New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1882-12-27
Ben Buffers Bridge.
How Massachusetts New Governor llade
Most Narrow Escape Of ais Idfs

How MASSACHUSETTS, New Governor lGads the
Most Narrow .Ese.ps Of His Lie.
The recent triumph Of Ben Butler and
the clever devices with which he neu-
tralized the effects Of the ..splits'' In his
own ranks, says Derrick Dodd in the
San Francisco Post, recalls an incident
Of the Generals early career. and which
- interesting as showing that even in
his youth Ben displayed those strategic
abilities which have since done so much
for his military and political career.
1t appears that young Butler was
much enamored of 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 9 coquette, however, and
kept quite large train of admirers in
suspense, each rival doing his best to
gain the advantage Of the others. AT
last matters were brought to q climax,
and the damsel appointed certain
night when she would render her final
decision as TO which sutton she pre
ferred.
It goes without saying that thew
were all better looking than Ben. but
the latter determined to put the inside
Of his head against the outside Of those
Of his opponents The nearest way to
the fair firt's house, and the one taken
BY all her eager followers, was over 4
bridge formed by single and some-
what slippery log placed across deep
brook In the rear Of the house. Young
Butler repaired to this bridge an hour
earlier than the accustomed ''courtin'
time" carrying pail Of lard with
which he carefully amounted the log by
the mellow moonlight, backing himself
across it astraddle.
As be afterwards sat with his sweet
heart. waiting for the other suitors to
appear, . loud splash came from the d.
rection OF the brook. Ben's game eve
twinkled, and in imagination he could
see one of his gorgeously gotten up fell
low candidates climbing up the oppo-
site bank with his teeth chatterinp and
heading for home across lots, but the
conspirator looked as innocent as 4 cat
in the dairy and said nothing.
Pretty soon there came another sousa.
and after awhile another. The beauty
began to look at the clock and show ev-
licences of decided pique at the nepli-
gence Of her other admirers circum-
stance Ben did not fail to turn to his
own profit.
Presently he could family hear voices
in the distance, and he knew that the
last two SWANS were approaching to.
gether. Pretty soon came tremen-
d0us double splash.
':Dear me-" said the young lady,
chow the fish are jumping to-night!'
The upshot Of it was that when the
future governor rose to 20 the sighted
beauty gave him her hand. Sealing
the bargain with an old-fashioned husk.
ing bee kiss, Butler left his prize in such
q state of exultation that be forgot all
about the creased 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 six miles to
home, uttering Kearneyisms unfit for
publication. He was taken with chills
and fever as result, aud, when he got
well, found his fiancee had eloped with
q hired man. Butler. tells this as the
narrowest escape Of his life, as he SAYS
the girl began eating onions the very
next day after she became engaged
The General has been lucky ever
since.