The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-08-05

was continually staring MIN in the face.
1t is impossible to conceive an idea of the
poor barbers anguish. He seemed TO be
within circle of some enchanter, from whose
power he could not tear himself away. His
strength was now nearly exhausted. He had
no will of his own, and each movement OF
his body was made in direct opposition to
what he wished to do. Did he stop mo-
ment, the eternal "Lather away'' resounded
in his ears; if he made an effort to lay hold
of his razor, he was recalled by the same
shout; and if he refused to shave, he ran the
risk of being shaved himself.
Lather away" cried the stranger, in a
stentorian voice, thrusting his fingers in the
curls of his thick black hair, and opening, in
his laughter, a mouth capable of swallowing
the full moon.
" I can do no more" said the barber, at
last, letting his hands fall by his side through
sheer fatigue.
I" You can't go on do you say, my old fell
low pll cure you of that. Here, swallow
a few drops of this miraculous liquor, the
elixir of Mephistopheles, the friend of Doc
tor Faust"
Thus speaking, he drew forth from his
pocket bottle of red liquor, uncorked it,
and before the barber could frustrate his de-
sign, obliged him to swallow the one-half
Now lather away" cried he; there is
nothing better than that"
Dumbfounded by the rapidity of this ac-
ton, the poor man had not the time TO re-
feet, and dipping the brush in the soap box,
he continued as before. Warmed by what he
had swallowed, he felt new vigor in all his
limbs while the little man never ceased for
a moment his cry of Lather away" at the
same time twisting and grinning in a terrible
manner.
We have said that the college clock had
struck ten. Three-quarters of an hour had
already elapsed, and midnight was approach
ing. The barber continued his endless task,
and the stranger his eternal vociferations.-
The " Lather away, my old fellow" was con-
stantly on his lips, accompanied regularly
with profound sigh of despair issuing from
the BARRIERS breast. Finally, the obscurity
became so great that the latter could scarcely
see his brush and soap-box. The lamp, after
having thrown out one or two flashes of its
glimmering light, like dying meteor, finally
went entirely out. A few red Goals alone YET
remained in the CRATE, giving forth but lit,
tie light and less warmth. The room was
lighted only by the pale rays of the moon
The anguish of the barber augmented with
the obscurity. His hand could scarcely hole
the brush that he used at hazard, sometimes
touching and other times missing the strang
er's face. But notwithstanding that the OBJ
scurity was complete, and that the college
clock had struck twelve, the latter showed NJ
signs of fatigue. His eternal refrain was still
Lather away.'' Another half hour passed
away. and the terrible and supernatural tone.
of the little man became less piercing. HI
appeared to go asleep, and his Lather away
was repeated at longer intervals and in low
voice.
A little while afterward he seemed to be il
a deep sleep, as he commenced to snore From
time to time, long murmur, "Lather away
broke forth from his breast as from the depth
of tomb. Even the plaster-a- Paris head
with wigs seemed to murmur the same sylla
bles, in the same tone, and with the sam
slowness.
A cloud having eclipsed the moon, tn
room was thrown into the obscurity of nigh
itself, and the barber was seized with an i'm
preston of terror that defies description.
His door opened toward the cemetery O
the college, environed on all sides by hig1
walls, and which was regularly shut ever
night All tended to render his position NOR
and more fearful. -t.-.rg.
The barbers perplexity had reached it
highest point. What he suffered was iudee
beyond his strength to bear, and he felt as
he was about to fall fainting upon the foo
Nevertheless, his sufferings gave him littl
courage, and, turning suddenly on his hee
he directed his steps rapidly toward the doc
with the intention of escaping.
But, alas scarcely had he made fe,
steps toward the sill, before cry of Lathe
away" yelled in louder tones than ever, fe
on his ears, like a. thunder-bolt, and cause
him to stand rooted to the spot. His resolr
tion was shaken, and returning to his task, h
continued to wet the little mans beard. g.
Tt was then thatthe cries of that individu
became more violent than they had ever bee
during the whole preceding half hour. I s.
His sleep seemed to have been Interrupts
and he RECOMMENDED, with an indescribab
vigor, his former system of singing, whistlin
and laughing in a most horrible manner
/" Lather away cried he, with his insu]
portable chuckle; "you're not tired, hop
my old fellow?. Do you want second po
ton of my elixir ?'' -, /.
ave have more need of light than elixir
answered the barber, with great effort to con
mand himself.
"Well, then lather away; We will not
in want of light. Here's two that will su
fce." re.,,..5rs s.s
The barber started and stepped backwa
III terror. w ny snoulu ue nave uoAe otHe
wise In the midst of the surrounding dar
ness, he beheld two frightful burning eye
that were fixed upon him. They were t
little mans. Their brightness resembled t
] fearful light which surrounds spectres tn
wander in, the cemetery at night. Und
their fire, his cheeks, as much as the so
would permit of their color to be seen, b
came of the deepest dye of red; his thi
hair seemed to be transformed into black 81
pents, and when he laughed, the interior
his mouth and the depths of his throat