The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-23
GEN. BUTLER EnrBARRAssED.
instances in Which He Was Forsaken by His
HabituaI SeIf-Possession.

OAbNdtA OeAA-E 0SS0SS1Ons
washington Letter,
The New York Sun published ON Saturday an
instance of the few occasions if not the ONLY
one, IN which Gen. Butler was ever embarrassed
~ was when, having gained a suit involving the
little property of widow she handed him the
deed to the property in payment for his services.
and the Massachusetts widow having done good
By stealty, blushed to find it known But there
y another instance on record where
Ge sa Butler displayed consider
able embarrassment, but under entirely
different circumstances When he assumed
command IN New Orleans, in the early part Of
the war, he began to look around, without any
embarrassment whatever for the most CONNIE
dlous mouse ne could find to appropriate to his
own use. He pitched upon the house of one
Burnside, one of the richest men of New Or.
leans, an lrishman, but who had never been
naturaiized. The great anti monopolist one day
appeared at Mr. Burnsides door demanded to
see the owner Of the establishments and CURLY
informed him that he, Gen Butler, would in
spect the house, and if it suited his high
mlghtlness, he would trouble the owner to get
out. Mr.. Burnside made no unpleasant remarks
as to HeneraA Buffers idea of neum and tuum
anc accompanied the poor mans friend, who was
clearly not the rich mans friend, through his
gorgeous mansion. Having satisfied himself that
1t was entirely too good for Mr. Burnside to oe-
tcupy, and just right for General BENJAMIN F.
Butler, the friend of the workingman Ioftily re-
marked thatif he liked the outside as we'll as the
render the property. Burnside replied that he
would like General Butler to take an ex
tended view of the outside Of the house.
and leading him to a good point of observation
he pointed to the British flag floating over the
premises. he mentioned that perhaps General
Butler knew the meaning of that and while rob-
ulng an American citizen of his home might not
count for much with General Butler, playing
highwayma1 with a British subject was risky
business. Mr.. Burnside IN telling the story. al
I renPeSnDfAd R5,tlo haino
sideraby embarrassed at tina turn of affairs
perhaps quite as much so as when the widow of
fered him fee for services rendered.
Yet another instance of General Butler being
greatly embarrassed is mentioned by we'll
known woman now living in Washington Dur
ing the war General Butler imprisoned her She
suffered great hardships, not the least of which
was the prison fare she was compelled to eat
As she had been delicately raised and was at the
time in particularly feeble health, she suffered
much from living ON coarse food One day Gen
eral Butler sent for her. As she entered his
room he went on writing without raising his
head or taking any notice of her whatever She
seated herself and, unabashed by the great
mans presence, glanced around and saw
delicious luncheon prepared for General
Butler on table near by. The sight
was too tempting for the half-stafved prisoner
She crept up behind him, took possession of the
luncheon, and with great enjoyment and perfect
self possession devo1red every erumb-she.
hardly left bone on the tray. Presently GEN
eral Butler turned around, and, without perceiv-
ing the havoc made in his luncheon, said gruf1y.
You see, madam, | have been very much en-
gagged"
70 which she replied gracionsly. pointing to
the empty plates and dishes:
And you see, General, that have been very
much engaged too!n
She sWears to this day that General Butler
looked embarrassed. He was like Sir LI1cius
O'Trigger. who could do a number of things
without minding them, but it always hurt his
conscience to be found out.