The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-24
Practical Joking among Actors.


The ha6ituES of the Tombs Police Court
presence Of the well-knoWn actors Edward
A. Sothern and William j. Florence, who
had been summoned by Justice Bowling for
alleged intent TO fight duel. 1t appears
that Philip Lee, the husband of Miss Neil
son, complained to Messrs. Sothern and
Florence abouta weelsago that he had found
New York very dull, and unlike London.
They rallied him upon his e1,nui, assured
him that lie would fluid life and enjoyment
OH the east side Of the city, and invited him
to attend q dinner party and meet several
"prominent residents" who, they said, were
DESTROYS Of forming his acquaintance. Mr..
lee accepted the invitation, and, few eve
nings later, accompanied them to an cast-stde
hotel, where Dan. Bryant, Neil Bryant,
Nelsc Seymour, Billy Blych, Charley BackuS,
and others, were introduced to him as
wealthy merchants, who had caused pri-
yate banquet to be prepared in his honor.
Upon the party's sitting down to the feast,
after an interchange of the most respectful
courteSicS, Neil Bryant tied his napkin about
his head and otherwise acted strangely. Mr..
Lee quietly asked IN explanation from the
others, and was contidentially informed that
the peculiar actions were the result of he.
redtary ecccntricitr. Other cccentriclties
following, however, both on the part Of MIR.
Bryant and his associates, Mr. Lee became
indignant. Mr.. Sothcrn, in behalf Of his
felIow-countrymen, protested against the
proceedings with assumed earnestness. Mr..
Florence, with apparent good faith, admon-
ished Mr. Sothern not to Interfere. Nelse
seymour, pretending to lie greatly incensed
against Mr.. Bryant, rushed upon him with
cirving-knie. Mr.. Bryant drew revolver,
and sham fight occurred between himself,
Dir, Seymour, and several others. Tie re-
suit not being deemed satisfactory, Messrs.
Sothcrn and Florence proposed to tight a
duel OF the spot, and Immediately drew pis-
tolls ostcliSihly for that purpose. Mr.. Lee
begged that no blood should be shed, and
| finally lett the room feeling deeply offended,
On the following day Mr.. Florence, it is
said, wrote challenges to mortal combat, in
Mr.. Lees name. to himself and Mr.. Sothern
| AS seunel to the bogus challenges it is I'm.
derstood that an effort was to have been
made by the challenged persons to have Mr.
Lee arrested. Mr.. Bryant, however, feeling
that Mr.. Lee ought not to be longer TITLED
with, determined to turn the tables upon
| Messrs. Sothcrn and Florence. He accord
|
Thursday that they intended to fight 4 duel
The Justice, instead Of issuing warrants fol-
arrest, simply signed summonses for the &C
cuscd actors toappear before him ut O'Clock
on the next morning. In obedience to the
mandates Mcssrs. Sothern and Florence ap.
peared at the Tombs yesterday morning ut
the hour named. Meanwhile the Justice haG
discovered the hoax. He therefore failed to
appear at court, and kept these two practical
iokers waiting several hours before he gave
| them permission TO depart.
The following is the challenge written in
Mr.. Lees name by F. renee:
| "AECADIAN CLUB, = UNION PLACE.
| "Wedl esday Evening.
"Mr. Z. 4. Sothern:
"Sir,-I ain not apt TO take offence, neither
DO seek cause!essly quarrel with any man
but when, time after time, am forced to the
conviction that am made the object of in
territorial slight and pointed insult, my goot
nature is staggered and forbearance ceases t
be Il virtue.
"When, on late occasion, you insisted
upon my eating Irish stew at O'Clock in tht
morning, and insisted also upon my drink
ing Eichy water to wash it down, my PROUD
spirit rebeled, but ] charitlbly forcbore t
meet the insult with the rebuke it deserved
because I considered your then condition
but when you undertook to tickle my lef
ear with an oyster-shell and surreptitiousl,
curled my hair with cold carrot, after hay
ing oiled the works of my watch with tomato
catsup and placed Il stone-cold clam in m.
evening gloves, felt that you intended t
insult my manhood and wound my honor
and l now seek that satisfaction which
trust YOU are too much OF a gentleman to re
fuse. ! shal! lie at home all day Tomorrow
OIL the apex OF Trinity spire, and shall avail
your answer with impotence.
"Should your sansuinary soul prompt
more speedy reply shall be in front Of th
house tonight during the last act Of the play
and if you drop your glove l shall recogniz
it rs gage, and you have only to acquaiu
me with the hour and the weapon. You
ohedient servant. G. Fl. LEE.
"N. b. do not object to cotton-hooks.