The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-09-13

for barber's shop; they are mighty sight
too good. Besides that, haven't got TWEEN
ty dollars in the world to fit it up with"
"You don't know old Billy Gibbons as
I do" said the other. "Now listen to me.
II you can have that shop all fitted up. rent
free, what will YOU work in il for by the
month? What is the least you can live
onl"
Thi, proposition somewhat startled the
unfortunate hair-dresser, who finally found
words to stammer out that, perhaps, twelve
or fifteen dollars q month would be about
enough.
"Pshaw!" said the old man, "that won't
do-now listen to me. III 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 to you, and take no pay; just
charge it all to me, aud Tor your services Ill
pay you twenty dollars month, payable in
advance-pay to commence now" continued
he, placing two ten dollar notes On the table
before the astonished barber. who, it is al
most unnecessary to state, accepted the prop
osition, and who was still more surprised to
learn that it was Billy Gibbons himself who
had hired him.
In few days the inhabitants of that vii
lagc were astonished by the appearance of a
splendid new barber's 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
WILLIAM HARRINGTON.
Shaving 81 Hair Dressing Saloon.
The people were not long in ascertaining
or slow in ayailing themselves of the priv.
leges of this establishment, and il 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 welD was but dodge to en-
tice customers away, who would soon be
charged as usual but when ot the end of six
weeks he found Billy working away as usual
charging not cent for his labor, and hay-
ing money to spend into the bargain, he came
TO the conclusion that he must have drawna
yrire in the lottery, or stumbled upon gold
mine, and was keeping barber's shop in
fun, SO he closed his shop in despair, and left
the place.
Meanwhile "Billy Harrington" kept on
busy as a bee, and one fne morning his en-
ployer stepped in and without word, sat
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 a careful examination, the old man
said:-
"Plenty of customers, oh?"
slots of 'em" said the barber; "never did
such business in my life"
"well," replied Money Bags, "you have
kept the account well. ] see I've paid you
Sl2O for services-all risht,-and there are
$3.50 charged for all shaving that applied
now this furniture cost $l0S. llerei is
Now you own this furniture, and are to have
this shop rent free six months longer, andaf'
ter to-day you are to charge the regular price
for work, for your pay from me stops to day"
This of course the blrbar gladly assented
to.
"But," said the old man on leaving, stake
care you never cheat man by charging ten
times the usual price for shave for it may
be another old Billy Gibbons. Com. Bul-
htiH.