The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-10-30
Eccentric Connecticut Y'onkees.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.

One OF the most marked personages of
old Windham county was a certain Revo-
lutiouary peusioner, by the name Of Lincoln
-surnamed Jonas, believe. Living in
the adjoining town, he was yet we'll known
in Lebanon, where he frequently visited.
Indeed, he was one whom the war had so
unsettled that he was never at rest except
when tramping around and " stirring about"
de was harmless, good -natured. cider.
drinking, story telling old fellow, whom
everybody was glad to see, bored with, chat.
ted with, iaughed at, and pitied, for be was
alone in the world a sad condition, which
he, however took very philosophisally, con-
aoling himself BY sagely commenting on all
the ills which married men and heads of
families are heir to-
Though usually idle and vagabondsh in
his hsblts, he was man of wonderful en-
eIgy and perseverance, when once his spirit
wss up. On one occasion, when he had
extended rauible to the vicinity of Hart
| ford, he found himself at the ferry, opposite
the city, without shilling in his pocket.
tie proposed to the ferryman to allow him
! free passage, promising to pay on his ne xt
visit. But the Yankee Charon refused,
with clurlish, "No, mister, | don't take
you nor no other old tramp for nothin :.
so down with your rhino, or clear eout !'
WAL, theu," exclaimed the old soldier,
"you 90 to thunder with your old skeow
| won't be beholden to you, or anybody of
your sort for III just 90 reound yer darned
old riyer-see if don't" The ferrymun
laughed at what he took for an idle threat ;
but some weeks later he was accosted at the
city landing by the same red.cheeked,
rouehly.clad old soldier, who triumphantly
exclaimed: "Waal | haze been reound
your old river and here | am in spite OF
you, old skinfint." 1t proved that he had
actually performed the exploit Of following
the Connecticut river to its head-of going
around it, in tact-with no other incentive
than the desire to show himself Independent
OF the ierrynan.
On another occasion he applied for the
loan of scythe, at the house OF neighbor
who was bridge-buider "I'm rally sorry
Mr. Lincoln" said the wife of the mechanic
that can't accommodate ye 1ut my hus
band amt to hum, ye see, and he says tc
me, jest before he went away. Betsy, says
he, don't you lend nothln' of mine, to no
body. not on no account, while am gone
So, Mr.. Lincoln, ye see | cant let that
scythe GO, not even to yeou.'
why, whereabouts is your husband
marin ?"
"Oh, he's way deown in Pennsylvany
buildin' bridge"
"Waal, guess, if 20 deown to whert
he's to work, and get his consent, yell lenc
me that are scythe"
" Sartain, Mr.. Lincoln. But, man alive
what on airth du ye mean? | tell ye he
way deown in 'Pennsylvany."
The old soldier laughed in his droll
knowing way; then questioned her as to tn,
exact locality Of her husbands bridge bull
ding operations, and took his leave.
That very afternoon he departed on on
of his "grand towers" with only chang
of linen, tied in blue checked handker
chief, hanging fiom stick over his shoul
der, and whisting cheerily as he left tn
duh old town behind him.
About ten days or a fortnight later h
appeared before the astonshcd mechanic
excaiming':' "Hullo Billins, will 20,
lend ME your scythe for SPELL That ar
wife OF yourn won't let it 20 without yol
say so. Got her pretty we'll under you
thumb, hain't ye? Or, mebbe she's afear
to cut friendship tween her and me b,
lendin' an edged tool"
Ten days later Mistress Billings was as
tonished to see her eccentric neighbor ap
pear. all dusty and travel.worn, at her dcor
and to hear him say quietly; ayes, mi
am, your man says l may take that ar
scythe and it's high time that little med
der of nine was moved"