The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-09-04
From the Boston Commercial Bulletin.
ScORCHlNC A SCOTCHMAN.

--NcuCIU IcCOfu.
From the Boston Commercial Bulletin
SCORcHlNC A SCOTcHMAN.
"Canny" CambeII and his Confidence
Game.
A century ago, Scotchmen were
the merchant princes of Richmond
Virginia. The race is of hospital
fame, and right royalty was the ma
tional reputation maintained by the
Richmond representative of that
ancient day. But generation ago,
the glory of the great Scotch mer.
chants had departed, with few
exceptions. 1t may here be remark
ed that the kindly Scottish heart not
only warns to the tartan, but to the
sound of the home tongue as well.
Scotchmen never lose their clannish
love for 'brither Soot,' whatever
else may be lost to them, no matter
where he may be found.
Among the genial-hearted Scotch
men in Richmond, say thirty years
ago, was John Barr, wealthy and
much esteemed citizen, who was
largely interested IN the coal proper.
ty, and carried on an extensive
business at that time. He was a
widower with two charming and &C
complished daughters, who presided
at his hospitable mansion.
1t will not DO to omit mention OF
'Our House. 'public,' as Meg
Dodds would term it, famous for it's
fine liquors and general good cheer,
located on 18th street, and under
the charge of Charlie Thompson.
Now in those days at least, hot
whisky punch was considered the
natural beverage, in moderation, for
full .blooded Scotchman. For that
matter, this ia not altogether obso
lete, even now. And as Scotchman
Barr owned the building where
Charlie Thompson dispensed his
liquids and savory solids, it was but
natural that Our House should be
the main fountain at which the con-
stitutional Scotch thirst should be
slaked, when the stomach struch the
right hour, say about ii o'clock a.
m. for the first devotions. And so,
in a calm, orderly, uniform way, the
days and nights of John moved on,
without even a ripple of unusual
things, until one eventful day which
came bigger with events to the un,
suspecting coal merchant than often
come down upon that moral and
peaceable city. 1t began without a
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 Home beverages
were dispersed and partaken, his
quick ear caught the pleasant sound
Of a Scotch tongue, calling for the ma
tional connection at the bar. The
party, upon whom the eyes of Mr..
Barr were instantly turned, was a
large, imposing gentleman of about
sixty years. He was evidently a
stranger, no common person, and a
Scotchman,-the last the best of all
He took his drink like gentleman,
paid for it like a gentleman, bowed
like gentleman, and retired like a
gentleman.
The next day, at about the same
hour, this now distinguished strang
er again appeared at 'Our House,
took his tod, paid, bowed, and went
away. Promptly on the third day
came the mysterious but most inter-
esting gentleman but he was in less
haste than before, and rested him
self upon a chair. That John Barr
should be eager to open chat with
this unknown brother Scot; that he
succeeded in this; and that they
should take "a little something joint
ly and severally was just inevita
BILE. To say that the Stranger proved
to be very pleasant man would be
unjust to the subject. He was sim
ply fascinating. Evidently of much
cultivation, he had also travelled ex-
tensively in many parts of the world
and had that air of refinement and
dignity which indicated babitual
associations with educated society.
And SO, the Zoe once. broken, there
followed daily chats between the
two Scotchmen, that soon partook of
intimacy; and it naturally and easily
ripened into this In a short time.
This charming human addition to
the social lite of honest and unso
phisticated John Barr was named
Campbell, ,-of the pure blood of tha,
famous stock, which is the pride Of
every true Scotchman. His bust
ness was that of tobacco dealer
for the purchase of which valuable
vegetable he was now in Richmond
in the interest OF the large New
York house. of which he was the
principal. He expected to spend an
indefinite time in Richmond, which
| gave much satisfaction to Mr.. Barr
And so, without effort or study zap
parently), the two soon became close
friends. In a short time. Campbell
was a frequent and familiar loungel
in the office of Barr, and finally 9
visitor at his house,-where many
an hour of genial comfort was passed
by the TWAIN.
The close friendship which we thus
see established was oemented ever
more strongly by an event which
occurred, say some three monthi
after their acquaintance. Now, al
though John Bar was one of the
most quiet and amiable Of men, yet
he had nerves aud was sensitive
As Campbell was taking his ease il
Bars office one day, conversation
ensued which will explain a certain
important matter.
whats the trouble, John? You
are fdgety, man. Anything gone
wrong p dill hsl0il1aluH
Wrong! why, l was to have re-
ceived drafts this morning, with
which 1 was to pay notes, and now
I've cot to go out to borrow money
and l hate to borrow
/ .Pshaw! What the use of frettine
| about that?'A 'GAii1,fA
'Fre.tingp exclaimed John, now
finding vent for his irate stream
lsFrettingl Ifyou hated to borrow
money as / do, you would know, sir
what's the use Of fretting.' And the
coal merchant hopped to and fro
briskly.
Pohp nonsense, man. How
much will you have to borrow?'