The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-01-30

ton from the world. Here | was in
large city, knowing but n few persons
and very little probability of my meet
ing any Of them in so crowded a tho
I rOughfare.
" So, perfectly lost within myself,
wandered on for about an hour, until a
last | began to tire of the never-faggine
hustle and noise which beset me OF
[ every side, and without thinking for {
/ moment, turned off into a side street
I leading [ knew not whittier But wa.
/ IN forit, and determined to explore it t.
/ the end. At first the shops ON either
/ side presented a brilliant appearance
with their tastefully arranged show.
windows and dazzling mirrors, but as
my footsteps advanced, these signs OF
refinement and splendor began to di.
minish, and the further | went the more
dlngy and tumblC-dOwn appearance did
everything present. A bright idea
struck me it would be a great thing to
I lose myself and, utterly needless, ]
turned corner after corner, until / was
lost to my entire satisfaction.
''TLe sun had now gone down, and
here and there the street lamps were
being lighted, which, if anything, added
to everything around me.
But few persons were stirring in the
street, and they seemed to be very much
absorbed in the all-important matter of
getting home.
" Now and then Ipassed n wine shop,
within which | supposed a few of their
regular customers were congregated,
but as 1t was then quite early, none of
b
them particularly hilarious. Still on
and ON [ went, noticing but little, but
apparently observed by no one.
$50 completely had I become alb
sorbed in my own thoughts, that did
not notice a gutter which ran across the
sidewalk, and as a very probable conse-
quence, stumbled, and was only saved
from falling by the friendly interven-
covered myself, and was about moving
ing in a barber shop
d" An good evening, sir you have
nearly met with an accident
Yes 1 returned but it will
teach me to be more careful, for to-
night, at any rate. "
All you are an Englishman,'
your latitude. Cannot I do something
for You p he continued, with a signif-
cant scTape with his hand over his cheek
and a knowing wink.
60 You have the honor, then, of con-
Quoting this establishment ?" l in
quired.
- Yes, said he; walk in
I considered moment, and then
concluded to go in, as [ must confess
that / had to some extent neglected my
personal appearance for some days.
The shop was very neatly, If not ele-
gantly, fitted up, fact which l noticed
particularly, and il was located in what
seemed to me very obscure neighbOr-
hood.
- Give me your coat, said he take
n seat here. All, mon DieuI you must
have walked very far-yOu are perspir-
ing We viii wait few moments here
is q fan. What in the world could have
brought you here ? You must be on the
lookout for adventure not more like
" place in Paris, | assure you, for this
is the home OF the demi-monde. All,
beautiful womanl enchanting, delicious!
and his eyes wandered heayenward, or
ceilingward, as if a vision of fairies had
then and there trausfXed him.
80 O no, Ireplied,. you have entirely
mistaken my object.
a. Excuse ne; You cannot repress
The curiosity of a Frenchman. Albert.
said he calling to some one in the next
room, are You there
- Al right, was the answer, which
came in untitled tone through the par
tition.
80 Nov, we are ready; just a little
higher, If you please, there, that is
Just right.
9" He now occupied himself for some
time in spreading the soap over my face,
talkiug all tire time, and apparently in
the merriCst mood. When this part of
his labor was finished, he fell to strap
ping the razor over his hand at fear
fully rapid rate could not help but
shudder at his seeming Indifference to
the proximity of such a dangerous in
strumcut, and veutuTed 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 a dazzling speed.
Finally, with one lightning stroke, a
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 reassuTing, but he kept NJ
such an incessaut talking that in spite
of all nay efforts l could not help feeling
quite uneasy.
- At last he finished one side, passed
/ his hand over it, expressed his satisfac
1 ton, and, with one spasmodic movement
ierked my head into the proper position
for shaving the other.
Il looked up with The intention o.
. remonstruting My God what a glare
there was IN his eyes. Instinctively
suuddered. but could not speak a word.
H. held the razor in his right hand witt
the edge toward me, as in the act o.
. striking. His gaze was riveted upon me
with almost fieudish intensity. Grea
heavens! | thought, if the man be in
sane, what possibility is there O
my escape l could not move
. it seemed as if | were fasci
mated by his penetrating stare. Ii
an instant the terrible effect of a razO
in an cnraged mans hand flashed
through my mind. OF all weapons il
the world. what could be more danger
OUS? How pOverleSS would human
flesh be if opposed to its keen, merciles
/ edge?
''All the time l had returned his stare
my whole being thrilled by the demon
in his eyes. l reused myself and mad
"a desperate spring at his throat; but h
anticipated me, and down swept the re
morseless Instrument, with what result
You now see. l dashed him aside an,
threw the chair upon him. Fortunatel,
| had my pistol with me, which was on
IN aH instant ] thought l would max
one more attempt to escape, and s.
started 70 the door; but again he an
ticipated me jumped in the way, ant
stood there the Personifcation of de
moniacal frenzy.
Il could not get ont there now. an,
there remained but one alternative. m.
pistol. and what if it, too, failed me
"Ileveled itupon him rs he advanced
and pulled the trigger.
Thank heaven, my aim was true
and with a fearful execration he felifol
ward Mt my feet, frightfully but nC
mortaliy, wounded.
3" The person in the next room, whC
II offerVard transpired. had falle