Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-09-03
kaIs AHEuus.
SHAVING A MILLIONAIRE,

Everyhody who lives in New Jersey will
recoilect Billy Gibbons, the millionaire. He
was an eccentric man, and numerous stories
are told of his freaks. Here is one of them
1t seems that Billy, while in country vii,
iage, in which he owned some property,
stepped into barber's shop to get shaved,
The shop was full, of customers, and the old
gentleman quietly waited for his turn.
customer, who was under the barber's
hands when the old gentleman came in, asked
the "knight of the razor" in an undertoue. If
he knew who that was and. on receiving
negative reply. ho informed him, in whisper.
1t was "Old Billy Gibbons, the richest man
in the State"
"Gad," said the barber, "I'll charge him
for his shave"
Accordingly, after the old man had that
operation performed, he was somewhat sur
prlsed upon asking the price to be told
''seventy-fve cents"
.. ''Seven'y>ive !" said he, quietly,
'isn't that rather high price ?"
"lt's my price," said he of the latherbrush
Independently; land as this is the only bar
ber's shop in the place, them as comes into it
must pay what ASK
To the old man this was evidently knock.
down argument, tor he drew three quarters of
dollar from his pocket, paid them over to
the barber, and left the shop.
a short time after he was in close couver.
sation with the landlord of a tavern hard bv
and the topic of conversation was .barbers'
shops"
''Why is it," said he, "there's only one
barber's shop in;the town? There seems to
be nearly enough work for two
"Well there used to be two" said the land.
lord, "till last winter. when this new man
came up from the city and opened new shop.
and as everything in it was fresh and new.
folks sort of deserted Bill -Harrincton's shop,
which had, been going on for nigh fourteen
years"
''But didn't this Bill do good work ? didn't
he shave well, and-cheap?"
"Well, as for that" said the landlord.
''Bill did hislwork we'll enough, bu. his shop
wasn't on the main street. like the new one.
and didn,t have SO many, pictures and hand
some curtains, and folks got in the wav of
thinking the new chap was more scientific and
brought more city fashions with him. thouoh
to tell the truth" said the landlord. striking
chin sown with beard resembling screen
wire, ri never want a lighter touch or
keener razor than Bill Harrington's."
CITY tashions-eh ?" growled the old man.
$50 the new mans city fashions shut up the
other barbers shop 2"
"Well, not exactly" said the landlord
"though things never did seem to 90 well with
Bill after the new shop opened, FIRST. one of
his little children died of fever; then his
wife was sick a long time, and Bill had big
bill to pay at the Doctors; then, as last
misfortune, his shop burned down one night.
tools, brushes, furniture, and all, and no in,
surance."
"Well," said the old man, pettishly, "wh7
don't he start again 2"
"Start again!' said the communicative land.
lord; "why, bless your soul, he hasn't got
any thing to start with"
"H-m-m! Where does this man live !"
asked the old man..
He was directed, and ere long was in con-
versation with the unfortunate tonsor, who
corroborated the landlords story.
"Why don't you take a new shop?" said
the old man "there's new one in the block
right opposite the other barber's shop"
"What! y said the other, ''you must be
crazy"
"Why, that block belonging to old Billy Glib
bons !; he'd never let one of these stores for
bsrber's shop; they are a mighty sight too
good; besides that, | haven. got twenty dol
lars in the world to fit it up with"
"You don't know old Billy Gibbons as we'll
as do" said the other. ..Now listen to me.
IF you can have that shop all fitted up. rent
free, what will you work in it for bv the
month THAT is the least you can live on 7n
This proposition somewhat startled the nm.
fortunate hair dresser, who finally found words
70 stammer out that perhaps twelve or fifteen
dollars month would be about enough.
Pshaw :. said the old man, ''that won't
90. Now listen to me-l'll give you that
store, rent free, one year, and engage your
serYlces Six mnnfhs all nn sla.. sHS...,:.c--.