The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-12-04

u
turning to me.
We all gave our consent. He settled
himself into q comfortable position, and
after some little pause began the narrative
of his misfortune. At first was some
what inclined to smile at his seemingly
disinterested manner of treating the mat
ter; but, as his story advanced, he gra-
dually became more earnest, and quite
absorbed my attention, as well as that of
our fellow-passengers. He commenced
thus:
Ten years ago I was residing in Paris,
that is for month or two, for never
stay longer In any place. One evening,
few days before my intended departure,
weary with the almost interminable round
OF dissipation in which I had been in
dulging for some time, and thinking of
no other plan at the time by which I
could relieve the monotony, I started on
stroll, not caring whittier I went nor
feeling any apprehension as to the prob
able whereabouts of its termination. My
Tourney for some time was down one of
the principal boulevards, where the usual
eye on every side. felt keen delight
in my perfect isolation from the world.
Here I was in large city, knowing but q
few persons, and very little probability of
my meeting any of them in so crowded q
thoroughfarc.
$50, perfectly lost within myself, wan.
dered on for about an hour, until at last
began to tire of the never.fagging hustle
and noise which beset me on every side,
and without thinking for q moment,
turned Oft into side street, leading l
knew not whittier. But I was in for it,
and determined to explore it to the end.
At first the shops on either side presented
> brilliant appearance, with their TASTE
fully arranged show-windows and dazzling
mirrors, but as my footsteps advanced,
these signs of refinement and splendor
began to diminish, and the further went
the more dingy and tumble down appear
ance did everything present. A bright
idea struck me; it would be great thing
to lose myself; and, utterly needless, !
turned corner after corner, until l was
lost to my entire satisfaction.
"The sun had now gone down, and here
and there the street lamps were being
lighted, which, if anything, added a more
somber and lonely appearance to every.
thing around me.
"But few persons were stirring on the
street, and they seemed to be very much
absorbed in the all-important matter of
getting home.
Nov and then passed wine-shop,
within which supposed few of their
regular customers were congregated, but
as it was then quite early, none of them
had yet drank sufficient to make them
particularly hilarious. Still ON and on l
went, noticing but little, and apparently
observed by no one.
| $50 completely had become absorbed
| in my own thoughts, that did not notice
gutter which ran across the sidewalk,
and as a very probable consequence, stun
! bled, and was only saved from falling by
the friendly Intervention of lamp post.
Immediately recovered myself, and was
about moving on when was accosted by
man standing in barber-shop:
"'Ah! good evening, sir; you have
nearly met with an accident
eyes returned; but it will teach
me to be more careful, for tonight, at any
rate.'
"tAh you are an Englishman,' said he;
you are very much out of your latitude.
Cannot l do something for your he con-
tinued, with significant scrape with his
hand over his cheek and knowing wink.
"'You have the honor, then, of conduct
ing this establishment" inquired.
Eyes said he; walk in
considered moment, and then con-
| cluded to go in, as must confess that
had to some extent neglected my personsl
appearance fOpsOme days. The shop was
very neatly, if not elegantly fitted up, a
fact which noticed particularly and it
was located in what seemed to me very
obscure neighborhood.
"'Give me your coat said he; take a
seat here. All, mon Dieu! yoa must have
| walked very far-you are perspiring. We
! will wait few minutes; here is q fan.
What in the world could have brought
you here? You must be on the lookout
for adventure; not more likely place in
Paris, assure you, for this is the home of
beautiful Notwithstanding deliciousv
and his eyes wandered heavenward, or
ceilingward, as if vision of fairies had
then and there transfixed him.
40, no. replied you have entirely
mistaken my object
Excuse me; you cannot repress the
curiosity of a Frenchman. Albert said
he, calling to some one in the next room,
are you there?'
"'All right was the answer, which
came in muftled tone through the parti-
ton.
"'Now, we are ready; just little high
er, if you please-there, that is just
right
"He now occupied himself for some
time in spreading the soap over my face,
talking all the time, and apparently in the
merriest mood. When this part of the
labor was finished, he fell to strapping the
razor over his hand at a fearfully rapid
rate; could not help but shudder at his
seeming indifference to the proximity of
such dangerous instrument, and ven
tured to suggest that he was probably en-
dangering himself.
| "'No, no. he replied, mot in the least
at the same time sweeping it from right
to left with a dazzling speed. Finally,
with one lightning stroke, quick touch
on its edge and admiring poise in the air,
he exclaimed, 1T Is all right? and ad-
vanced upon me after the most approved
manner of italian banditti.
1.-THE first touch of the razor was gentle
and reassuring, but he kept up such an in
cessant talking that, in spite of all my ef-
forts, l could not help feeling quite un-
easy. ,~
cat last he finished one side, passed his
hand over 1t, expressed his satisfaction,
and, with one spasmodic movement, jerk
ed my head into the proper position for
shaving the other.
II looked up with the intention of re.
monstrating. What glare there was in
his eyes. Instinctively shudder-
ed, but could not speak word. He held
the razor in his right hand, with the edge
toward me, as in the act of striking. His
gaze was riveted upon me with almost
fiendish intensity. Great heavens! l
thought, if the man be insane, what pos
sibility is there of my escape? I could
not move; it seemed as if were fascina-
ted by his penetrating stare. In an instant
the terrible effect of q razor in an enraged
mans hand flashed through my mind. Of
all weapons in the world, what could be
more dangerous. How powerless would
human flesh be if opposed to its keen,
merciless edge.
"All the time had returned his stare,
my whole being thrilled by the demon in