Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-12-04
THE MAD BARBER.
! TRAVELLERS STORY.

lily chose that route as the quickest,
Ad n fact, the only available one from
location ct the time.
every one remembers, the trip be-
ION the unfinished points was the one
w. W., to he dreaded--both from the tardi-
nos ~ the conveyance employed and the
In0 me- rough roads which were encoun-
.slad ON the way. So when, after several
saure If ,lnceasing rout and roar, over a
nnOumnaratively easy line, the train stopped
"a The conductor sung out, Cali ready
-. the stagesl" / could see frowns and
~ spring up and diffuse themselves
&, over the countenances surrounding
- With but one memorable exception.
This very fact drew my attention more
narticularly to him, as even my generally
iprooth temper had experienced some
ching of shock at the mere mention of
me vehicles in question.
Turning to me, he remarked: "You
.eem surprised that am not chagrined
md ruined as much as the rest of our i'm
nstient passengers. To tell you the truth"
he continued, in his easy, ready style, 81
have learned to put off unpleasant antici-
nations until the very moment of their
probable visitation. What is the use!"
sid he. looking around with benignant
conntenance upon the ranting, growing
Messengers, who, in their hurry to get out
and secure a comfortable seat, jammed
and pushed on every side; there is no
Doubt more than sufficient accommoda-
tion 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
ihe effort. In fact | must confess that my
temper was little worsted then. But
nshaw! 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
tber adventure or trouble. AS we reached
the temporary platform, accidentally
observed an old gentleman, who had evil
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 saw the least of it. He looked at it in
tently for few minutes, and then, as if
suddenly struck by the magnitude of the
calamity, burst into the most terribly ir-
reyerent denunciation of railroads and
stage-coaches that 1t 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. l would not miss ride
with that old customer for the liveliest
fox chase in the whole of Ingleside." He
evidently was an Englishman.
"But," protested |, "you certainly can
not be in earnest? We would not have
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
ofletting up, and in 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
now had an opportunity of examining
Armadel's features, and / 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 scar, he had certain
ly made narrow escape from death at
some past time. 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 my mind
to approach so painful subject, my at
tention was diverted to the conversation
OF the two passengers opposite US, tete-
a-tete which, singularly enough, led to a
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 a
general discussion with his friend con-
corning economy and the overcoming
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 encoursgingly, and, by an occasional
facial assent to the miners views gradually
ingratated himself into their notice, and
finally ventured TO enter into the CONVEX
sation.
1.-THE trouble" said he. 'is that we are
so careless at times that ii would take a
remarkably stout quality of goods to with
stand it. Would you believer" he con-
unued, III have worn this nose for over
ten years, and. as you see. il gives no signs
OF wearing out yet"
He laughed and replied, 30, that is
very different matter altogether"
no" said Armadel, 81 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
yubber.n
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.