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Show A ROW IN THE IIIKSS. The story is simply this: Not long since (give the New York Ledger to understand that this little romance is copyrighted) tho discomfited judge Dent and the genial general Porter, between whom has long existed a personal per-sonal rcpugnanoe that Mr. iiarnum would not for one moment tolerate in his "happy family," met at a social gathering. Porter approached Dent and ottered his hand. Dent turned his back upon him in disdain (whether or not considering the hand too dirty, from tccent custom houso disclosures, is not explained), and left the would-be friend unrecognized. The chagrined general at once determined to challenge the plucky judge to mortal combat, but upon seeking a friond to arrange the preliminaries and carry out bis deadly intent, ho was informed that the juJge is what is technically termed a "far-tar;" "far-tar;" that in short, his California record rec-ord shows him up as a man who, if driven into a corner, might possibly put the President to the very pleasant or unpleasant alternative of selecting anew private secretary. At this terrible ter-rible intimi-tioa the doughly general is said to havo felt tho courage oozing out of tho palms of tho hands more plainly than ever did poor Bob Acres, and so ho came to tho most grateful and pious of conclusions. Tho Judcre is the brother of Mrs. Grant, He (Porter) to raise a hostile hand apainst tho brother of the lady who is the wife of one to whom ho has been so long confidential friend and adviser ! Forbid it, heaven, and all tho laws of seltLinterest I But the judge, urged by no such delicate considerations, blunily expresses himself as exceedingly exceed-ingly mortified that "Porter shields himself behind the of a lady," and deeply regrets ho has lost the chance "to get a pass at him," thinking think-ing that he might thereby have got rid of at least one of the go-betweens io the speculative rings which have brought such undying disgrace upon tho once fair fame of the Grants and Dents. This interesting episode in Washington life reminds one forcibly of a sharp pasquinade that was written upon Daniel (J'Counell when he re fused to fight a duel upon tho senre o bis being a married man with a dautrh tcr, which may be thus feebly paraphrased para-phrased : Poor Porter, in horror of sOaiiclitcr, Improves on the Scripture command, And honor.old Dent'.- lovely daughter That bis days may be long in tho land. H asKinqton Correspondence 2s . 1 World. |