The weekly Butte record., 1862-03-15
Recollections Of a London Detective.
THE CLOSEST SHAVE OF Ny LIFE.

q
TEN of administration than any ike institution
have known. l have seen many. and looked
somewhat closely into their methods OF man
agement and discipline, and have often seen
much to approve; but the prison at 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 exceeding quiet that
prevails.
As we wandered through the chambers in
the freer part of the prison, We came to one
/ from the window of which man was looking
so anxiousy that he did not hear US enter.
When he turned round, his eyes were glisten-
ing with tears. The warden said that he did
nothing but stand at that window at all times
when he was unoccupied. He was sailor, we
learned, whose ofense was that he had beaten
almost TO death comraGe for speaking slight
! ingly of his wife. He was 10 for three years.
| six months of which had passed, and be was
| one of the best men about the prison. They
| had found out that he was accomplished-that
there was no better barber anywhere so that
be was elevated above his fellows, to the ex-
tent of digniEed position and the responsible
ity of razors.
He has shaved me many time better
than | could do it myself. Would you ike a
prison shave, gentlemen ?" said the warden.
tborrbt ,bora ,.-o, ro,,a.I;pr o,,;.o Oh
in the idea, and acknowledged myself to be
touched favorably with the proposition.
johnson, you will shave this gentleman" !"
said the warden.
threw off my coat, and settled myself CON-
fortably in the big chair johnson made grave
preparations.
| always hated razor, it is villainous ne
cessity. 1 wonder if any body thinks it de-
lightful, 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 the soap
the warden said
We will leave you for five minutes, Mr.
10 lLdl lIIlt GuOU2u. - OuilSuu
"Quite time enough" answered johnson.
The prisoner and I were left alone My
/ companions went away in another direction
from that we had been pursuing, and the war
den swung the door wide open as be passed
through, leaving it unclosed. From my posi-
tion l saw them walk along the top of the wall
until they came to q corner, where they spoke
a little with the officer in charge. Then they
moved on, 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 sort Of faint sbiv-
er of the razor against my lip. Immediately
after my barber ceased operations walked leis-
urely TO the door and looked out, ard returning.
paused an instant at the window where we
found him when we entered. Then he came
back to me and resumed his work. l felt
vaguly alarmed.
DO you hear me, sir p be asked.
Yes" said l.
It's ticklish thing, this shaving, isn't it ?
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. I'm close to large vein, you
see, right in your neck. Keep very still and
don't stir. know what would happen, and
so do you, if you stirred or spoke a word
Good heavens. These were hideous words,
but the glare of the mans eye, as he came
around in front Of me, was appalling. l could
not have uttered a syllable if had died other
wise.
Now said he, listen, but don't move"
and he pressed the fiat blade against my throat
as if by way of warning. 81 don't like this, l
can't stand it. I'm going, and so help me
God, if you lift finger to stop me, or make
any noise, both Of US will have to die. | would
a little rather not hurt you, but-remember. ="
He spraug away, and caught up my coat
and hat, which lag near, still keeping the razor
in his hand. The moment its frightful contact
was removed, my inertness vanished. leaped
up, seized the chair on which l had been sit
ting, and shouted Justify. Ee turned upon NE
like a tiger.
All, you will have it them" he cried, and
rushed towards me.
thrust him aside with the heavy chair, and
lifting it high in the air, brought it down
crushing upon him. He sank for q second,
but quickly arose again. He was heavier than
l, and twice as strong, l suppose. Persons
who have thus been in positions of great dan
ger, will not be astonished to hear that l for
got, after my first cry, to call out at ALL 1
thought only of defending myself
This state of things did not last quarter Of
minute. He would have beaten me down
/ soon enough had l not. in sheer desperation
made use of a trick which had seen once be-
fore successfully employed. moved my eyes
suddenly from him, aud stared widely into the