The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-18
THE GRIFFIN-SMITH ROW.
An Unpleasantness that Resulted In a
Duel and Such.

The difficulty which occurred in Man.
ager Nunez's private Office between DIR.
Hamilton Griffin, step-father and man
ager of Mary Anderson, and Mr.. Smith,
of the Tourists" has been heretofore
mentioned, but it remains for the Dra-
matte News to tell the whole story. The
source of its information is given as
Mr.. Lawrence, of the Mary Anderson
Company, who occupied comfortable
place under the lounge.
Mr.. Smith, who was Brigadier Gen
eral of Virginia militia, called Colonel
Hamilton Griffin, NJ D., clearly and dis
tinctly, "a confounded old Carolina
cracker"
Now, what mysterious venom turks in
that apparently harmless phrase, nobody
seems to know. But, says Mr.. Lawrence,
the countenance of Colonel Griffin, M.
D., darkened until itgrew terrible to look
upon.
"By CAD, sahw he beloved. "You,
sab, wretched, low-lived Richmond
mudsill, by the name of Smith, sab, cast
such reflection, sab, on linI descend
ant of a Welsh king, sab Damn you, sab!
I've good mind to operate on you--
with my lancet, sab! Yes, sab! Right hyar,
sab! By CAD, sahl''
No one pretends to account for the
reckless hercism of Mr.. Smith, who at
once made rush, after the manner of a
he-goat, headforemost, into the capacious
abdomen of the gallant doctor. As both
went to earth, metaphorically speaking,
Col. Griffin, MD, made desperate ef-
fort to save himself, and, we feel sure,
without the least intention to be so rude,
blackened Mr.. Smiths eye in most ter
rible manner.
A dead silence followed. 1t was bad
enough that Colonel Hamilton Griffin,
M. D., should have brought blood from
Mr.. Smiths nose, even though it was a
mere accident; but to give Southern
person of Mr.. Smiths notoriously desper-
ate character a black eye, is really
almost as grave matter as to hint that
Colonel Griffin, M. D., doesn't know a
blister from a bistoury.
Major Nunez fortunately is an expert
when you come down to duels and chal-
lenges, and the code, and all that sort of
thing.
"Gentlemen!" he said, "this affair
must end elsewhere! Mr.. Smith has been
insultedw
"No! nor' said Mr.. Smith (who is a
true Christian at hearty.
"No! now cried Colonel Hamilton
Griffin (who is really that gentle he
wouldn't hurt fly.
"Yes!" persisted Major Nunez. "Mr
Smith has been insulted in my presence
in the presenceof my treasurer. Colonel
Griffin, MD, may not have considered
the dreadful consequences of his impetu
osity. But there is no earthly way out
of it. Mr.. Smith has been insulted-
grossly insulted-by Colonel Griffin
MD, and if he doesn't resent it, by
George, willw
Mr.. Smiths face noticeably frightened
while that of Colonel Griffin, Md, fell.
T think" said Mr.. Smith, as he care
fully adjusted the top of an inkstand tc
his eye, ''it would be a good deal better
"a good deal more gentlemanly for you
to take the matter in hand, Major Nunez
Colonel Griffin, M. d., has insulted, not
myself, but you, the lessee of this beauti
full theatre. He was struck blow here
in your Office, in your very presence, ut
terly unmindful Of the dictates of ordi
nary courtesy. / consider that you have
prior right to an explanation from him
and, like a true gentleman, beg tc
waive any claim | may have upon him
for satisfaction, in your favor"
"I really didn't intend to blacken Mr.
tSmith's eye" said Colonel Hamilton
Griffin, MD, almost tearfully. "Noth
ing was further from my thoughts, gen
tlemen. Besides, what is black eye but
mild case of supraorbital .ecchymosis
The concussion aud confusion have
simply brought about a state of stagna
nation of the superficial circulation il
Lne caplllafy Dloou-FesselS. ACClueHta
contact with bed, lamp-post, an oper
door, has been known to produce precise
Iy similar results. Yet / feel sure tha
no gentleman in his senses would insist
that the lamp post, the bed or the dool
ought to give satisfaction to the patient
"I heartily agree with my friend, Colo
mel Griffin, M. d." said Mr.. Smith, "anc
can not see that there need be the least
trouble about this matter. have ex
planned everything satisfactorily to Colo
mel Griffin, M. d., and Colonel Griffin
M. D., has apologized to me in the hand
somest possible manner. If any body il
discontented with the arrangement lie
him take it up"
"Unless you demand immediate salts
faction of Colonel Griffin, M. d., | shall
pull your nose, sir!' roared Major Nunez
Mr.. Smith at once intrenched himsel
behind desk.
"And you, sir" shouted Major Nune,
to Colonel Griffin, M. D., sunless yol
consent to meet Mr.. Smith like gentle
man, l shall kick you down stairs ant
half way across the street,"
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