Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-10-17
headIiner OF The GriSwOId- Smith
Breach Of Promise Suit.
She Called Him "Russie" and
He Called Her His Lamb"
Now GrlswoId Wants $4,000 for
Liberation Of Heart Strings.

New York, Oct IA batch of the
"Russie- Lamb love letters were read
into the supreme court records today
with the calling of the $50.000 breach
OF promise suit brought by Russell A.
GrisNold of Rowayton. Conn.,, against
Miss Helen Woodruff Smith of SIAM
ford, Conn. Griswold received the let
ters and he alleges that Miss Smith
wrote them. Miss Smith is the wealthy
divorced wife of TX Mayor Homer
cummins of Stamford, and daughter
ON a one-t time president Of the New
York Stock Exchange. Griswold is 2S
years old, the defendant 10.
Griswold consumed the greater part
Of the day giving his story to the jury
In outlining the case, his lawyers said
that it was case wherein u young
man loved to distraction a woman who
had promised to marry him and who
broke her promise and thus nearly
wrecked his life. For nine years, coun-
sci said GrisWold's heart had been on
fire with love for the defendant. The
defence outlined a general denial that
there had been a promise of marriage.
Griswold was nervous. He told his
story to II running fire of smiles by
the jury and filters by the defendant
Miss Smiths merriment vanished
however, toward the end of the ses-
sion.
On the stand Grlswold said that he
had met Miss Smith in 1901. when he
was u High school boy. lie spoke of
love to her. he said, after her divorce
she said to me-" said Griswold,
'Russie. do you love me" and | said:
Sure do, honey, and l want to marry
YOU oh, Russie. she said. Do you
really love me that much2 l said
that / did and she said: As soon as
father dies we will get married, Rus
Sic
She gave him a diamond ring on
Christmas, 1909, and told him to con-
slider it a token of their engagement,
Griswold continued. Besides, she sent
him many little engagement presents"
after that-diamond pins. u pearl, a
pin, ties and hosiery, When he was
i'll che visited him and wrote him let
ters, but when he got we'll and went
to call he found that she was enter
tanning William Harper.
Il told Helen that I couldn't stand
for that" Griswold said. and she told
me she would invite whom she pleased.
A few days later / told her tho same
thing and she said she wouldn't stand
for the nagging She wanted her let
tiers back, but I wouldn't consent TO
let her have them. | upbraided her
again about Mr.. Harper, telling her
once more that 1 wouldn't stand for 1t
as we were going to be married
why. Russie,' she said. never loved
YOU. For Heavens sake, have you taken
what said seriously
What has the past 10 years meant to
your I asked her
why, you foolish boy. she answered,
that was only pastime,
sThen I became very indignant and
started away. She ran after me, crying.
'Russie Russie, come back, you know |
love you dearly but did not stop. She
went back into the house and appeared at
the door a moment later with broken
vase
Cant we fix our love like this vase
could be fxed?' she asked.
''But / was too angry for anything.
was so angry that | just went home.
Amid giggles from jurymen, spectators
and the defendant, Griswold's lawyer
read extracts from the so-called "Russie'
Lamb" letters. Miss Smith made notes
as the proceeding proceeded. Some OF the
rnissives were addressed to "Sigfrled'
and We're signed "Brunhilde." Griswolt
explained that Miss Smith selected thest
names for him and herself from Wag
ner's opera Others were addressed tt
"Ruzzie."
One letter closed with and I remain
ON, and on. and on, and on your love
Helen''
Another was signed &c. *"
What does that mean?' asked the
lawyer.
THAT means kiss my eyes or eye-kiss,'
answered Griswold.
Helen would say Ruzzie and his little
eyes for we had secret code by which
we would kiss each other through thu
mails. And when we met if a third persol
were along we would tell each other how
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