The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-08-20
EBENsBURG, PA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1868.
A NARRovv ESCAPE.

In the month of October, 1928, my
vessel was lying III Mobile. l Iwent ashore
one bright morning to do some business
with the house to which l was consigned,
and as passed along the street, it occar~
red to me that might as well have
beard Of weeks growth reaped before l
presented myself at the countin9>room.
l stepped into BARRIERS shop, and taking
a chair told the barber TO proceed.
He was bright mulatto, good look
ing young fellow, not more than two and
twenty years of age, it appeared. His
eyes were large, black and lustrous, l
thought. HIS manner at first was quiet
and respectful. l thought he was Il long
while lathering my face, and told him he
must have bought his soap at Wholesale
price. Laughing he replied that mine
was long beard, and that he knew what
he was about
care you the boss here, my man g.
asked.
eyes" he answered, "my master set
me up, and l pay him twenty dollars a
month for my time"
THAT is good interest on the capital
invested" remarked; scan you pay your
rent and live on the balance Of your saw
ings 2"
"Oh, yes, and lay up something be
sides. Sometimes i receive thirty bits a
day"
Then I suppose you will buy your
freedom one of those days 60
Gas for that he replied, II care little.
have All the liberty want, and enjoy
my self as l 60 along
''But should you marry and have chill
dren, you would not want ;hem to be
! slaves
Eyes would, because they would be
better off than if they were free
BY This time he laid down the brush
and commenced running the razor over
| the strop, and looking al the blade every
| time he drew it across the leather. His
! hand trembled little, and his eyes abso-
| lutely burned like Goals Of fire. | did not
/ feel uneasy, but could not avoid watching
! him closely
AT last he commenced shaving me-
/ My head being thrown back, L was able
to keep my eyes fixed directly on his own.
| Why | did SO | cannot tell certainly l
! apprehended nothing, but did not remove
! my gaze for a single instant while the ra-
zor was passing over my neck and throat.
! He seemed 10 grow more and more un-
easy; his eyes were as bright but not as
! steady as when / first observed them. He
| could not meet my fixed and deliberate
look. AS he commenced shaving my chin,
he said abruptly
BARRIERS handle deadly weapon, sir. "
True enough, my man." l replied,
"but you handle yours skillfully, although
| notice your hand shakes little
'That's nothing, sir L can shave just
as well. My hand shakes because L did
not have much sleep last night. But
was thinking just now," he added, with a
laugh, chow easy it would be for me to
cot your throat"
every likely" replied, laughing in
return, but looking sternly at him-''very
likely, yet would not advise you to Try
the experiment.
Nothing more was said. He soon FIN
ished, and arose from the chair, just al
an elderly gentleman entered the shop
The last conner divested himself of his Goa
and cravat, and took the seat had vaca
led.
went to the glass, which did not re-
fleet the chair, TO arrange my collar
Certainly had not stood before it a mo
ment when l heard something like sup
pressed shrek aud a gurgling horrible
sound that made my blood run cold.
turned and there-great God there sa
the unfortunate gentleman covered witt
blood, his throat cut from ear to ear, snc
the barber, now raying maniac, dash
ing his razor with tremendous violence
into The mangled neck.
On the instant the mans eye caught
mine, the razor dropped from his hand
and he fell down in fit. ] rushed to
wards the door and called for assistance
The unfortunate man was dead before
reached the chair.
We secured the barber, who, as l sub
sequently learned. had been drinking deep
ly the night before, and was laboring un
der mania potu. His state never heard