St. Mary's gazette., 1865-05-25
TIE CLOSEST SHAVE OF MI LIFE.
BIZ a LONDON HRTkCrlvg. b

The prison of DIS, every. way
considered, under better organization
aud suser systen, of administration, than
any similar institution | have known. !
have seen many. and looked somewhat
closely into their meth DDS of management
and discipline, and have often seen much
to approve: but thsprison of D--sur-
passes all the rest Visitors, of whom We
~ properly. bat few are admitted, are
amazed at the regularity. the order. and
most singular Of all. the air of security md
quiet that prevails there.
As we wandered through the chambers
in the frecr part OF the prison, we came TO
one from the window of which m4n was
looking so snxiou.ly that he did NOT hear
us ntcr.-Wheu he turned around his
eyes were glisteLing with tears. The War
den said he did nothing but stand at that
window at all tiulcs when unoccupicd. He
was that he had beaten comrade almost
TO death for speaking lightly about his wife.
He was in for three years, Elk months Of
which had passed, and be- Was one Of the
best men in the prison. They found out
that he was accomplishcd-tEat there was
no better barber anywhere; so he was Gle
waited above his fellows to digniicl posi-
ton aud the responsibility of razors.
He has shaved me many time, bet
ter thnn could have done it myself
Would you like prison shave!' said the
Warden
thought there was something quite ta-
kirg in the idea. and acknowledged myself
touched favorably with the proposition.
Johnson, will you shave this gentle
man, said the Warden.
threw off my coat and settled myself
comfortably in the big chair. Johnson
,nsdc grave preparations.
alway. hated razor. 1t was a villa
innus necessity. I wonder if anybody
thinks it delightful. that hissiug ut sharp
steel over the check. and that slow scrapc
over the throst, with the skin drawn
tight.
When my face was shining with soap.
the Warden said
I'VE will leave you for five minutes,
Mr. D Is that time enough. Mr.
Johnson!'
Quite time enough, sir" answered
Johnson.
The pr;;sol 9: aud wre left alone. Ny
companions went away in another dirrc-
ton from what we bad hocn pursuing, and
the Warden swung III" door wide open as
he passed through. aud left it so. From
my position. saw item walk along on
the t"p Of the wall. until they came to u
corner, where they spoke little with the
officers in charge. ard then moved or.
oilccr and all. out of sight. Upon each
corner Of The prison wall guard ID always
stationed. well armed, to watch that no at
tc,npts to escape are naac. The moment
this one disappeared I felt sort Of faint
shiver of the razor against my lip. Imnc-.
diatcly after, my barber ceased operations.
wslkcd icisurcly to the door aud locked out
ard returning, paused al instant at the
window where We found him when We en-
tered. The b" came back to me and re-
.un.ci his work. felt vaguely alarm
cd.
Presently the prisoner spoke. His voice
was very low. quite q whi.rer. indeed. aud
he cut his words short. But how distinct
thoy were.
Did you hear me. sir 2" he asked
"Yrs" said |.
1T is q teklish thing. this shaving.
isn't i; :" he said but my hand is al,
ways steady can DO what please
with razor-jsss what please BE
good enough to keep still. very still. just
now, l'm cluse on to large vein, you
see. righ, j" your ueck. Keep very still,
and don't stir know what would happen,
aud so DO you, if you should stir or speak
word"
Good God. these were hideous words,
hut the glare of the mau's eye as he came
around in front of me was more appaling
could not have uttered u word had I died
otherwise.
Now" said be, ''listen but don,
move" and he pressed the fat blade
against my throat as il in waruihg. 81
don't like this cant stand it; I'm 60.
ing And SO help inc God, if you lif,
your finger to stop me. or make amy noise
both of us must die. l would a litil.
rather nos hurt yor but-remcmber
lie sprang away and caught up my
coat aud sat which lay near. still keeping
the razor in bis hand The mouen, it,
frightful contact was removed. my inert
ne>s vanished. l lesped up aud Seized
the chair in witch bad been sitting, aud
shouted hastily. lie ,urusd upon me Ik,
tiger
I ''Ah, you will have it then he cried
and rushed towards me. thrust hiu
aside with the heavy chair. and lifting il
high in the air brought it down crushing
upon him. He saLk for a s.cond buI
nimbly rose again. He was mu"h heavier
than |, and twice as strong. | suppose
persons who have thus been in position. o.
great danger will not be astonished &
hear that | thought oaly o. dcf.nIing my.
. .,.iF