Connecticut western news., 1875-10-08
CHANCELLOR KENYS PREDICA-
 E.. .a'. - MENT.
How . Backw0odsman Caught Him In an '" EQuiyocal Situation.


 ..g:. ,a'. MENT.
 How . Backwoodsman Caught Him In an '" Eauiyocal Situation.
 l.. B. Proctor, author of "The Bench and Bar," contributes to the Buffalo Courier an amusing incident in the his tory of the great iurist. a..0
 Early in June, 1915, Chancellor Kent and his wife, in 8 private carriage, left their home in the city of New York on a tour to the "County of Genesee," as western New York was then called. At that time, though the distance did not exceed three hundred and seventy miles, the journey was more toilsome, protract- ed, and dangerous than trip from New York to Oregon now is. On the fifth day out the couple lost their way, and night coming on, believed themselves doomed to spend it in the open forest exposed to all it's horrors and dangers. But just as Kent brought his horses to a halt, light suddenly gleamed out of the interstices between the trees, short distance ahead. Pushing onward once moro, they found themselves in few moments in front of comfortable log house standing near the roadside.
 A woman, apparently thirty years of age, with a lighted candle in her hands, comes to the door.
 "My good woman, myself and my wife, the lady in the carriage with me, are travelling on our way to Oanandaigua, but we have lost the way; the night is upon us, and we can go no further. Can you give us shelter for the night, some supper, and something for our horses 2' asked Kent. '' ,.# +
 "We are poor folks" said the woman, "and I'm alone. My man is chopping over in the Billings settlement, three miles off, and he won't be home in an hour. You are strangers and I don't but you look like respectable people, you something to eat if it ain't quite so good, and I'll fodder your horses, too Your woman there had better get out and come in, while I put the horses in the stable"
 Mrs. Kent obeyed. The horses were Unharnessed, led to the stable and fed. In short time the woman prepared a homely but acceptable supper for her guests. When the meal was finished she said
 "I s'pose you're tired and want to go to bed. That's our bed in the corner there, but you can sleep in it tonight. l and my man can sleep overhead. I'll jest set his supper on the table; when he comes in he'll eat it i; but he won't disturb you. Then he'll come up to bed where am. '
 So saying, she placed her mans even ing repast on the table, lit another can- dle, then assembled ladder leading to a sort of scuttle hole, through which she crawled. In few moments she was in bed lost in sleep.
 The travellers also retired to rest. "Tired nature" hurried them swiftly on to the land of dreams. Suddenly the chancellor started up, exclaining:
 Bessie, that outside door is not fas- tened. Presently the man of the house will return, and seeing me here in bed with you, he will, of course, think you are his wife, and, Bessie, he won't relish that. Being wood chopper, he will have his ax with him, apd before I can explain matters, the chancellor of this State will stand pretty good chance to be chopped to pieces-not a pleasant thing to think of, Bessie! !''
 It is 8 bad matter. While he is chopping you up. he may include me in the exercise. What can you do 2" said Mrs Kent.
 tell you, Bessie, what I'll do. I'll push that table against the door. When the man comes, it will take him some time to remove it. While he is doing SC l can explain matters to him." said the chancellor.
 Accordingly he arose, took hold of the table to push it against the door. While in the act he heard heavy footsteps ap- preaching the next instant Q man of gi- gantio size, in his shirt sleeves, wearing bear-skin cap on his head, pushed the door open and entered the room. The first object that greeted his sight was the chancellor, with no clothing on him but his shirt. Glancing at the bed, he saw, as he supposed, his wife there, and the situation became painfully apparent to him. Furious with jealousy, he ex. claimed: at. .N -.
 Who are you, in my house, in your shirt-tail, this time of nigEt9 I've caught you, whoever you are"
 e It is all right" my good sir," said Kent, trying to explain matters. It's all right, "- .4. :. All IlSAb All I1Bub tAuHu0Tou the man. 1T sec didn't expect me home. Thought you'd fasten me out when did come-was going to have things all your own way here, hey? but ] caught you-happened around at the nick of time."
 :" Pray let me explain, sir," said the chancellor. "Myself and my wife there "-
 "Your wifel Your wife! Good heavensl what a bold cuss you are. ] know who you are now. You're Sam Fickner, that used to court my wife, as heard tell. Now, Flickner, what have you got to say for yoorself, you cuss 2"
 "My name is ssnot Flickner. It is James Kent. I am the chancellor of the State of New York. That is my wife Bessie, that is in the bed there. Your wife is up stairs all right. There is you, supper on the table. Eat it, for gracious sake!'' cried Kent in hurried manner. "Chancellor of the State of New York, hey7 What is the chancellor oi the State doing in my house this time of