The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-06
MIR. BRYCE, OF ENGLAND,
rs ANOTHER SMOOTH GESTLBNAS
TRYING 10 WORK RICH MOSD.
He Came to the "Times" ONCE and 'isit-
cd = Number of Prominent People,
But HE'S n Fakir. !

Every now and then lichnono hdS "
strange visitor. but none 80 strange rs
Gordon Bryce, poet, magnificent pre-
varjcater. and fakir Of the highest order
has struck the city for many days
Nobody knows just how he reached
the city and nobody seems to know how
he got away. but he's gone. where to!
To some other city to work all the
Engiishmen he can.
I-pon his arrival. or rather his suppos-
al arrival. last Wednesday, he casually
sauntered into the editorial sanctum OF
the Times. and in a quiet, easy sort
OF way. introduced himself as the son
Of the Hon. James Bryce, m OF
Parliament. and Of Gladstone's Cabinet,
and author OF that study Of our insti-
tions. the american Commonwealth.
He stated that his tastes were IN line
with those OF his famous father. and
II the editor would kindly favor him with
the names of any literary gentlemen In
this community. he would be under many
OBLIGATIONS. He was given the names or
Messrs. Roosevelt Page and Philip a.
Bruce. Of the Historical Society. and
then he bowed low and took his depart
urc. Next ne approached Mr.. W. II.
Graham. Of the Fidelity Mutual Life
Insurance Company, who gave him the
names OF several Of the most prominent.
lie went then to see the British Vice
Consul. r.. G.. Handbook. but failed to
find him I'm. The first one Of the gen
tlemen called upon was Mr.. Roosevelt
Page. Mr.. Page suggested that he 20
and see Mr.. Frederick l.. Davidson. a
young English barrister. who lives at the
corner Of Franklin and Second streets.
He told Mr.. Davidson a yarn that was
very interesting about life on a Texas
ranch. and his loss OF n sum of over
twenty thousand by the rascality Of
his partner in business, and supplemented
his statements By showing Mr.. Davidson
the scars Of several bullet wounds on
different parts Of his body, in mustra
ton Of his hair-breadth escapes i'm his
wild life on his ranch.
Only Insinustions.
lie did not ask FOR money, but made
his temporary poverty apparent by in
situation. Mr.. Davidson very kindly gave
him a note to the proprietor OF Ford's
Hotel. directing that board be furnished
him. and then he took him to see the
Rev. Hartley Carmichael. Of St. Paurs
church. Now. If there was any person on
the top Of the earth he ought TO have
avoided II was Or. Carmichael. as IL hap
pens that he is an intimate friend OF
Hon. James Bryce. and assisted I'm his
first election 20 Parliament. Here he did
not stay very long. lie shrewdIy thought
II best not 10. under the circumstances.
Then he betook himself 10 his hotel and
slept the sleep OF the unrighteous.
In the meantime the wires were work.
ing. both DR.. Carmichael and Mr.. David
son having communicated with the Hon.
James Bryce to find out whether re had
a son I'm America. The answer. the la
comic mo" was all the cablegram said.
But when, a little later. inquiry was had
at the hotel for him. this precious bird
had flown. lie had gone as mysteriously
as he came.
after he left me he did not stay but p !
very little while. ! got to thinking" said
DIR. Carmichael last evening. "and the
more thought the more my suspicious
were aroused. as l could not remember
Bryce having been married but once. /
went down TO see Colonel Archer Ander-
son. who also knows Bryce. 4 year or
ago Colonel Anderson had had as
his guest the wife. of James
and I confirmed my
impression that he had not
been married but a little while. We
looked at The Blue Book. which contains
tH' bdll'S 'l the pllNN councillors ana
their families. and in il we found that
the marriage with the present Mrs. Bryce
took place in 1889. But neither of us
could remember whether he had been
previously. Mr.. Anderson
thought, from my description OF the
young man. that he might possibly be
the same one who called on him some
months ago. but as he had no opportunity
Of seeing him, this is but supposition.
Dropped his h's.
II have seen Mr.. Page, and he says the
young man dropped his his. This he did
not do in the few minutes ! talked 10
him. Had he done so. / should have
known at once that he was not a gentle
man and therefore an imposter. Neither
did | know he did not have money. lie
told me he was staying at Ford's. and
| naturally supposed he was well sup
Dlied. His shrewdness showed here in
not asking for 1t. as a cablegram TO his
father. If Mr.. Bryce had been his father.
would have supplied him with all he need
| think this sort Of imposter should
be handled by the authorities"
Mr. Davidson SAYS he did not for n
moment believe the young mans story
about Bryce being his father. but that
be does think the young man IS well
connected. lie talked like a gentleman.
ma was dressed nicely, but not nashily.
lie was one Of the most interesting
| ever saw" said Mr.. Davidson,
do not doubt. either. that he IS Of
parentage. / think he IS prob
ably the son Of some prominent man
who has been cast off. and is now making
his living by imposing on his country
men,"
Just what this queer young mans OBJ
was IS yet in doubt. lie is known
to have had any money. and did not
lsk for any. But the fact stand tina
H. did not ask for loans. all Of which
not alter the fact that he Is a prince
# fakirs.