to indicate the motion made by my
brother in the act. Dr. Webster's manner, I could not but observe, was
hasty,-nervous. He commenced speaking in a business-manner,
immediately upon entering the room. I could not but remark, that
there was no expression of surprise at the mysterious disappearance,
and no expression of sympathy with our distress. I should describe it,
as a business visit. In regard to the suddenness and quickness of man-
ner, I have observed the same, before. Rapidity of motion has charac-
torized him, and it has been observed by all who knew him. There was
a certain flurry of manner, however, that I had not observed before; not
so great, though, as to. deeply impress me. What particularly struck
me, was the absence of that subdued expression, or tone of sympathy,
in which it is natural for those approaching persons in afiction, to
speak.
I recollect nothing more, than the plain business-errand, that I have
detailed. I should be perfectly safe, in saying, that Dr. Webster was not
there more than ten or fifteen minutes. I cannot distinctly answer,
whether he wore an overcoat; but my impression, is, that he did not. I
stood on the steps, when he left. My impression is, that he went down
Green street, towards the College: I cannot say precisely, however.
My brother's domestic habits, were most remarkable. He was among
the most punctual of mankind, in all his ways. He was almost always
at home, seldom, or never, went out of town, and was almost invariably
at his regular meals. If likely to be detained from home, unexpectedly,
or beyond his appointments, he would take pains to send, and notify his
family of it; even for very short absences.
He has left a wife, a son, and a daughter. His daughter, has been a
great invalid and was one, for whom he was perpetually anxious. His
son was in Europe, when he disappeared, bust has lately returned. I
believe I may say, with confidence, that I never knew my brother to use
profane language. When he was moved, (though he was not an irrita-
ble man,) he would use strong language; but never, on any occasion, do
I recollect of hearing him utter a profane word.
Cross-examined, by Air. Sohier.-Two gentlemen called at my house,
to say, that they saw my brother, at quarter-past one, P. M., on Friday.
Their names were, Fessenden, and Holmes.
Dr. Webster did not say, what paper, Dr, Parkman took, and dashed
his pen through. I was sorry, that I had not asked him.
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