The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-04-02
The Closest Shave Of My Life.

The prison at D is eve way cou-
/ sidered uudcr better organized and surer
system of administration than any similar
institution | have known. | have seen
many, and looked somewhat closely into
! their methods of management and dlscl
! plne, and have often seen much TO ap-
prove; but the prison at D surpas
ses 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 Or
der and quiet that prevail.
As we wandered through the chambers
III the freer part of the pri-on, we came
10 one, from the window # which nan
was iouking SO anxiou>ly that he did not
hear us enter When he turned round
| his eyes were g'istened With tears. The
warden said that he did nothing but
stand at that window at all tines when
unoccupled He was Sall,r, we learned
whose offence was that he had bca'en al
most to death a comrade for speaking
>Iightingly about his wife He was in
for three years, six months of which had
passed, and he was Que OF the best men
in the prison. They had found out that
! he was accunlplished--that there was no
better ban Der anywhere SO he was ele-
waited above lis fellows, to the extent of a
dignifed position aud the responsibility
of razors.
"He has shaved me many time bet
ter than could have d,ne mySeif-
Would you like PRISON shave, geutle
men p said the warden.
| | thought there was something quite
taking in the idea, and acknowledged my
self to be touched favorAbly with the
proposition. ..
johnson. will you shave this gentle.
lnan ?" said the warden. -.
/ I threw off my coat. and settled my
self comfortably in the big chair. John
son made grave preparations.
/ | always hated razor. it was a vii
lainous necessity. wonder if anybody
thinks it delightful, that Kissing of the
sharp steel over the cheek, aud that slow
scrape over the throat, with the skin
drawn drum tight.
/ When my face was shining with the
soap, the warden said -
I'VE will leave you for five minutes,
Mr. Is that time enough JonnSon p
Quite tiwe enough, slr," answered
johnson.
The prisoner and I were left alone
Ny companions went away in another di
rection from that we had been pursuing,
and the warden swung the door wide open
as he passed through, leaving it unclosed
From INV 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 Oil,
officer and all, out of sight.
Upon each corner of the prison wall a
guard is always stationed, well armed, to
watch that no attempts at escape are
made The moment this one disappeared,
| felt a sort Of faiut shiver Of the razor
against my lip. immediately after, my
barber ceased operations, walked leisurely
to the door and looked out. and return
ing, paused an instant at the window
where we had found him when we had
entered Then he came back to me and
resumed his work. felt vaguely alarm
ed ..
Presently the prisoner spoke. His
voice was very low, quite whisper, in,
deed, and he cut his words short But
how distinct they w,re!
do you hear me, sir?" he asked.
"Yes," said l.
"It's ticklish thing this shaving, isn't
it p said he. But my hand is always
steady, l can do what | please with
razor-just what | please BE good
enough to keep still, very still just now.