Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-06-26
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 1855.
BARRIERS.

We have great regard for the man who
shaves our chin, trims our whiskers and rubs ouI
head Whether he be white or black, there is
is no difference in the feelings with which he
inspires us. He is at once an object Of admi'
ration and confidence. We are naturally sus.
picious, but we allow him to loosen our neck tie
and turn down our collar with no thought OF
fear that throat is in DANGER or that the keen
blade will glide over our defenceless conte-
nance at any other than the slightest possible
angle. The idea of its transit at an angle of
fortv-fve or ninety, never troubles us. In this
instance we trust the man who handles edged
tools We know it would be easy for him as
he holds us by the nose so firmly back against
his cushioned head-piece of his easy chair to
make real sea of communication from ear to
ear, altogether fatal to the travel that now takes
a different direction. Or if he was less san
guinously disposed, sundry slight excentricities
of his merchandising fingers might create nu-
merous little indentations in ones facial depart
ment not at all favorable to good looks, yet we
are not disturbed by any of these possibili.
ties. We are sure that we shall arise, if not a
wiser, at least a cleanlier man. There are
however, certain peculiarities in the shaving
operations of some BARRIERS to which we are not
oblivious, and which are by no means to our
liking.
1t is not that We are over fastidious, or in
general unwilling to have the same measure
Il l,,$. 6
barberic maneuvres we have decided aversion
to. For instance, we object, not only on ordi-
nary occasions, but while being shaved, to any
interference with our nasal organs. Cannot a
gentleman get his beard taken off without hav-
ing his nose pnched at the same time? Besides,
it impedes respiration, and thus irritates the
lungs as we'll as the temper.
Then, again, there is no particular necessity
why the operators dusky and otherwise objec-
tonable finger should obtrude itself lengthwise
between your lips so often and so emphatcally,
as if it would rather be there than not. 1t is
taking mean advantage of your position. If
you open your mouth to object, in drops the in
cumbent digit; nor can you ''grin and bear it"
for if you grin the finger slips in as before; you
must bear it without grinning. We don't like
it, especially before dinner. The very common
trick of breathing in ones face can be endured
if the 'puffs" are not too frequent and vigorous.
A barber's breath is not per Sc more than
any ones else, though for our part we are par
tial to pure air, and would always prefer not to
take il at second hand
Save in these, and perhaps few other slight
particulars, the race of BARRIERS is deserving Of
our admiration and regard. They cool the
head and smooth the chin all for dime. Be-
sides the fact that they daily handle so many
threats deserving Of TIE halter without once
forestalling justice by slip Of the razor across
the iugular, is sufficient to entitle them to the
confidence and patronage of worse rogues than
we. Go We, then, unshaven sinners, commit
yourselves fearlessly to the barber's hands, and
in due time you will come forth cleanlier if not
better men.