Morris tribune., 1882-02-02
The Waxen Head-A Study of Madness.
From the San Francisco Argonaut

Yes, killed him.
But why? you ask. All, that is the oues
ton. The judge, the lawyers, and the Jury
cannot tell. They have ascribed all man
ner of motives to me. They have said that
have been brutal and cold blooded from
my birth-a moral monster. Wrong-I am
gentle almost to timidity. They have said
that there was woman in the case.
Wrong-I scarcely knew the man, and
knew no woman whom he knew. NV adj
vocate has said that I am mad, and that
the waxen head reminded me of some wom-
an whom / had loved. Wrong-I never
loved but one, and she was dark.
The head, you will notice, is that of a
blonde.
Yes, killed him, and for what you will
think trlhe-because he refused to re-
move waxen image from the window of
his hair dressing shop.
Odd, was it notS
Let me tell you my story. was poor
miserably, wretchedly poor. I had come
to the great city, as come so many men, in
search of employment. Anything, whether
hand-work or brain work, would willing
~ have done. But work 1 could not get.
The first day went to seventeen places.
They were sorry there was no opening;
possibly there might be; would cali again?
and was politely ushered out.
I waited. called again. I was again
rebufed-a little less politely than before.
went to other places. The same expert
ence. In all that great city there seemed
no work for me to do.
was gradually spending the small stock
of money had brought with me-all had
in the world. Finally it was gone. I
pawned what few articles of jewelry had,
and continued my quest for work. At last
received some. 1t was copying at misea-
BILE pittance, but it was work.
My humble lodging was in a dingy street,
and directly opposite was a hair dressers
shop. In the window was an object the
sight of which annoyed me. In this life
you meet persons who are repugnant to
you, as well as those whom you like. To-
one of a sensitive nature, like myself, the
same rule applies to inanimate objects.
Even for tables and chairs have my likes
and dislikes. Things, says the Latin poet,
have tears; so, too, have they irony. And
this object in the hair .dresser's window
produced upon me dissagreeable sensa-
ton of irony. The impression was all the
more disagreeable, because was ashamed
of myself for feeling it.
crossed the street and examined the OBJ
ject of my dislike. 1t was nothing-noth-
ing but Waxen Head. But it was dis
agreeable. It looked like real head-a
head cut from body. 1t was not bust,
such as hair dressers ordinarily have, but
simple head, cut off at the neck, and placed
on shelf, with background of coarse, red
cloth. A flowing, blonde wig was upon it,
and its CLASSY, blue eyes had metallic
lIstre. There was mechanical smile up
on its painted lps-a disagreeable amile.
Almost q contemptuous smile. And 7
could not help thinking that the Thing
looked superciliously at me.
fnishsd the copying I had, and went
for more. None to be had. Again went
my weary round. No work. Dispirited
and melancholy, I returned to my lonely
room. It was after dark. The hair dress
er's window was family illuminated by 6
sickly, sputtering lamp. But in the dark.
nees there shown out two brilliant points
of light.
They were the eyes of the Waxen Head.
began to grow alarmed, despite myself
Gould the cursed thing be acting on my
brain? Was I in danger of madnessi
But no; what follyl would not look up
on it. I would avoid gazing out of the
window. For a week would not let my
eyes fall upon it. But it was not withou
an effort. I experienced veritable tugs a
times, pulling me around to look at the
Waxen Head. But resisted.
At last one night I was returning home
Just after dark. The window was not light.
ed; was safe. Just as reached the front
of the shop a lamp-lighter touched street
lamp near by. The fame shot from the jet
the light fell upoon the window. Starting
out of the darkness I saw the mockins
Head.
could not restrain myself. L entered
the shop, determined to make the owner re-
move the hideous thing. AS crossed thu
Threshold SNUG fellow advanced. bow.
ing, Sinking, and rubbing his hands.
What can I do for you, sir?"
Nothing" said I; @that is, nothing in the
what a very singular head you have
there in the windowl"
do you think so, sir?"
Yes. Can it be possible that it is any
use to your"
"Oh, yes: it serves to attract customers
and to display wigs. And then, you know
it is one one of the accessories Of our bus
mess"
But" said I, hotly, "why do you mo-
have bustP You certainly should have 6
bust" He was staring at me. I went OF
more calmly: Besides, with bust, 6
handsome pair Of shoulders, necklace, OF
look more attractive"
VERY true, sir" but snch things cost
money, and money, Sir, IS something not
very plentiful in this shop"
grew excited again. could not help
it. Il do not care" said I; that objec
there looks like genuine head human
head. There are people whom such things
effect. A nervous shock might b'
caused"
He burst into roar Of laughter.
I changed my tone. became humble
admitted that the head produced sinis
ter impression on me, and begged him tc
remove 1t.
why" said he, If you are so nervous
you had better change your lodgings. It il
easy to do that. do not see why SHOULD
injure my business on account of YOU
whims.
He was right. could not rightfully asl
him to do it. But change my lodgings
what a bitter jestl could not pay 70
those I had, much less secure new ones
with payment in advance required. wen
out deiectedly, my head bent, and leftthe
thing still in the window. And yet they
call me ferocious!
But NV torture was only begun. Th
cursed barber told his neighbors Of m,
visit. I became show for the gigglinf
shop-keepers. They would watch for m!
ooinqs and comings, and when I passed th
window. with averted face, they woul'
chuckle and sneer. Even the little chill
dren would point their fingers ct me, AM
their childish trebles would join the sheer
ing laughter of the elder fools.
Curses on theml wonder did not d
murder then.
One day NV friend Arnold came to Sc
me--the only friend had in the great city