The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1864-04-21
TnE cLosEsr snAvEo or MY LIE.

what closely into their methods OF man
agement and discipline, and have often
seen much to approve; but the prison Of
D--surfasses all the rest. Visitors,
OF whom, very properly, but few are ad
mit,ed, are amazed atths regularity, the
other, aud most singular Of all, the air
Of security ond exceeding quiet that
pTeyS:ls
As we wandered through the cham
bers in the ireer 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 turned
round, his eyes were gIisicnjng with
tears. The warden said hc did but
stand at that window at all times when
he was uhoccupisd. He was a sailor,
we learned, whose oifense wss that he
had beaten almost to death q comyade
for speaking slightingly Of his wife
He wus in for three years. six months OF
which had passed. anil he was ono of
the best men about the prison. They
had found olt that he was accomplished
that there was no better borbor any
where so be wOs elevated above his fel.
lows, to the extent Of dignifcd posi-
lion and the responsibility of razors.
He has shaved me many a time bet.
ter than | could have done It myself
Would you like prison shave gentle
men, said the warden.
l thought there was something quite
taking in the idea, and acknowledged my.
self to be touched favonbly with the
proposition.
johnson, you will shave this gentle
man, said the warden,
threw of my coat, and settled my
self comfortable 10 the big ohaiT,-
johnson made grave preparations,
l always~holcd arasor. II was VII
lainous necessity. l wonder il anybody
thinks ii delightful, hissings ofthe sharp
steel over the cheek, and that slow
sorRpc 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 inmates,
Mr--ls that time enough Johnson?
Quite time enough, sir, answered
Johnsonl
The prisoner and were left alone
Mycompanions went away in another
direction from that We had been pursn,
ing, and the warden swung the door
wide open, as he passed through leaving
it uuclosed From my position, I 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 on, officer and all, Out
Of sight
Upon each corner Of the prison wall
guard is always stationed, well armed
to watch that no attempts at escape are
made, The moment this one disappear,
ed, | felt a sort of faint shiver Of the ra-
zor against my lip. Immediately after
my barber ceased operations, walked
leisurely to the door and looked out, and
returning, paused an instant at tho win
dow, where we had found him when he
had entered. Then he came back TO
me, and resumed his work. l felt va
gueIy alarmed.
Presently the prisoner spoke. His
voice was very low, quite whisper, in
deed, and cut his words short, But how
distinct they were!
DO you hear me, sir9' he asked
Yes sid I.
It's q ticklish thing, this shaving, isn't
il?' lie said. Bat my hand is always
steady. l can do wha, please with a
razOr-just what please, Be good
enough to keep still, very still, Just now,
I'm close on to a large vcin,' you see
right in your neck, keep very sill, and
don stir. know what would happen
and so do YOU ifyou stirred or.spoko .
word
Good God! These were hidcout
words but the glare of the mans eye,
as he came rouad in front of me, was
appalling, could not utter syllable
If had otherwise.
Now, said ho listen, but don't move,
aud he pressed the fat blade against my
throat, as il by way oiwaning, 'Idon't
like this. cant stand it. Tn going
And, so help me God, ii you lif fin
ger to stop me, or make one noise, both
of Us will have TO diel would little
rather not hurt you; but-remember.
He spraug away and caught up my
coat aud hat, which lay near, still keep
ing the razor in his hand. The mo
ment It's frighIful contract wac removed
my iues!nc9s vanished. ! capol up
seized the chair in which had been sit
ting and shouted Justify. He turned
upon me like a tiger,
'Ah, you will have it, thcnP ho cried
and rushed towards me,
l thrust him oside with heavy chair
nnl l;f,;n, ~ birh in tho nir hrnughl Z