Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-24
sound like that of q serpent endowed with

4
/ Another half hour now passed by, and at
length the horric and unearthly tones Of the
fat man became less loud. He seemed to drop
asleep, and his Brush away was repeated at
longer intervals, and in deep hollow voice
! 1t never ceased, however, but was uttered with
much less rapidity than at first He began to
snore; and between each, a long deeply-drawn
sBr-u-sh away was heard to proceed from his
bosom, as from the bottom of tomb: the blocks
| and the kettle also remurmured the tones with
kindred slowness. In all this there was some
thing inexpressibly frightful; and a cloud pass
ing before the moon, and thereby leaving the
chamber in pr ofound darkness, the Barber found
himself overwhelmed with unutterable dread.
There was not a soul present but himself and
his fearful companion. His house opened into
the College church-yard, which was dismal
place surrounded by high walls, and regularly
locked in each evening. Every circumstance,
therefore, contributed to render his situation
more appalling. There was no one at hand TO
relieve him in bis distress: no one to hear him
should he invoke their aid. There was even no
way ofiescape should he be so fortunate as to get
out: the lofty wall Of the cemetery rendered
that hopeless undertaking.
Meanwhile, he continued to ply at his end
! less task. The least pause brought on ncreas-
| ed exclamatiOns from the stranger. While he
lathered him with rapidly, he was compare
lively silent; but any occasional pause from
! fatigue, the cries became redoubled in loudness
and rapiditv Times without number was he
obliged to shift the brush from one hand to
the other from actual exhaustion 1t was IN
vain: there seemed to be no termination to his
efforts. If he relaxed moment he was sure
to be recalled by the incessant Brush away of
the mysterious man.
| Such intolerabIe misery could not endure
4 Human nature, in the person of the Barber, was
taxed TO it's utmost efforts, and refused to do
more. The anguish he sustained gave him cou-
rage, and, stepping aside all at once, he made
to the door, intending 10 effect his escape
Alas! scarcely had he advanced yard towards
the threshold, than a Brush away louder than
any he had yet heard, fell upon him like thun-
derbolt, and froze the very spirits within him.
He returned to his task, and commenced brush
ing the beard Of the fat man as before. The
cries Of this parsonage now become more loud
than they had been for the last half hour. His
SAUNDERS seemed to be broken, and he resumed,
with undated vigor, his old system Of singing
and whistling, and laughing fearfully.
| Brush away continued he with his intolera-
bic laugh. 'An't fatigued hope, my old boy?
Will you have another taste Of my elixir, EN-"
eve are more in need Of lights than Of elk
| irs," calculated the Barber, with an effort which
it cost him all his skill TO accomplish.
"Brush away, then, and we shall not want
lights. There's brace of them for you. Did
you ever see anything finer, old boy?"
The Barber started back fathom with a.
mazement; & we'll he might, for in the midst of
the darkness beheld two horrd luminous eyes
glarng upon him. They were those of the fat
man, and seemed lighted up with that hide
Gus spectral glow which is to be seen floating
Yin cemeteries and other places of corruption
1 The unnatural glare made his whole head ViSi-
BILE. His face, so far as the soap permitted its
tints to be seen, was flushed TO the colour OF
deep crimson. His dark hair appeared to be
converted into sable snakes; and when he laugh
ed, the whole inside CT his mouth and throat
resembled red hot iron, and looked like the en-.
trance to furnace within his entrals. Nor
was the breath which emanated from this source
endurable: it was hot, sufocating, and sulphu-
reous, as if concocted in the bottom Of hell.
Such hideous spectacle was more THAI the
| Barber could endure. 1t gave speed to his feet;
and dashing down his brush and soap box he
rushed GU, at the door, in an agony Of despe.
ration.
| Away he ran through the churchyard, into
which, as we have said, his door opened, No
thing was capable. of impeding his progress
| He leaped over the hillocks, tombstoneS, ditch
es, and every thing that stood in his way. Ne
yer was terror SO thoroughly implanted in the
heart of human being. He had not been half
minute out, however, when his ears were sa=
luted with one Of the strangers horrible laughs,
and with his still more horrible "Brush away"
In another moment he heard footsteps coming
after him, which made him accelerate his
speed. 1t was to no purpose: the steps behind
gained upon him, and, on looking back, he be-
held to his horror, the fat man-hs face cover
ed with soap suds,-the towel tucked under his
chin, his hat of, and the horseman's pistols in
his hand. He laughed and roared out "Brush
away" as he pursued the wretched shaver with
speed miraculous for man Of his unwieldy
size. The moon, which shone brightly at this
time, rendered every object tolerably distinct.
Pushed to desperation, the barber turned his
footsteps to the tower Of the steeple, the door
of which stood wide open. He entered, and at
tempted to close it behind him. 1t was too
late the other was close at his heels and forced
himself in. There was no time to be lost. Our
fugitive mounted the stair of the tower, and as.
cended with the rapidity of lightning. There
was door nine stories up which opened on an
outside terrace upon the top. Could he only