Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-10-02
New Series---VOl. XV, No. AZ

though things never seemed so well with
Bill after the new show opened first one
OF his little children died Of fever, then his
wife was sick a long time, and Bill had
big bin to pay at the doctors; then As
last misfortune his shop burned down, one
night, tools brushes, furniture and all, and
no Insurance.
We'll, said the old man pcttishly, why
don't he start again !?
Start again said the communicative
landlord, why, bless my soul, he hasn't
got anything to start with
'H-m-m! Where does this man
live p asked the old man.
He was directed and ere long was in
conversation with the unfortunate tonsor,
who oorroborated the landlords story
why don't you take new shop ? said
the old man, there's new one in the
block right opposite the other BARRIERS
shop
what? said the other, you must be
crazy. Why that belongs to old Billy
Gibbons he'd never let one Of those stores
for BARRIERS shop they are a mighty
sight to good; besides that ! have not got
twenty dollars in the world to fit it up with
you don't know old Bill Gibbons as
we'll as | do said the other.
Perhaps not said the barber
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 p
This proposition somewhat startled the
unfortunate hair-dresser, who finally found
words to stammer out that, perhaps, twelve
or fifteen dollars month would be about
enough
Pshawp said the old man, that won't
do-now listen to me-Tll give you that
store rent free, and engage your service six
months, all on these conditions. You are
to shave and cut hair for every body that
applies to you, and take no pay; just charge
it all to me, and for all your services III
pay you twenty dollars month, payable
in advance-pay to commence now,' he
continued, placing two ten dollar bills be-
fore the astonished barber, who, it is al
most unnecessary to state, accepted the
proposition, and who was still more surpri-
sed to learn that it was Billy Gibbons
himself who had hired him.
In u few days the inhabitants of that
village were astonished by the appearance
of splendid new barbers shop, far sur
passing the other in elegance Of appoint
meats, and in which with new mugs, soaps,
razors aud perfumes, stood q barber and
assistant ready to do duty on the heads and
boards of the people. Over the door was
inscribed, VIM. Harrington, Shaving and
Hair Dressing Saloon.
The people were not long in ascertaining
or slow in availing themselves Of the priv
ileges Of the establishment, and it is not
to be wondered that it was crowded and
the other deserted The other held out
some weeks, suspecting this free shaving
for Bill kept his secret well-was but a
dodge to entice customers away, who would
soon be charged as usual ; but at the end
of six weeks he found Billy working away
as usual, charging not a cent for his labor,
and having money to spend in the bargain,
he came to the conclusion that he must
have drawn prize in the lottery, or STUN
bled upon goldmine, and was keeping a
BARRIERS shop for fun, so he closed his shop
III uSSpdI duQ iSil LLc pldCC'
Meanwhile 'Bill Harrington kept on
busy as bee, and one morning his EN-
ployer stepped in and without word sat
down and was shaved on rising from the
chair he asked to see the score for the
six months past, The barber exhibited it,
and after careful calculation the old man
said
Plenty of work, eh p
Lots of EN- said the barber, never
did such business in my life
WELL replied money bags, you have
kept the account well. see | have paid
you enc hundred and twenty dollars for
your services-all right, and there were
three hundred and thirty charged for shay
ing all that applied now, this furniture
cost one hundred dollars. Now you own
this furniture, and are to have this shop
rent free six months longer, and after to-
day you are to charge the regular price,
for your pay from me steps to day
This Of course the barber gladly assent
ed to.
But said the old man on leaving, take
care you never cheat man by charging
him ten times the usual price for shave,
for it may be another old Billy Gibbons