Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-07-11
SHAVING A MILLIONAIRE.

hear numerous anecdotes illustrating the means
be which he attained his riches, the effect they
have upon him, his disposition of them, or his
savings pecuIirities, and eccentricities.
Astor. Girard and Billy Gray have furnished
illustrations for many sketcher. We heard
clever anecdote the other day Of Billy Gibbons
New Jersey millionaire, one OF which we vii
give our readers.
1t seems that Billy, while in n country village
in which he owned soae property, stepped into
q BARRIERS shop TO get shaved. The shop wa
full of customers, and the old gentleman quiet
" waited his turn.
A customer who was under the BARRIERS hands
when the old man came in, asked the knight o
the razor in an under tone, if he knew who
that was, and on receiving negative reply, he
informed him, in a whisper, it was odd Billy
Gibbons, the richest man in the State
Cad sad the barber, III charge him for his
shave
Accordingly, after the old man had had that
operation performed, he was somewhat sur
prised, upon asking the price, to be told-'Sev-
enty-fve cents
'Seventy-fve cents = said he quietly, isn't
that rather high priceP
Its my price, said he of the lather- brush in
dependently, 'and as this is the only BARRIERS
SnOp III inc piuCt, tItul us COlltS lllO IL HlISI
pay what / ask.
TO the old man this was evidently knock
down argument, for he drew three quarters of a
dollar from his pocket, paid them over to the
barber, and left the shop
A short time after he was in close conversa-
ton with the landlord of a tavern hard by and
the topic of observation-disclosures shops
why is it, said he, there's only one BARRIERS
shop in town? there seems to be nearly enough
work for two
"Well, there used to be two said the land
lord, till last winter, when this new man came
up from the city and opened a new shop, folks
sort of deserted Bill Harrington's shop, which
had been going for nigh fourteen years
But didn't this Bill do good work didn't he
shave well, ond-cheapN
We'll. as for that, said the landlord, Bill did
his work well enough and cheap enough, but his
shop want on the Main street like the new one,
and didn't have so many pictures and handsome
curtains, and folks got in the way of thinking
the new chap was more scientific and brought
more city fashions with him, though, to tell the
truth, said the landlord, stroking a chin sown
with beard resembling screen wire, Il never
want a lighter touch, or keener razor, than
Bill Harrington's.'
City fashions-eh?' growled the old man.
lllG new man CIV IuSlOUS smut Inc Oti1-
er BARRIERS shop?'
well, not exactly said the landlord, though
things never did seem to go well with Bill after
the new shop opened first one of his little
children died of fever then his wife was sick
a long time and Bill had large account to pay
at the Doctors, then as last misfortune his
shop burned down one night, tools, furniture
and all, and no insurance"
well said the old man, pettishly, why don't
he start again ??
Start again! said the communicative land
lord, why, bless your soul, he hasn't got any
thing to start with
Hmm! Where does this man liveP p
asked the old man.
He was directed and ere long was in CONVEX
sation with the unfortunate tonsor who corrob-
GRATED the landlords story.
'Why don't you take new shop said the
old man, there's a new one in the block right
opposite the other BARRIERS shop
WHAT said the other, you must be crazy
Why, that block belongs to old Billy Gibbons !;
he'd never let one Of these stores for BARRIERS
shop; they are mighty sight too good, besides
that haven't got twenty dollars in the world to
fit it up with
You don't know old Billy Gibbons as well as
l 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 p
what is the least you can live on p
This proposition somewhat startled the I'M
fortunate hair-dresser, who finally found words
to stammer out that perhaps twelve or fifteen
dollars month would be about enough.
'Pshaw = said the old man, that won't do
now listen to me,-fll give you that store rent
free, one year. and engage your services six
months, all on these conditions. You are to
shave and cut hair for everybody that applies
10 you, and take no pay; Just charge it all to
me, and for your services III pay YOU twenty
dollars month, payable in advance-puy to
commence now continued he, placing two ten
dollar notes on the table before the astonished
barbor,-who 1t is almost unnecessary to state,
accepted the proposition. and who was still
more surprised to learn that it was Billy Glib
bons himself who had hired him.
In few days the inhabitants of that VILLAGE
were astonished by the appearance of splen-
did new BARRIERS shop, far surprising the other
in elegance of appointments, and in which
with new mugs, soaps, razors and perfumes
stood barber and assistant ready to do duty
on the heads and boards of the people. Over
the door was inscribed VIM. Harrington, Shd-
ving and Hair Dressing Saloon
The people were not long in ascertaining or
slow in ayaling themselves of the privilege OF
this establishment, and it is not TO be wondered
that 1t was crowded and the other deserted.
The other held out some weeks, suspectinp this
free shaving-for Bill kept his secret wello-was
but dodge TO entice customers away. who
would soon be charged as usual but, when 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 into the bargain
he came to the conclusion that he must hav +,
drawn a prize in the lottery, or stumbled upon
a gold mine, and was keeping a barber shop
for fun. so he closed his shop in despair, and
left the place.
Meantime Bill Harrington kept on busy as
a bee. and one fine morning his employer
stepped and, without n word, set down and was
shaved on rising from his chair he asked to
see the score for the six months past. The
barber exhibited it, and after careful examina-
ton the man said:
'Plenty Of customers, ehp
Lots of 'em' said the barber: never did
such n business in my life"
'Well,' replied Money Bags, you have kept
the account well. see I've paid you one hun
bred and twenty dollars for servioes,--all right
and there are three hundred and thirty char
ged for shaving all that applied now, this
furniture cost one hundred and eight dollars !
balance due you, one hundred and two dollars
Here it IL. Now you own this furniture, and
are to have this shop rent for six months longer,
and after to-day you are to charge the regular
price for work, for your pay from me stops to-