American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-12-20

turned off into a side street, leading |
knew not whittier. But | was in for it,
and determined to explore it to the end.
AT first the shops on either side presented
a 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 l went
the more dingy and tumble down appear
anCe did everything present. 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 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.
Now and then passed "A wine-shop
within which 1 supposed a 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 l become absorbed
in my own thoughts, that did not notice
a gutter which rap across the sidewalk,
and as a very probable consequence, STUN
bled, and was only saved from falling by
the friendly Intervention of lamp-post.
l Immediately recovered myself, and was
about moving on when l was accOsted by
a man standing in a barber-shop:
"'Ah! good evening, sir; you have
nearly met with an accident
Yes returned; but it will teach
me to be more careful, for tonight, at any
rate
"'Ah! you are an Englishman,' said he;
you are very much out of your latitude.
Cannot l do something for your he con-
tinued, with a significant scrape with his
hand over his cheek and a knowing wink.
"'You have the honor, then, of conduct
ing this establishments" l inquired.
"'Ies,' said he; walk in
l considered moment, and then con-
cluded to go in, as | must confess that L
had to some extent neglected my personal
appearance for some days. The shop was
very neatly, if not elegantly fitted up,
fact which l noticed particularly and it
was located in what seemed to me a very
obscure neighborhood.
"'Give me your coat said he; take a
seat here. All, mon Dieui you must have
walked very far-you are perspiring. We
will wait few minutes; here is a fan.
What in the world could have broHght
you here? You must be on the lookout
for adventure; not more likely place in
Paris, l assure you, for this is the home of
beautiful women-enchanting delicious y
and his eyes wandered heavenward, or
ceilingward, as if vision of fairies had
then and there transfiXed him.
go, no. l 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 therc?
"'All right was the answer, which
came in a muffled tone through the parti-
ton.
CHOW, we are ready; Just a 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 fearfully rapid
rate; l 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 rightp and adj
vanced 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 in
cessant talking that, in spite of all my eff
forts, 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
cd my head into the proper position for
shaving the other.
Il looked up with the intention of re-
monstrating. What glare there was in
his eyes. Instinctively l shudder-
ed, 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
fiendish intensity. Great heavens! l
thought, if the man be insane, what pos
sibility is there of my escape? l could
not move; it seemed as if l were fascina-
ted 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 dangerous. How powerless would
human flesh be if opposed to its keen,
merciless edge.
"All the time l had returned his stare,
my whole being thrilled by the demon in
his eyes. l reused myself and made a
desperate spring at his throat; but he an
ticipated me, and down swept the re-
morseless instrument, with what result
you now see. | dashed him aside and
drew the chair upon him.-sFortunately L
had my pistol with me, which was out
in an instant l thought would make
one more attempt to escape, and so started
for the door; but again he anticipated me, |
Jumped in the way and stood there the |
DISQUALIFICATION of demoniacal frenzy.
Il could not get out there now, and |
there remained but one alternative, my
pistol, and what if it, too, failed me?
and pulled the trigger.
''Thank heaven, my aim was true, and
with IA fearful eXecration he fell forward
at my feet, frighttully but not MORALLY |
wounded.
The person in the next room, who, it |
afterwards transpired, had fallen asleep, |
was aroused by the report, and rushed IN
Just at this moment.
"'Mon DieuI You william, you have |
killed my brother he exclaimed; but |
seeing how badly l 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.
"'Ahp said he, you made narrow es-
cane; YOU are not dangerously hurt, but
your countenance is distigured for life. |
No, never mind he continued, seeing |
was about TO explain, Il understand. My |
evidence is all you want in this matter. |
I,,,,., I,,,urn him :, LONG time MANY