Ellsworth American., 1874-06-18
Vol. Xxx. Whole No. lOl2. No, Is,
Miscellaneous.
Shaving q Millionaire.


1t seems that Billy, while in country
erty, stepped into barber's shop to gel
shaved. The shop was full of customers
and the old gentleman quietly waited
tor his turn.
A customer who was under the bar.
bsr's hands when the old gentleman
came in, asked the man of the razor, in
an undertone, if he knew who that was
and on receiving negative reply, in
formed him in whisper that it was "Old
Billy Gibbons, the richest man in the
State"
Cad said the barber, I'll charge him
for his shave
Accordingly after the old man had the
operation performed. he was somewhat
surprised upon asking the price, to be
told seventy five cents.
'Seventy-five cents said he, quietly,
"isn't that rather high price?'
Its my price, said he of the lather
brush, independently, and as this is the
only BARRIERS shop in the place, them as
comes into it must pay what ask
To the old gentleman this was rather
knock-down argument, for he drew
three quarters of u dollar from his pock-
ct, paid them over to the barber and left
the shop.
A short time afterward he was in close
conversation with the landlord of tav-
crn hard by, and the topic of the conver-
sa,ion was barber shops.
why is it, said be, there's only one
barber shop in town. There seems to
be nearly work enough for two.
We'll, there used to be two,' said the
landlord, till last winter, when this new
man came up from the city and opened
new shop, and as everything in it was
fresh and new, folks sort of deserted Bill
Harringtons shop, which has been 60
ing on Tor nigh fourteen years
But didn't this Bill do good work?
Didn't he shave we'll and cheap?'
We'll, as for that said the landlord,
'Bill did his work we'll enough, but his
shop wasn't on the main street like the
new one, and didn't have so many pict-
ures and handsome curtains, and folks
got in the way of thinking the new chap
was more scientific and brought more
city fashions with him, though, to tell
tine truth said the landlord, striking
chin sown with beard resembling
screen wire, Il never want a lighter
touch or a keener razor than Bill Har-
rintons.'
City iashiOns-eh| growled the old
man. so the new mans citv fashions
shut up the other barber shop?
well, not exactly said the landlord,
though things never did seem to 90
well with Bill after the new shop opened
first, one of his little children died of fe-
yer; then his wife was sick long time,
and Bill had big bill to paw at the doe
Tors: then As last misfortune. his shnn
tools, furniture and all, aud no insur-
ance'
Well said the old man pettishlv,
why don't he start sgainp
start again. said the communicative
landlord, why, bless your soul, he hasn't
got anything to start with,
'H-ml Where does this man liye?'
asked the old man.
He was directed, and ere long was in
conversation with the unfortunate tonsor
who corroborated the landlords story.
why don't you take the new shop"
said the old mar. There's u new one
IN the block right opposite the other bar
Der shop
w hat said the other, you must be
crazy. Why, that block belongs to old
Billy Gibbons; he'd never let one of
these stores for barber shop; they are
a mighty sight too good; besides that, l
haven't got twenty dollars in the world
to fit it up with.
you don't know old Billy Gibbons as
well as do said the other. Now listen.
II you could have that shop all fitted up,
rent free, what will you work in it for
by the month! What is the least you can
live on!
The proposition somewhat startled the
unfortunate hair-dresser, who finally
found words to stammer out that per-
haps twelve or fifteen dollars month
would be almost enough.
'Pshaw = said the old man, that won't
10. Now listen to me-Ill give you
that store, rent free for one year, and
engage your services six months, all on
these conditions. You are to shave and
cut hair for everybody that applies 10
you and take no pay; just charge it all
to me, and for your services I'll pay you
twenty dollars a month, payable in ad-
vance-pay to commence now,' contin-
ued he placing two ten dollar notes on
the table before the astonished barber
who it is almost unnecessary to state
accepted the proposition, and who was
still more surprised to learn that it was
Billy Gibbons, himself that had hired
him.
In a few days the inhabitants of that
village were astonished by the appear
ance of new barber shop far surprising
the other in elegance of appointments,
and in which, with new mugs, soaps,
razors and perfume, stood bs rber and
assistant ready to do duty on the heads
and boards of people. Over the door
was inscribed, William Harrington,
shaving and Hair Dressing Saloon
The people were not long in ascertain
ing or slow in availing themselves of
the privilege of this establishment, and
it is not to be wondered that it was
crowded and the other deserted. The
other held ont for some weeks, suspect
ing this tree shaving-for Bill kept his
secret well-was but dodge 10 entice
customers away, who would soon be
charged as usual; but when at the end
of six weeks, he found Billy working
away as usual, charg ing not a cent for
his labor, and having money to spend
in the bargain, he came to the conclusion
that he must have drawn prize lottery,
or stumbled upon gold mine, and was
keeping barber shop for fun, SO he closed
the shop in despair and left the place.
Meanwhile. Bill Harrington kept on
busy as bee, and one fine morning his
employer stepped in, and without
word sat down and shaved; in rising
from his seat he asked to see the score
for the six months past. The barber ex-
hibited it, and after a careful calculation,
the old man said:
Plenty of customers, eh!'
Lots Of EN-, said the barber, never
did such business in my life!'
'Welf replied Money Bags, you have
kept the account well. l see I've paid
YOU one hundred and twenty dollars for
your services-all righl-and there are
three hundred and thirty charged for
shaving all that applied; now the furni-
.ure cost one hundred and two dollars.
Here it is. Now you own this furni-
ture, and are to have this shop rent free
six months longer and after to-day you
are to charge the regular price for your
work for your pay stops from to-day
This, of course the barber gladly as
i sAnfAd tn .s-.s@H