Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-09-18
SHAVING A MILLIONAIRE.


SHAVING A MILLIONAIRE.
Let any man become immensely wealthy by
his own cxeItions, and straitway you shall
hear numerous anecdotes illustrating the
means by which he attained his riches, the ef-
feet they have upon him, his disposition CT
them, or his sayings, peculiarities and excen-
tritities.
Astor. Girard and Billy Gray have furnish
ed illustrations for many clever sketcher.
We heard few clever anecdotes the other
day of Billy Gibbons, a New Jersey million
aire, one Of which we will give our readers.
1t seems that Billy, while in country viii
liage in which he owned some property, step
ped into barber's shop to get ghaved. The
shop was full OF customers, and the old gen.
tlemen quietly waited for his turn.
A customer who was under the barber 8
hands when the old man came in, asked the
'.knight of the razor'' n an under tone, if he
knew who that was, and on receiving a mega
tive reply, he informed him in whisper that
it was s.old Billy Gibbons, the richest man in
the State.'
.Good'' said the barber, sI'll charge him for
his shave.'
Accordingly, after the old man had
that operation performed, he was somewhat
surprised upon asking the price to be told
"Seventy Eve cents.''
..Seventy-five cents,'' said he quietly, "isn't
that rather a righ price ~
s.It's my price, said he of the lather- brush
independently, ssand as this is the only bar
ber's shop in the place, them that comes into
it must pay what ASK
To the old man this was rather knock
down arguemnt, for he drew three-quarters
Of dollar from his pocket, paid them over to
the barber, and left the shop.
A short time after he was in close CONVEX
sation with the landlord OF the tavern hard
by, and the topic OF Observation-Disclosures
shops.''
s'Why is it, said he, "there's only one bar
ber's shop in town =? there seems TO be nearly
enough work for two."
Well there used to be two," said the land
lord, still last winter, when this new man
came up from the city and opened a new shop,
and as everything in il was fresh and new,
folks, sort of deserted Bill Harrington's shop,
which has been going nigh fourteen years.
'sBut didn't this Bill do good work didn't
be shave we'll and-cheap3''
"Weli as for that" said the landlord ssBIll
did his work well enough and cheap enough,
but his shop wasn't on Main street like the
hew one, and didn't have many pictures
and handsome curtains, and folks got in the
way of thinking the new chap was more scien-
titic, but though" said the landlord, stroking
chin sown with beard resembling screen
wire, sI never want lighter touch or keener
razor than Bill Harrington's.''
"City fashions-eh ~ growIed the old man.
3
others barber shop
'.Well not exactly,'' said the landlord,
though things never seemed so well withBill at
fer the new shop opened first of his little
children died of fever, then his wife was sick
long time, and Bill had big bill to pay at
the Doctors; then as a last misfortune his
shop burned down, one night, tools, brushes
furniture and all. and no insurance.
'Well,' said the old man pettishly, sswhy
Cont he start again
"Start again 20 said the communicative
landlord, "why, bless my soul, he hasn't got
anything to start with
"H-m-m! Where does this man live 2''
asked the old man.
He was directed and ere long was in CONVEX
sation with the unfortunate tonsor, who corro.
borated the landlords story.
.'Wby don't you take now shop 2" said the
old man, ssthere's a new one in the block
right opposite the other barber's shop.''
"W ~ said the other, 'syou must be era
zy- Why that block belongs to old Billy Glib
bons; he'd never let one of those stores for
barber's shop, they are mighty sight too
good besides that have not got twenty dol
lars in the world to fit ii up with.''
"You don't know old Billy Gibbons as well
as do,'' said the other.
''Now listen to me. If you can have that
shop all fitted up rent free, what will you
work in it for by the month what is the
least you can live on ~
This proposition somewhat startled the un-
fortunate hair-dresser, who finally found words
10 stammer out that, perhaps, twelve or fifteen
dollars a month would be about enough.
"Pshaw 20 said the old man, sthat won't do
now listen to me-I'll give you that store,
rent free, and engage ysur service six months,
all on these conditions. You are to shave
and cut hair for every body that applies to
!o9, and take no pay just charge it all to me,
ana for all your services I'll pay you twenty
uoiiars month, payable, in adyance-pay to
commence now," he continued, placing two
Ten dollar bills before the astonished barber,
who,it is almost unnecessary to state, accepted
'ne propositson, and who was still more sur
prlsed to learn that it was Billy Gibbons him.
self who had hired him.
In few days the Inhabitants of that village
s., were astonished by the appearance Of splen-
ala new barber's shop, far surprising the 9TH
Ell, 81 10 elegance Of appointments, and in which
WIN new mugs, soaps, razOrs and perfumes,
s.ood barber and assistant ready to do duty
w w 'ne heads and boards of the people. Over
S sue door was inscribed, VIM. Harrington,
NNsVIpg and Hair Dressing Saloon.