Famous funny fellows : $b Brief biographical sketches of American humoristsClemens, William Montgomery
History
Famous funny fellows : $b Brief biographical sketches of American humorists
Clemens, William Montgomery
American wit and humor -- History and criticism; Humorists, American -- Biography
In the latter part of 1872, in company with others, he began the
publication of the Cincinnati Saturday Night, a journal which now
enjoys a prosperous existence. He became the sole proprietor of the
paper in 1874, and was for some years assisted in his labors by his
wife, a lady of numerous scholarly attainments.
Griswold resides in a quiet, out-of-the-way street, just off the
busy thoroughfares of the Queen City of the West, and lives in a
retired, happy manner. During later years he has occasionally made a
lecture tour, delivering his famous lecture, Injun Meal, and others to
delighted audiences.
Artemus Ward and Griswold were the best of friends, and the “Fat
Contributor” tells many anecdotes of his experience in the world
alongside of Browne. Speaking of Artemus Ward, in a humorous way,
Griswold once said in a humorous article:
“When, in 1863, Ward conceived the idea of making a lecture tour
through California--a great undertaking in those days--he offered
me, to accompany him as agent, a salary that would cause the
insignificant pay of a Cleveland local to blush with shame. Not
knowing that lecturers, and especially humorists, have a way of
engaging every man as agent who professes a desire to travel, I made
all preparations to go, resigned my situation, and anxiously awaited
my summons.
As I waited, various articles were sold to pay expenses. I ate my
stove I remember, and I think I drank up my bureau. At length, when
nearly everything had gone, I believe that Ward had gone, too, taking
another agent. I was naturally incensed, and resolved that there would
be a severe settlement when next we met. I rehearsed the anticipated
scene frequently, and resolved how I would go to work and annihilate
him.
“Our meeting was in New York in July, 1864. I had heard of his return
from California, and prepared to empty the vials of wrath upon
his head. We accidentally ran against each other on Broadway. My
slumbering indignation flamed up at once. I thought of the cooking
stove I had devoured, and the various articles of household furniture
I drank up, and was about to go for him when Ward suddenly rushed
forward, and, grasping me warmly by the hand, exclaimed:
“‘Why, Gris., old boy, how are you? _When did you get back from
California?_’
“As I looked at him, speechless with amazement, he continued: ‘They
told me you came home around the “horn,” but I never knew you to go
around a horn yet--join me!’
“Now Ward had a very persuasive way of locking his arm in with
another’s, and in a momentary fit of weakness, I went along.
“‘Ward!’ said I sternly, ‘I owe you a licking on account of the
California agency business, but will put it off until we drink.’
“‘Put it off as long as you want to,’ replied Ward, in a tone of
generous accommodation, as though I was speaking about returning him a
loan. ‘If you owe me a licking, pay me when you get ready. I am in no
hurry. Don’t care if you never pay it.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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