The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-03-27
Tbg Closest shave OF nay Life.
BY A LONDON DETECTIVE.

than any similar institution / nave
known. / have seen many, and look
ed somewhat closely into their meth,
DDS of management and discipline, land
have often seen much to approve but
the prison at D. surpasses all the
rest. Visitors, Of whom, very proper
". but few are admitted, are amazed at
the regularity, the order, and most sin
gular of all, the air Of security and Or
der and quiet that prevails.
As we wandered thro' the chambers
in the freer part of the prison, we came
to one, from the window OF which a
man was looking so anxiously that he
did not hear US enter. When he turn
ed round his eyes were giistenlng with
tears. The warden said he did nothing
but stand at that window at all tunes
when unoccupied. He was a sailor,
we learned, whose ofense was that ne
had beaten almost to death q comrade
for speaking slightingly about his WIFE
He was in for three years, SIX months
of which had passed, and he was one
of the best men ir the prison. Ihey
had found out that he was accomplish
ed-thsre was no better barber any
where: SO he was elevated above his
fellows. to the extent Of a dignlted po-
sition and the responsibility OF razors.
"He has shaved me many time
better than I could have done it my
self. Would you like a prison shave
gentleman % said the warden.
thought there was something quite
taking in the idea, and acknowledged
myself touched favorably with the
proposition. " johnson, will you shave
this gentleman ?'' said the warden.
] brew off my coat, and settled my
systematically in the big chair. John
son made grave preparations.
I always hated a razor. 1t was
villainous necessity. wonder If any.
body thinks it delightful, that Kissing
of the sharp steel over the cheek, and
that slow scrape over the throat, with
the skin drawn drum tight.
When my face was shining with
goap, the warden said
1--WE will leave you for Eve minutes
Mir Is that time enough John
son ~
"Quite time enough, sir, answered
Johnson.
The prisoner and / were left alone
NV companions went away in another
direction from that we had been pur'
suing, and the warden swung the door
wide open as he passed through, leav
ing it Enclosed. From my position
saw them walk along the top OF the
wal, until they came to er,wher'
they spoke little with the officer IL
charge. Then they moved on, office
and all out Of sight
Upon each corner ofthe prison wal
a guard is always stationed, we'll arm
ed. to watch that no attempts at es
cape are made. The moment this on
disappeared, I felt a sort of fam
shiver of the razor against my lip. I'm
mediately after,my barber ceased ope
rations. walked loisurely to the doc
and looked out, and returning, pause(
an instant at the Windoy where W.
found him when we had entered. Thel
he came back to me and resumed hii
work. | felt vaguely alarmed.
Presently the prisoner spoke. Ill
voice was very low, quite whisper
indeed, and he cut his words short
But how distinct they We're !
"Do you hear me, sir" he asked.
g" Yes" said !.
cts a ticklish thing this shaving
isn't it p said rs. 4" But my hand /
always steady. can do what pleas
with q razor-iust what please. B
good enough TO keep still, very stiI
lust now. Pm close on to a large vein
You see, right in your neck. kee
very still, and don't stir. / kno1
what would happen, and so do yoes,
you stirred or spoke a word"
Good God These were hideou
words; but the glare of the mans eye
as ne came round front of me, was ap
palling. I could not have uttered
syllable if had died otherwise.
" Now" said he, listen, but don
move," he pressed the blade agains
my throat, as if by way of warning
q don't like this. I can't stand i
I'm going! And so help me God,
you lift q finger to stop me, or max
one noise, both of US viii have to die
| would little rather not hurt you
but-remember :"
He sprang away and caught up N
hat and coat,which lay near, still keel
ing the razor in his hand. The me-
ment It's frightful contact was remoy
ed, my inertness vanished. / leape
up, seized the chair in which | ha
been sitting, and shouted Justify. II
turned upon me like 4 tiger.
"Ah, you will have it, then !" b
cried, and rushed towards me.
l thrust him aside with the heav
chair, and lifting it high in the al
brought il down crashing upon hin
He sank for a second, but quickly ros
again. He was heavier than |, an
twice as strong, | suppose. Person
who have thus been in positions {
great danger viii not be astonished t
hear that l forgot, after my first CRY
TO call out at all. l thought only {
defending myself.
This state of things did not last
quarter of a minute. He would hay
beaten me down soon enough, had
not, in sheer desperation, made use {
trick which l had once before see
successfully employed. I moved m
eyes from him, and started wildly int
the space behind him, pointing at tn
same time behind him, and In the sam
direction with my arm. BY luck
chance l pointed to the window.
L think that movement saved m
life.
He stopped, irresolute, glanced a
the window, flung his hands over hi
head, gasped as if be were choking
and, dashing the razor against tn
stone wall, fell trembling upon hi
knees stepped swiftly across til
floor, he called to me:
Don't go, don't go!' he sale