The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-12-04
THE MAD BARBER.
A TRAVELLERS STORY.

THE MAD BARBER.
A TRAVELLERS STORY.
Some weeks before the completion OF
the Pacific Railroad, l was called to San
Francisco on urgent business, and neces-
sarily chose that route as the quickest,
and, in fact, the only available one from
my location at the time
AS every one remembers, the trip be.
tween the unfinished points was the one
most to be dreaded-both from the tardi.
ness of the conveyance employed and the
terrible rough roads which were encoun.
tered on the way. So when, after several
hours OF unceasing rout and roar, over q
comparatively easy line, the train stopped
and the conductor sung out, "All ready
for the stages" could see frowns and
grimaces spring up and diffuse themselves
all over the countenances surrounding
me, with but one memorable exception.
This very fact drew my attention more
particularly to him, as even my generally
smooth temper had experienced some
thing Of shock at the mere mention of
the vehicles in question.
Turning to me, he remarked: "You
seem surprised tina. am not chagrined
and rutfied as much as the rest of our i'm
patient passengers. To tell you the truth, !"
he continued, in his easy, ready style, IL
have learned to put off unpleasant antici-
pations until the very moment of their
probable visitation What is the use ?"
said he, looking around with benignant
countenance upon the ranting, growing
passengers, who, in their hurry to get out
and secure comfortable seat, jammed
and pushed on every side; ''there is no
doubt more than sufficient accommoda-
ton for twice as many people. I've been
over this road before, when the gap, in.
stead OF fifty, was two hundred miles, and
You can well imagine how one felt after
the effort. In fact must confess that nv
temper was little worsted then. But
pshaw! what will this little jaunt amount
to? Pretty scenery. magnificent views,
healthy exercise. all for the price Of your
fare"
We reoccupied our seats, and after a
few moments of patient waiting the car
was cleared, and we got out without fur
Their adventure or trouble. As We reached
the temporary platform, l accidentally
observed an old gentleman, who had evi.
IDENTIFY spent most of his time in the min.
ing districts, make frantic leap at the
stage door, and in so doing his coat be-
came entangled in some iron hooks at
tached to the rear of the stage, and now
presented very deplorable appearance,
to say the least of it. He looked at it in.
tently for few minutes, and then, as il
suddenly struck by the magnitude Of the
calamity, burst into the most terribly ir-
reverent denunciation of railroads and
stage-coaches that it has been my fortune
to hear for many a day. His companion
looked at him imploringly, as he took an
adjoining seat, but without beneficial re-
suit; the old fellows ire was up, and he
was bent on making the best of it.
by the way" said my acquaintance,
whose name was Armadel, this is Just the
thing for US. I would not miss a ride
with that old customer for the liveliest
fox chase in the whole of Ingleside." He
evidently was an Englishman.
But" protested I. "you certainly can.
not be in earnests I'VE would not have a
moments peace the whole way"
"Indeed am" he replied; don't you
mind that little exhibition; he is just like
any other overheated boiler-his steam
must escape. This won't last long"
And even as he spoke, the miner, for so
we shall consider him, gave evident signs
of letting up, and in a few minutes had
quite subsidized, with the exception of an
occasional grunt.
We now turned our attention to getting
our baggage aboard, which was accom-.
plished in few moments. We then got
into the coach with, acknowledge, some
fears on my part as to the possibility OF
our neighbors proving pleasant company.
l now had an opportunity of examining
Armadel's features, and l fear that the
impression produced upon me at the time
was anything but favorable; still his
vivacity and evident reconcilableness to
unpleasant circumstances went far to.
ward restoring him to my confidence and
consideration.
What most surprised me about his
countenance was deep line or scar, ex.
tending from the lower part of his right
eye entirely across his cheek, disappearing
under his chin. If a scar, he had certain.
~ made narrow escape from death at
some past time. l felt an almost irresisti.
BILE desire to inquire into his past history.
and especially as to the accident mention.
ed, but before could make up nv mind
to approach so painful a subject, my at.
tention was diverted to the conversation
OF the two passengers opposite us, tete-
a-tete which, singularly enough, led to q
solution of the very problem over which
/ had been puzzling myself.
The old fellow had evidently broken
out afresh, but instead of ranting, had
quietly merged his indignation into q
general discussion with his friend con.
corning economy and the ever.recurrinq
necessity of new suit of clothes. Arma,
del had also become interested, and seemed
very much amused at the earnest manner
and emphatic CALCULATIONS of the miner.
As soon as he paused Armadel looked
over encouragingly, and, by an occasional
facial assent to the miners views gradually
ingratiated himself into their notice, and
finally ventured to enter into the CONVEX.
sation.
THE trouble" said he, sis that we are
so careless at times that it would take q
remarkably stout quality of goods to with
stand 1t. Would you believer" he con-
tinued, II have worn this nose for over
ten years, and, as you see, it gives NO signs
of wearing out yet"
He laughed and replied, 20, that is a
very different matter altogether"
mo-" said Armadel, II am not Joking.
Look closely and you will see that the
greater part of my nose is artificial; in
short, nothing more nor less than India
rubber"
So, upon looking more closely, we saw
that he really spoke the truth, as the juno
ton was very distinct, the India rubber
being held in position by some artificial
means.
"Ifyou would like to hear the history
OF that accident ! am at your service.