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

think impossible.
The barber became alarmed at this and not
without good cause, for the man had placed
himself, his fists resting on his thighs, and his
eyes darting forth flashes of lightning, in
most hostile attitude and the poor barber,
without knowing exactly what he was doing
placed his strop and razor upon the mantel-
piece
Do you presume to insult me in my own
house p: murmured he, with all the courage
he could command.
BLOOD and thunder! who talks of insult
ing you !? want to be shaved. What is
there SO unusual in that ?''
al shave no one after ten o'clock,'' replied
the barber; "and what is more, I work only
for the professors and students zof the Uni
versity. l am strictly forbidden to exercise
my industry on the face or. head of any other,
with the exception of the reverend Doctor
Heiligcn Auhelat and the academical senate"
"The Doctor HeiIigen Auhelet!" repeated
the other, with smile of contempt; "and
who the devil may that be Pr
2 at is the Prefect of the University and
the Professor of Moral Philosophy" replied
the barber, greatly scandalzed at hearing that
learned doctor sloken of in such terms.
"And what it is that ass Auhelat who
gives such orders I haven't time to stop
here all night, and have only one thing to
say to you; that is, if you don't shave me,
it will be myself who will shave you, and in
my own way, mind you. Now, just keep
that in mind, and see what you have to DO"
And suiting the action TO the word, he stretch
ed out his hand, seized the barber by the
nose, and sat him down in the chair he had
himself abandoned.
The other was for moment thunder
struck by the rapidty of the movement He
gazed with Il look of anger and surprise upon
the author of this audacious action, and it
was only when feeling the cold and humid
impression of the "shaving -brush'' over his
face, that he seemed to understand how he
was situated He endeavored to rise, but he
was Immediately thrust back into his place
by the vigorous and infexible arm of the 1T
tie man. He had no other resource than to
turn his head from right to left to avoid the
fatal brush but his efforts were useless His
forehead, nose, cheeks, and ears were be-
smeared with the soapy matter. When he
endeavored to cry out his efforts were attend
ed with no better success; for the indefatiga-
BILE little man filled his mouth with the lath-
er, and continued on with more energy than
ever. With one hand he held his victim by
the throat; with the other, armed with the
brush, laughing the while, and enjoying with
the greatest relish the scene before him, he
continued the operation.
Finally, the barber succeeded in articulat-
ing few words. 1t was to cry for mercy
with all his strength, promising to shave his
oppressor at any hour and at any place he
would wish, Notwithstanding the commands
of Doctor Heilgen Auhelat and the academi-
cal senate. This declaration afforded him a
little relief. He arose trembling in every
limb. His first care was to relieve himself of
the lather that attested his humiliation, while
the little man seated himself TRANQUILITY in
the chair, splitting his sides laughing. The
stupe6ed barber prepared his instruments for
the operation he was to perform, although in
very different manner, upon the person of
his adversary. He prepared slowly, thus Civ
ing himself time to recover from the shock
he had experienced. r
Now that everything was ready, the razor
sharpened, he tied towel under the chin of
his new customer; and just as he was about
to apply the lather on the chin, the stranger
exclaimed: Stop!'
The barber, terrified as thief caught in the
act of stealing, took few steps backward,
gazing at the other with terror that he in
vain endeavored to conceal.
Now take care, don't cut my throat" said
the stranger, in a loud voice
"My station in life is to cut Boards and not
throats," humbly replied the barber.
Certainly, certainly; but am not obliged
to believe you on your word of honor; so I
tell you to take care. If you cut my throat,
Ill blow your brains out, that's all.'' And
stuffing his hand down into one of his large
pockets, he drew forth a revolver, pulled up
the trigger, and placed it on a chair at his
side. , ..s -.- ...--4 t... r.
"Now commence" continued he, "and
mind well, that if you scratch my chin the
least bit iii the world, or if you leave on it a
single hair, I'll break your head. Now you
are duly admonished." s .ssa.a
The sight of this terrible weapon augment
ed, as is easily understood, the terror of the
barber. His hand trembled like leaf while
he commenced to prepare the soap, and he
employed ten times more time to lather the
strangers face than he had ever done before
on any occasion. He hesitated to touch the
mans chin with his razor, and chose rather tc
lather on Indefinitely than to run the risk O.
receiving bullet in his head This delay
was of great use to him, and afforded his hanc
time to recover its steadiness. The strange
seemed to have nothing to say against it OIL
the contrary, his good -humor seemed to aug
ment under the gentle rubbing of the brush
/ and commencing to whistle gaily, he threw
the lather from his lips into the barber's fac
e with an appearance of sincere satisfaction.
i Already half an hour had elapsed since tn
i latter had commenced operations, and he wa
e still at the preliminary occupation of "lath
ering," which seemed to be so agreeable t
:, the little man; for, far from complaining a
S the long time he occupied in doing this, h
n continued to whistle and hum to himself q
n the great displeasure of the poor barber, VIII
IS did not find it small difficulty to draw b
e brush lightly over SO restless a physiognom,
d. 1t was. now nearly three=nnarters of a