The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-04-24
A GENTLE HuMoRIST.
Some Stories OF the Late A. Miner
crIswoId, "The Fat Contributor"
Correspondence Of the Press.l


crIswoId, "The Fat Contributor"
Correspondence Of the Press.l
New YORK, April = 15.-"The World
erects no monuments to funny men,"
It was saying of Tom Corwin, and the
latest humorist to leave us, A. Miner
Griswold, was fond of quoting the re-
mark in his serious moods. He had these
moods, for his huinor, like all that rings
true, was ever on the border of strict
truth. Even the caricaturist to sue
coed must keep close to nature, and my
dear friend Griswold was no caricatur-
list. He was rather the gentle, great
hearted, kindly philosopher, who won
our laughter by pointing out the in
herent eccentffcities of things than
the cynic who exaggerates them.
"Miner" or 'Gris," as we used to love
to call him, was a great man. Not great
according to the standard by which the
world metes out its clumsy approval,
but inherently great in that he had mas
tered philosophy that was sufficient to
him, and was complete exponent of it.
Generous beyond bounds, he was forever
doing good, and satisfying himself COM
pletely with the consciousness of having
done it, looking for nothing more. Low
ing by nature, he went at times even to
excess in the good fellowship that too
often became conviviality. Clear head
ed, he controlled himself with strength
of will that kept him within bounds
not the bounds of conventionality, but
those of his own good sense.
This man, who was a cherished friend
of a great many of the most distinguished
men of the last thirty years, was born in
obscurity, and ran away from home
when only dozen years or so of age to
| go to work on canal boat. To tell the
story of his life would be like turning a
kaleidoscope, for there was nothing like
consecutiveness in it, and the variety of
his experiences was bewildering. A
somber tragedy in his life made of him
broken hearted man in the prime Of
life, and it was only after years of suffer
ing that he found peace and happiness in
his second marriage.
With the exception of that episode
his history was merely succession Of
careless adventures full of merriment.
Something of the way he regarded the
serious matters of life is shown by what
he said to Charley Stow when that gifted
genius met him in Cincinnati. "What
are you doing here?" asked Stow. "Came
on a collecting tour" said Griswold.
"What luck?" Capital Most success
full trip l ever made of the kind. Been
here three days Collected a hundred
and fifty dollars. Telegraphed to my
wife for fifty to get home with, and just
got that"
In his early days he was always likely
to be "broke," though he made grea
sums by lecturing when ''The Fat Con
tributor" was at the zenith of his fame
He used to tell with great glee of on,
morning in Cleveland when he and q
boon companion found themselves penni
less and breakfastless, with no credit
even for a cocktail. They stood on the
corner in a quandary, when suddenly
Artemus Ward, warm friend of botl
of them, came along. Browne (Artemul
Ward) was then very flush of money, a.
they both knew, and they hailed hin
joyously. He stopped and chatted pleas
antly for few minutes, paying no at
tention to their evident distress, and a
length Griswold told him plainly tina
they were both "busted" and hungry.
"Ohr' said Browne, talking very fas
and giving them no chance to interrupt
"Pm very sorry. Now I'll tell you wha
you must do. Go to work right away
Start newspaper. You must be sure Il
make it light and breezy in character
Beware of dullness. Don't attempt Il
be too serious. Make it breezy. Max
it breezy. Good morning" And h,
walked off rapidly, leaving his friend
almost stupefied.
1t was rather more cruel than Artemu
Wards jokes were apt to be, and Girls
void would have been incapable of it
though he never got over his apprecia
ton of the fun in it. He was fond o
practical jokes, but never at any on
else's expense. He always made himsel
the butt. For instance, he used to tel
with great glee how he got himself al
rested five times in one evening by diff
ferent policemen for the sake of being
taken to a station house where tn
captain was a personal friend, and woul
not LICK him up as the charge was moth
ing more serious than singing in tn
street. "Of course" he said, 81 coul
not sing, but felt as though I woul,
like to, and | tried. The policema
could not be blamed"
Griswold was an inveterate punstel
but this was excusable ON the groun
that some Of his puns were witty. Il
was in Detroit at the time of the Fenia
invasion of Canada, and crossed the rive
, to Windsor and entered a barroon
, where in spirit of pure fun he began
sing a Fenian song. 1t was dangerou
fun, for stalwart stranger, full of Car
adam patriotism, suddenly presented
revolver at his head and exclaime
sternly, "You can't sing that song
Windsor" Quick as a flash Griswol
replied, 4" couldn't sing it if was oil
| of wind, sorrv'
He and ArteInus Ward in Clevelan
played characteristic prank on teacl
er of elocution who had just come to Il
city to settle. They called at a. L
and rang his bell. He came to the dot
,. in his nightshirt, and they pushed the
way in and told him they came to inte
view him. The professor, though d
lighted at the chance of a notice, protes
ed that it was very late. "Oh, we dor
mind that, said Griswold; 1--WE are ust
to nightwork." And Browne sal
"You are an elocutionist" "Yes
/ "Well. then. elocute." And before Il
bewildered man knew what he W
9 about he was on chair in his scan
costume spouting heroic verse. Thu
a they went off and wrote him some fir
i class notices.
Such stories show only one side of th
true gentleman and kindly fellow, b
to one who loves the laughter of Ii
they may indicate the gentle charact
of him "who was without guile"
d. A. G.
= a story Is told of Canon Creight'
| d,,.;,,o. he racidanca in Worcester %