Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-02-05
From the Boston Commercial Bulletin.
SCORCRTNG A sC0TCHMAN.
" Canry" CarabelI and his Confidence
Game.


Came.
A century ago. Scotehmen were the
merchant princes" of Richmond, Vir-
ginia. The race is of hospitable fame, and
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. 1t may here be remarked that
the kindly Scottish heart not only "warms
to the TARTAN" but to the sound of the
home tongue as well. Scotchmen never
lose their clanniEh love for "brither
Scot" whatever else may be lost to them,
no matter 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-
tensive business at that time. He was a
widower with two charming and accom-
pllshed daughters, who presided at his
hospitable mansion.
1t will not do to omit mention of "Our
House" p" 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,
hot whlskey punch was considered the
natural beverage, In moderation, for a
full.bl0oded Scotchman. For that matter,
this is not altogether obsolete, even pow.
Aud as Scotebman Barr owned the
building who're Charlie Thompson dis
pensed his liquids and sayOry solids, it was
but natural that Our House y should be
the main fountain at which the constitu
tiOnal Scotch thirst should be slaked,
when the stomach struck the right hour,
say about II O'Clock A. NJ, for the first
deyotions. And SO, in u calm, orderly,
uniform way, the days and nights of John
Barr moved On,-Wlthout even 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. 1t 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 Houee beverages were dispersed
and partaken, bis quick ear caught the
pleasant sound Of a Scotch, tongue, calling
for the national concoctiOn at the bar.
The party, upon whom the eyes of Mr..
Barr were instantly turned, was large,
imposing gentleman of about sixty years.
lie was evidently stranger, no common
person, and q SC0tchman,-th last the
best of all He took his drink like a gen.
tleman, paid for 1t like a gentleman, bow
cd like a gentleman, and retired like a
gentleman.
fha next day, at about the same hour,
this now distinguished stranger again ap.
peared at "Our House, took his tod,
paid, bowed, and went bis way. Promptly
on the third day came the mysterious but
most interesting gentleman: but he was
III less haste than before, and rested him
self upon a chair. That John Barr should
be eager to open a chat with this unknown
brother Scot; that he succeeded in this ;
and that they should take ga little some
thing" jointly and severally,-was Just
inevitable. To say that the stranger
proved to be very pleasant man would
be unjust TO the subject. lie was simply
fascinating. Evidently Of much cuItiya-
pXJelSlVelV
many parts OF the world, and had that air
of refinement and dignity which indicated
habltuat association with educated society,
And Sc, the ice once broken. there follow
ed daily chats between the two Scotsman.
that soon partook Of intimacy and it
naturally and easily ripened into this in a
short time. This charming human addi-
ton to the social life of honest and unso-
phistlcated John Barr was named Camp-
bell of the pure blood of that famous
stock, which is the pride of every true
Scotchman. His business was that of a
tobacco dealer; for the purchase of which
valuable vegetable he was now in Rich
mond, IN the interest OF the large New
York house, of which he was the princi-
pal. He expected to spend an indefinite
time in Richmond, which gave much salts,
faction to Mr.. Barr, And so, without
effort or study (apparently), the two soon
became close friends. In short time,
Campbell was frequent and familiar
Iounger In the Office of Barr; and finally,
a visitor at his hOuse,-where many an
hour of genial comfort was passed by the
tWane.
The close friendship which we thus see
established was cemented even more
strongly by an events which occurred, say
some three months after their acquaint-
ance. Now, although John Barr was one
of the most quiet and amiable of men, yet
he had nerves and was sensitive As
Campbell was taking his ease in Barr's
office one day, conversation ensued which
will explain certain important matter.
" What's the trouble, John? You are
fdgety, mon. Anything gone wrong?2
Wrong why, | was to have received
drafts this morning, with which | was to
pay notes, and now I've got to go out to
borrow money and | hate to borrow"
"Pshawl What's the use of fretting
about that"
=" Fretting p exclaimed John, now
finding vent for his irate steam. "Fretting!
If you hated 70 borrow money as [ do,
YOU wOuld know. sir, what's the use of