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Campbell of Scalpay was at one time in the company of his cousin, Campbell of Ui, in Taransay, Harris, when a poor man from Uist, whose house had burned down, came to solicit aid. His name was also Campbell and'he complained to them of his loss and his destitute condition. Ui asked Scalpay what they should give to the poor destitute man. "Give him a guinea, I say." replied Campbell of Scalpay. The other gentleman thought this was too much. "No," replied Scalpay and turning his back to Ui, added, "seeing he is a Campbell too."
Scalpay now folded a scrap of a letter and put a shilling on the top of it and handed it to the Uist man: "Here is a twenty shilling note and a shilling of silver for you." Ui, not doubting Scalpay's charity and seeing this liberal gift of money, took out a guinea note and gave it to the poor man. When the Uist man had gone home, Scalpay returned to Taransay and told Campbell of Ui: "I hope the Uist man will long remember your liberality towards him." "Why?" asked Ui. "I only gave him a guinea - and you, yourself gave him the first one." Replied Scalpay: "Ali, No. I only gave him a shilling on top of a piece of old paper but the example operated sowell in the poor man's favour that my single shilling made you give him twenty-one shillings!" "You wicked man! The gallows is too good for you and I hope it will not be long before you stretch the hemp, although it will be a scandal to your friends."
"Stop!" exclaimed Scalpay. "Where do you think we shall be in the world to come?" "I hope in Goodness," said Ui, "that it is not along with you I shall be put." "Ali," replied Scalpay, "I hope so too, for I look to be exalted above you; and perhaps I may be permitted to write some letters and to drop them from my higher, to your lower, abode."
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