Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-04-12
The closest shave of my Life.
BY a LONDON DETECTIVE.

The prison at Dis every way consid-
cred under better organized and surer
system OF administration that any similar
institution | have known. / have seen
many, and looked somewhat closely into
their management and discipline, and have
often seen much to approve; but the prison
st D-surpasses all the rest. Visitors OF
whom, very properly, but few are admitted
are amazed at the regularity, the order, and
most singular Of all the air of security and
order and quiet that prevails.
AS we wandered through the chambers
into the rear part Of the prison, we came o
one, from the window Of which a man was
looking so anxiously that he did not hear us
enter When he turned, bis eyes were
glistening with tears. The warden said be
did nothing but stand at that window at all
times when unoccnpied He was sailor,
we learned, whose offence was, he had beat.
en- almost to death comrade for speak
ing slightingly about bis wife. He was in
for three years, six months of " hich had
passed, aud he wss one of the best men in
the prison. They bad found out that he
was mpisbed--that there was no better
barber anywhere; so he was elevated above
his fellows 20 the extent of dignfed po.
silion and the responsibility of razors
He has shaved me many time better
than | could have done it myself Wonld
you like prison shave, gentlemen? said
the warden.
thought there was something quite TAX
ing in the idea and acknowledged myself to
be favorably touched with the PROPOSE
tion
johnson will you shave the gentleman?
said the warden.
threw off my coat, and settled myself
comfortably in the big chair johnson made
grave preparation.
l always hated a razor. 1t was o viii
lainous necessity l wonder if anybody
thinks it delightful, that kissing of the
sharp steel over the cheek, and that low
scrape over the throat with the skin draw n
tight as drum.
When my face was shining with the
soap the warden said:
We will leave you for FIVE minutes, Mr..
-. Is that time enough johnson?
Qnite time enough sir; answered John
son.
The prisoner and were left alone My
companions went away in another direction
from what we had been pursuing, and the
warden swung the door vide open as he |
passed through leaving it unclOsed From
my position ] saw them walk along the top
of the wall, until they came TO a corner
where they spoke little with the officer in
charge. Then they moved on, officer and
all out of sight.
Upon each corner of the prison wall
lie oil III
watch that no attempts at escape are
made.
The moment this one disappeared, | felt
a sort of faint shiver Of the razor on my
lip. Immediately after, my barber ceased
operations, walked lesurey to the door and |
looked out, and returning paused an instant
at the window where we had found him |
when be had entered. Then he came
back to me and resumed bis work. felt |
vaguely alarmed.
Presently the prisoner spoke His voice
was very low, quite whisper, indeed and
he cut his words short. But how distinct
they were.
Do you hear me sir? said be.
Yes, said l.
It's ticklish thing, this shaving isn't it,
said be- But my hand is always steady.
can do what please with razor Just what |
please. BE good enough to keep very
still, very still just now. I'm close on to
large veini you see, right in your neck
Keep very still, and don't stir. know
what would happen, and SO do you, if yoa
stirred or spoke word.
Good God! These were hideous words.
but the glare of the mans eye as he came
round in front Of me was appalling. I cod
not have uttered syllable if had died
otherwise.
Now, said he, listen and don't move, he
Pressed the fiat blade against my throat as
II by way Of warning. | don't like this
cant stand it. I'm gOiagl And so help
me God, if you lift finger to stop me, or
make any noise, both Of US will have to die.
l would little rather not hurt you; but
--rememberl
lie sprang away and caught up my hat
ana coat, which lay near by, still keeping
the razor 10 bis hand. The moment its
fightful contact was removed. my ineriness
vanished. leaped up, siezed the chair
upon which was sitting, and shouted lus-
lily. lie turned upon me like tiger.
Ah, you will have it then! be cried and
rushed toward me-
thrust him aside with the chair and
Hitting u high in the air brought it down
crushing upon him. He sank for second.
bot quickly rose again. He was heavier
than l, and twice as strong, | suppose
Persons who have thus been in positions of
great danger will not be ast3nished TO hear
that forgot after my FIRST cry, to call out
ut all. l only thought of defending myself
This state Of things did not last 9uar.
ter Of a minute lie would have beaten
me dowa soon enough, had 1 not. in sheer
desperation, made use Of a trick which /
nad once before seen successfully employed.
SCI my eyes steadily upon bin, aud stared
wildly into the space behind him. pointing
az the same time behind him, and in the
same direction with my arm. By a loekv
chance pointed TO he window.
! think that movement saved my lie.
he stopped, irresolute, glanced at The