Connecticut western news., 1882-12-06
BEN BUTLER'S BRIDGE,
An Instance of His Rare Good Luck.

The just achieved triumph of Ben But Ter and the clever devices with which he neutralized the effects of the "splits " ill his own ranks, says a western paper, re- calls an incident in the generals early ca reer, and which is interesting as showing that even in youth Ben displayed those strategic abilities which have done so much for his military and political ca- reer.
 It appears that young Butler was much enamored of q pretty girl who lived on a farm about six miles from that of the Butler family in the western part of Massachusetts. The country beauty was coquette, however, and kept quite a large train of admirers in suspense, each rival doing his best to gain the advan- tage of the others. At last matters were brought to final climax, and the damsel appointed certain night when she would render her final decision as to which suit or she preferred.
 It goes without saying that they were all better looking than Ben, but the lat ter determined to put the inside of his head against the outside of his oppon- ents. The nearest way to the fair fiirt' s house, and the nearest one taken by all her eager followers, was over a bridge formed by single and somewhat slip pery log placed across @ deep brook in the rear of the house. Young Butler re- paired to this bridge an hour earlier than the accustomed "courtin' time," carrying 8 pale of lard with which he carefully annointed the log by the mellow moon light, backing himself across it astraddle.
 AS he afterward sat with his sweet heart, waiting for the other suitors to appear, loud splash came from the di- rection of the brook. Bens game eye twinlzled, and in imagination he could see one of his gorgeously gotten up fel- low candidates climbing up the opposite bank with his teeth chattering and head ing for home across lots, but the con- spirator looked innocent as a cat in the dairy and said nothing.
 Pretty soon there came another souse, and after awhile another. The beauty began to look at the clock and show evi- dences of decided pique at the neeli- 1 gence of her other admirers-a circum- stance Ben did not fail to turn to his own profit.
 Presently he could faint1y hear voices in the distance, and he knew that the last two swains were approaching to- gether. Pretty soon came tremendous double splash.
 "Dear me-" said the young lady. how the fish are jumping tonight" Z"
 The upshot of it was, that when the future governor rose to go, the sighted beauty gave him her hand Scaling the bargain with an old-fashioncd husking- bee kiss, Butler left his prize iu such a state of exultation, that he forgot all about the greased log, and the first thing he knew both heels hit him in the back of his head, and he took header down below, just as his victims had done. He climbed up the already we'll clawed bank, and made t six miles to home, uttering Kearneyisms unfit for publication.
 He was taken with chills and fever as result, and when he got we'll, found his faacee had eloped with Q hired man. Butler tells this as the narrowest escape of his life, as he says the girl began eat ing onions the very next day after she became engaged. The general has been lucky ever since.