The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-01-21
MisreNanepus.
CHANCELLOR KENTS SPREDICA.
MENT.
HOW A BACKwOODSMAN CAUGHT HIM IN
AN EQUIvOCAL SITUATION.

HOW BACKwOODSMAN CAUGHT HIM IN
AN EQUIvOCAL SITUATION.
l.. b. Proctor, author of 1.-The Bench
and Bar" contributes to the Buffalo
Courier an amusing incident in the his
tory of the great jurist.
Early in June, 1915, Chancellor Kent
and his wife, in a private carriage, left
their home in the city of New York on a
tour to the Country of Genessee," as
Western New York was then called. At
that time, though the distance did not
exceed $40 miles, the journey was more
toilsome, protracted, and dangerous than
a 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 its horrors
and dangers. But just as Kent brought
his horses to a halt light suddenly
cleaned out of the interstices between
the trees, short distance ahead. Push
ing onward once more, they found
themselves in few moments in front of
a comfortable log house situated near
the road side.
A woman apparently 80 years of age
with lighted candle in her hand came
to the door,
''My good woman, myself and my wife
the lady in the carriage with me, are
journeying on our way to Canandaigua,
but We have lost our way; night is upon
us and we can 60 no furthher. Can you
give us shelter for the night, some sup.
per, and something for our horses"
asked Kent.
"We are poor folks" said the woman,
''and 1 am alone, my man is chopping
wood over in the Billings settlement,
three miles off, and won't be home in
an hour. You are strangers, and don't
but you look like respectable people,
and guess you can stay here; I'll give
you something to eat, if it amt quite so
good, and I'll fodder your horses, too.
Your woman there had better get out
and come in, while put tie horses in
the stable"
Mrs. Kent obeyed The horses were
embarrassed, 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:
81 s'pose you're tired and want to go
to bed. That's our bed in the corner,
but you can sleep in it tonight. and
my man can sleep overhead. I'll Jest
set this supper on the table; when he
comes in, he'll eat it, but won't disturb
you. Then he'll come up to bed where
lam"
So saying she placed her mans even
ing repast ON the table, lit another can
die, then assembled ladder leading to
a sort of senttle-hole, through which she
orawled. In few moments she was lost
in sleep.
The travellers also retired to rest.
Tired nature hurried them swiftly on to
the land of dreams. Suddenly the chan
cellor started up, exclaiming:
''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 a wood-chopper, he will have his
ak with him, and before | eau explain
matters the chancellor of this State will
stand pretty good chance to he chop
Fed to pieces-not a pleasant thing to
think of, Bessie"
SIT is a bad matter. While lie is
ehOpping you up he may include me in
the exercise. What can you do" said
Mrs. Kent.
81 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 be is doing so
l can explain matters to him, g" said the
chancellor.
Accordingly lie 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 a man of
gigantic 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. GlanciRg at the bed he saw,
as he supposed his wife there, and the
situation became painful apparent to
him. Furious with jealousy lie ex-
claimed:
''Who the devil are you, in my house
in your shirt this time of nighti Damn
you! I've caught you, whoever you are,"
ITS all right, my good sir, said Kent
trying to explain matters, It's all right,
| am"
s,AIl right! alright! You be darned,"
thundered the man. II see-didn't ex-
pect me home. Tnougnt 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,
''f.Iay, let me explain, sir, said the
chancellor. "Mysel If apd my wife there
i.Your wife! Your wife. Good heav-
ems! whAt bold cuss you are. know
who you are now. YOU'RE Sam Flick
niger. that used to court my wife, as
heard tell. Nov, Fiickner, what have
you got to say for yoarself, you cusss7
my name "a not Eaiokner. Its James
Kent. ON chancellor of the State of
New York. That is my wife Bessie,
that Is in the bed there. Your wife is
upstairs all right. There is your supper
for yoa on the table. Eat it. for gra-