The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-12
ceilingward, as if vision of fairies had

ceilingward, as if vision of fairies had
then and there transfxed him.
"'O no, Ireplied, You have entirely
mistaken my object.
Excuse me; you cannot repress
the curiosity of n Frenchman. Albert,
said he, calling to some one in the next
room, are you there p
SO All right, was the answer, which
came in muffled tone through the par
tition.
SO Now, we are ready; just a little
higher, 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
his labor was finished, he fell to strap
ping the razor over his hand Mt a fear
fully rapid rate L could not help but
shudder at his seeming Indifference to
the proximity of such dangerous in
strument, and ventured to suggest that
he was probably endangering himself.
No, no, he replied, not in the
least, at the same time sweeping it from
right TO left with 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 advanced upon me after
the most approved manner of italian
banditti.
"The first touch of the razor was
gentle and reassuring, but he kept up
such an incessant talking that in spite
of al my efforts L could not help feeling
quite uneasy.
"At last he finished one side, passed
his hand over it, expressed his satisfac-
ton, and, with one spasmodic movement,
jerked my head into the proper position
for shaving the other.
81 looked up with the intention of
demonstrating. My God what glare
there was in his eyes. Instinctively /
shuddered, but could not speak a 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 fendish intensity. Great
heavens | thought, if the man be in
sane, what possibility is there OF
my escape L could not move {;
it seemed as if 1 were fasci-
mated by his penetrating stare. In
an instant the terrible effect of razor
in an enraged mans hand flashed
through my mind. OF all weapons in
the world, what could be more danger
Gus? How powerless would human
flesh be if opposed to its keen, merciless
edge?
"All the time I had returned his stare,
my whole being thrilled by the demon
in his eyes. | reused myself and made
a desperate spring at his throat; but he
anticipated me, and down swept the re-
morseless instrument, with what result
you now see. dashed him aside and
threw the chair upon him. Fortunately
| had my pistol with me, which was out
III an instant l thought [ would make
one more attempt to escape, and so
started for the door but again he an
ticipated me, jumped in the way, and
stood there the personifcation OF de-
monacal frenzy
" could not get ont there now, and
there remained but one alternative, my
pistol, and what if it, too, failed me
"Ileveled itupon him as he advanced,
and pulled the trigger
Thank heaven, my aim was true,
and with fearful execration he fell for
ward at my feet, frightfully but not
MORALLY, wounded.
The person in the next room, who,
it afterward TRANSFERRED had fallen
asleep was aroused by the report, and
rushed in just mt this moment.
go Mon Dieu! You villain, you have
killed my brother, he exclaimed but
seeing how badly | was cut, he said no
more, but ran to the door and called for
assistance. Several physicians were
among those brought in, one of whom
came to my relief.
" All, : said he, 'you made a narrow
escape you are not dangerously burt,
but your countenance is disfgured for
life. No, never mind, he continued,
seeing L was about to explain, [ under
stand. My evidence is all you want in
this matter l have known him long
time. Many years ago he was victim
to occasional violent insanity; we
thought he was entirely cured, but /
see that it has returned upon him.
fear irremediably. Let us be thankful
that it was not worse.
"After some weeks of confinement /
was up and well again, and after going
through the necessary legal examination
Immediately took my departure from
Paris-you may rest assured, with an
earnest desire to escape the horrors of
such another experience.
Hullo !" he exclaimed, at the same
time jumping ont of the stage, which
had stopped, eve have made twenty
miles already"
"And much shorter than they would
have been," l replied, "but for ycur
vivid description.