The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-04
Awful Tragedy.
(TO be continwed.)

AN ADVENTURE IN A BARRIERS SHOP.
In the month of October, 1926, my
vessel was lying at Mobile. | went
ashore one bright morning, to do some
business with the house to which was
consigned, and as passed along the street
it occurred to me that | might as well
have a beard of a weeks growth reaped,
before presented myself at the counting
room, | stepped into a BARRIERS shop and
told the barber to proceed.
He was bright mulatto, cookbook
ing young fellow, not more than two and
twenty years of age, it appeared. His
eyes were large, black and unusually lus-
trous. His manner at first was quiet and
respectful. thought he was a long while
latherng my face, and | told him he must
have bought his soap at wholesale price
Laughing, he replied that mine was long
beard, and that he knew what he WAS
about.
Are pou the boss here, my, man."
asked
"lcs," he answered, "my master set
me up, and pay him twenty dollars a
month for my time"
That is a good interest on the capital
invested" | rcmarked; "can you pay your
rent and live on the balance of your saw
ings"
"Oh, yes aud lay up something be-
sides. Sometimes | receive thirty bits
day"
"Thcn I suppose you will buy your
freedom one Of these days"
"As for that" he replied, ~ care but
little. have all the liberty | want and
enjoy myself as 90 along"
BY this time he had laid down the
brush, and commenced running his razor
over the strop, looking at the blade every
time he drew it across the leather. His
hand tremblcd little, and his eyes abso-
lnteIy burned like Goals of fire. did not
feel uneasy, but could not avoid watch
ing him closely.
AT last he commenced shaving me. Ny
head being thrown back, | was able to
keep my eyes fixed directly on his own
Why | did so | cannot tell certainly |
apprehended nothing, but l did not re-
move my gaze for single instant while
throat. He seemed to grow more and
more uneasy his eyes were as bright,
but not so steady as when first observed
them. He could not meet my fixed and
deliberate look. As he commenced shay
ing my chin he said abruptly
"l}arbers handle deadly weapon, sir"
True enough, my man." replied, "bnt
you handle yours skillfully, although |
notice that your hands shake little"
"That's nothing-I can shave Just as
well. My hand shakes because / did not
have much sleep last night. But was
thinking just now," he added, with a
laugh, "how easy it would be 20 cut your
throat"
Very likely" | replied, laughing in
return, but looking sternly at him-"very
likely, yet | would not advise you to try
the experiment"
Nothing more was said. lie soon fin
ished, and arose from the chair Just as
an elderly gentleman was entering the
shop. The last conner dvested himself OF
his coat and Gravel, and took the seat |
had vacated.
l went to the glass, which did not re-
fleet the chair, to arrange my collar Ger.
tainly had not stood before it a sin.
gle moment, when | heard something
like suppressed shrek, a gurgling, hor.
rible sound, that made my blood run cold
l turned-thcre sat the unfortunate gen
tleman, covered with blood, his throat cut
from ear to ear, and the barber, raying
maniac, dashing the razor with tremendous
violence in the mangled neck.
On the instant the mans eye caught
mine, the razor dropped from his hand,
and he fell down in fit. Irushed to-
wards the door and called for assistance.
Tho unfortunate man was dead before
we could reach the chair.
We secured the barber, who subse-
quenhy learned, had been drinking deep.
ly tho night before, and was laboring un.
der mania 0-potm. HIS fate never heard