Jenks's Portland Gazette

Miscellaneous.

Communicated for Jenks' Portland Gazette.

ANECDOTE

Of Mr. Huntington, late Governor of Connecticut.

In that part of Windham called Scotland, Mr. Huntington was born and educated. In the same place lived Capt. J. K., a respectable farmer, possessed of strong natural powers of mind, and original wit, decently improved by education. When Mr. Huntington was a boy, Capt. K. was very popular with his townmen, and often filled the highest offices in their gift. Honest, industrious, sensible and witty, his company was courted, and he was generally respected by his acquaintance.

It happened, however, that a series of misfortunes overtook him, which prudence could neither foresee nor prevent. To extricate himself he was obliged to dispose of his property in Scotland. After discharging the demands which he voluntarily obliged himself to pay, he removed to a neighboring town, and being unable to purchase, rented a farm.

As public employment was what he never coveted, he cheerfully and contentedly devoted himself to farming, making himself agreeable to his neighbors, without wishing to extend his acquaintance. In this rural and obscure retreat Capt. K. spent the remainder of his days.

Mr. Huntington, bred to the law, removed from Scotland and commenced business at Norwich. His distinguished merit soon brought him into public life--he rapidly passed through the various grades of office to the Presidency of Congress, and after this was chosen Governor of the state of Connecticut, and was annually elected to that office till his death.*

After Mr. Huntington became Governor he had leisure to attend to his friends, which for some years before, and through the whole of the American war, he seldom could enjoy. While a youth he was taught to look up with respect to Capt. K., whom he saw in affluent circumstances, and honored and respected by his townmen. Many years had passed since he had seen him, and greatly were their situations and circumstances altered. He determined however to look up his ancient friend and make him a visit in his retreat. With this intent he took a horse, and, unattended by a single servant, rode nearly twenty miles, called upon a respectable clergyman and communicated his intention, of whom he learnt that Capt. K. lived about six miles distant. In the morning, accompanied by the clergyman, he rode to Capt. K's. house and found nobody within but the good old lady his wife. The clergyman, in a manner which he judged would least discompose, told her that his companion was Governor Huntington, and desired her to send for Capt. K. who was in the field. Having seated her guests in a room, which, tho' void of ornament, bore every mark of neatness, she collected the Capt's. best suit, and went hastily to call him, told him what guests they had, desiring him to dress with all expedition and come to the house.

Yes, yes, said the Capt. do you go in and give them a mug of cider, and I will come directly. Capt. K. was not easily disturbed; instead of putting on his best clothes, he took the bundle under his arm, and in his frock and trowsers, deliberately walked to the house. He addressed himself to his guests in a manner which made them agreeable, convincing them that he felt pleased with the visit.

"My wife and I," said he, "are old folks and unacquainted with modern politeness. You will find nothing about us," addressing the Governor, "but rusticity, simplicity and honesty; I believe we have been able to preserve the latter, thro' every scene we have passed, since you were familiar at our house." The Governor conversed in the most familiar manner, dined and spent the greatest part of the day with Capt. K. The clothes which the old lady carried into the field to her husband, he brought in under his arm, and, after an introduction to his guests, remarked, "Governor, your unexpected visit has a little ruffled my wife, who is not much acquainted with great folks; here are my Sabbath day clothes, which she intreated me to put on before I came to the house: but I should have appeared a just object of ridicule, had I gone from the field, where I was laboring, in my best habit. The Governor of Connecticut expects to find husbandmen in frocks and trowsers. A pleasing incident has released me from the labors of the field to day, and after I have smoked my pipe, I will dress for the occasion."

Various topics were the theme of conversation, which was in general sprightly, and occasionally interspersed with the Captain's native wit. "I can remember," said Capt. K. "when my company was courted and myself respected beyond my merit: my neighbors meant to honor me by choosing me Captain; they sent me to the General Assembly, and I was almost wholly employed in public business: but I long since met with a heavy reverse of fortune--my friends pitied, but could not relieve me. Sammy Huntington, whom I loved when a boy, is now Governor--and Capt. K., whom he then honored and respected, is now a humble tenant. While others, who were, perhaps, under obligation to have remembered, have long since ceased to employ a thought about me, I feel myself overpaid in the unexpected, unsolicited honor, I have this day received from my old friend, who was under no obligation to me. I have long since bid adieu to the world, and I will now balance my account against it on the score of gratitude."

The Governor afterwards remarked, that this was one of the most pleasant visits he ever made; that Capt. K. appeared the same agreeable companion in indigence, that he did in affluence; that his disposition, naturally amiable, was not soured by misfortune: and that this visit afforded him the most instructive and useful reflections.

It is worthy of remark, that the state of Connecticut, whose constitution of government is the most democratic of any in the Union, have uniformly re-elected, by annual election, their Governors till they were unable to sustain the office, by infirmity or death; or have voluntarily resigned it.