River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-02-07
From the Boston Commercial Bulle tin.
SCORCHING A SCOTCHMAN.
.Canny'' CambclI and his Confidence
Game.

'Canny" CambelI and his Confidence
Game.
A century ago. Scotehmen were the
merchant princes of Richmond, Vir-
ginia. The race is Of hospitable fame, ana
right royalty was the national reputation
maintained by the Richmond representa-
tives OF that ancient day But "a genera
ton ago, the glory of the great Scotch
merchants had departed, with a few ex-
ceptiors Ii may here be remarked that
the kindly Scottish heart not only "'warms
TO the tartan,N but to the sound Of the
home tongue as well. Scotchmen never
lose their clannish love for "brither
Scot" whatever else may be lost to them,
nomatter where he may be found
Among the genial-hearted Scotchmen
in Richmond, say thirty years ago, was
John Barr, wealthy and much-esteemed
citizen, who was largely interested in
the coal properly, and carried on an ex-
ensve business at that time. lie was
widower with two charming and accom-
plished daughters, who presided at his
hospitabe mansion.
IL will not do TO omit mention of "Our
House, -" public," as Meg Dodds would
term it, famous for its fine liquors and
general good cheer,-located on 18th
street. and under the charge of Charlie
Thompson. Now in those days at least.
q hot whiskey punch was considered the
natural beverage, in moderation, for
full.blooded Scotchman. For that matter,
this is not altogether obsolete, even pow.
Aud as Scotchman Barr owned the
building who're Charlie Thompson dis.
pensed his liquids and savory solids, it was
but natural that "0ur House y should be
the main fountain at which the constitu
lional Scotch thirst should be slaked,
when the stomach struck the right hour,
say about IL o'clock ~ NJ, for the first
devotions. And so, in a calm, orderly.
uniform way, the days and nights of John
Barr moved on,-without even a ripple of
unusual things, until one eventtul day
which came bigger with events to the
unsuspecting coal merchant than often
come down upon that moral and peaceable
city. Ii began without cloud, but there
was much hidden thunder IN that sky.
One day, as good John Barr was slipping
his punch, in the handsome room where
"Our llouee0 beverages were dispersed
and partaken, his quick ear caught the
pleasant sound OF a Scotch tongue, calling
for the national connection at the bar.
The party, upon whom the eyes of Mr..
Barr were instantly turned, was large
imposing gentleman of about sixty years
le was evidently a stranger, no common
person, and Scutchman,-the las; the
best of all He took his drink like a gen
tiaman, paid for 1t like a gentleman, bow
cd like "a gentleman, and retired like q
gentleman.
Tina next day, at about the same hour
this now distinguished stranger again ap
peared at "0ur House." took his tod
paid. bowed, aud went bis way. Promptly
on the third day came the mysterious bu
most interesting gentleman. but he wa,
in less haste than before, aud rested him
self upon chair. That John Barr should
be eager % open chat with tins unknown
brother Scot that he succeeded in this
and that they should take "a little som,
thing jointly and severally,-was JUS
inevitable To say that the stranger
proved To be very pleasant man woulC
DC UNI uut 10 tho nuNIetta lie Was SIMPLY
fascinating Evidently Of much cultiya
ton. he had also travelled extensively il
many parts OF the world, and had that ain
OF refinement and dignity which indicated
habitual association with educated society
And ;, the ice once broken there follow
cd daily chats between the two Scotsman
tina, soon partook Of intimacy and i
naturally and easily rpened into this in
short time. This charming human add
ton 10 the social life OF honest and unso
phistiuated John Barr was named Camp
bell.--ofthe pure blood Of that flmou
stock, which is the pride Of every iru
Scotchman. Ills business was that of
tobacco dealer. Tor the purchase otwhicI
valuable vegetable he was now in Rich
mond. m the interest OF the large New
York house, Of which he was the priuci
pal. lie expected 20 spend an iudeiinit
hme In Richmond, which gave much salts
faction 10 Mr. Barr, Aud SO, withou
effort or study apparently, the two sool
became close friends, Ia short time
Campbell was frequent aud familia
lounrer in the Office Of Barr and finally
visitor at his house,--whero many a.