The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-12
THE MAD BARBER.
\ Travellers story.

Some weeks before the completion of
the Pacific railroad | was called TO San
Francisco on urgent business, and nee
essarily 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 tar
diness Of the conveyance employed and
the terribly rough roads which were en-
countered or the way. So when, after
several hours of Unceasing rout and
roar, over a comparatively easy line, the
train stopped aud the conductor sang
out, "Ajl ready Tor the stages " Icould
see frovns and grimaces spring up and
difiu themselves all over the counte-
nances surrounding me, with but one
memorable exception. This very fact
drew my attention morc particularly to
him, as even my generally smooth tenn
per had experienced something of a
shock at the mere mention of the vehi-
cles in question.
Turning to me. he remarked You
seem surprised that | am not chagrined
AID rufled rs much as the rest of our
impatient passengers. 10 tell you the
truth, " he continued, in his easy, ready
style, " have learned to put off un-
pleasant anticipations until the very
moment Of their probable visitation.
What is the use " said he, looking
around with a benignant countenance
upon the ranting, growing passengers,
who, in their hurry TO get out and secure
comfortable seat, iammed and pushed
on every side there is no doubt more
than sufficient accommodation for twice
as many people. I've been over this
road before, when the gap, instead OF
fifty, was two hundred miles, and you
can imagine how one felt after the eff
fort. In fact | must confess that my
temper was "A little worsted then. But
pshaw what will this little iaunt
amount to? Pretty scenery, magnificent
views, healthy exercise, all for the price
of your fare.
We reoccupied our seats and after q
few moments OF patient waiting, the cal
was cleared, and We got ont without
further adventure or trouble. As We
reached the temporary platform, / acct
IDENTIFY observed an old gentleman who
had evidently spent the most of his time
in the mining districts, make frantic
leap mt the stage door, and in so doing
his coat became entangled in some iron
hooks at the rear Of the stage, and now
presented a very deplorable appearance
TO say the least of it. He looked at il
intently for few moments, and then
IA if suddenly struck with the magni
tude of the calamity, burst into the
most terribly irreverent denunciation o.
railroads and stage-coaches that it has
been my fortune to hear for many day
His companion looked mt him imploring
ly, as he took an adjoining seat, bu
without beneficial result the old fel
lows ire was up, and he was determined
to make the best of it.
"By the way" said my acquaintance
whose name was Armadel, " this is jus
the thing for us. / would not miss
ride with that old customer for the live
hest fox chase in the whole of Ingle
side" He was evidently an English
man.
But" protested I, "you certainl,
cannot be in earnest We shall no
have a moments peace the whole way.
"Indeed / am, he replied don
you mind that little exhibition he i
luct like any other OVerneated Doller-
his steam must escape. This won't las
long
And even as he spoke, the miner, TO
50 we shall consider him, gave evlden
signs Of letting up, and in few mo
ments had quite subsidized, with the ex
ception of an occasional grunt.
We now turned our attention to get
hing our baggage aboard, which wa
accomplished in few moments. w,
then got into the coach with, l acknowl
edge, some fears on my part as to tn,
possibility of our neighbors proving
pleasant company.
] now had an opportunity of cxamin
ing Armadel's features, and fear tina
the impression produced upon me at tn,
time was anything but favorable still
his vivacity and evident reconcilablenes
to unpleasant circumstances went ia.
toward restoring him to my confidenc'
and consideration.
What most surprised me about hi
countenance was deep line or scar
extending from the lower part of hi
right eye entirely across his cheek, dis