The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-03-18
FIorences Pet Barber. /;

I could not help hearing it, because
waiting for the same barber. Florence
had had m enormous house Monday
night, was bland and beaming, and set
tied himself in Gus Lewis chair at the
Grand Pacific barber-shop Tuesday
morning, with the air of man truly
satisfied with the comfort and happiness
the " Almighty Dollar" can, bring. :.
''Do you. know said Florence con-
fidentially to the barber, 81 never get
into barber chair without thinking OF
Henry Jumperfz, and resolving to write
barber story" Gus had, in the mean
tine, provided Mr.. Florence with plenty
of lather and taffy, and secured passes
for two to McVicker's that evening,
when he continued his chatter:
Il think it was in $50. / was on my
way west from Detroit, and occupied a
seat with quiet, intelligent gentleman
that somehow got interested in after
awhile, but found it hard work to draw
out. tried to size him up. but couldn't
make out whether he was decent sort
of preacher, a well-behaved CONNER
cial traveller, or some modest sort of a
newspaper mani knew, he wasn't an
actor, or he. would have commenced Civ
ing me 'mprmer wind right off. The
fellow knew so much, confound ii, I
couldn't mention subject but what he
was up in. never enjoyed a mans
company SO much in my life; but there
was no use; he wouldn't give up any
thing.
ave got in Chicago early in the
morning, and, as we actors all used to
stop at the old Matteson House, invit-
ed my fellow-traveler up there to get
something warm. After we'd had a
drink, as we both needed shave, we
started for the barber-shop. He got in
ahead of me and got my regular barber
chair, so l took a chair and waited
Then took my time and went to chat
ting with Henry-that was his name,
Henry Jumpertz as always do to
the old boys that shave me at different
places.
my quiet friend, who had given the
name of Brown, courteously waited for
me until l was through, and l says to
him: Say, Brown. Henry gives man
mighty good shave, don't hep Yes,
he replied, he's a splendid workman.
He keeps sharp razorsr
"Of course, didn't pay any atten-
; ton to such a remark as that at the
time. When we got out into the office,
Mr.. Brown thanked me for the pleasure
he had had in my company; and, just
as he was about leaving me, said: Mr..
Florence, to be frank with you, am q
detective. l have been looking for a
murderer; have got him. Good-day
Mr.. Florence
I" had some engagements farther
West, and, after / had played them, 1
came back, went to the Matteson House,
as usual, started in to get shaved, looked
around for Henry, couldn't find him,
shouted to the boss and asked him
where he was. why, didn't you know
about Jumpertz? Well, well, well! Why,
Jumpertz was arrested for murder not
fifteen minutes after he shaved You the
last morning you were in here, and the
man who had his shave ahead of you
was the officer who arrested himr
"Of course was perfectly paralyzed,
but found on inquiry that Jumpertz had
been arrested for the murder of his mis-
tress. He was charged with numbering
her, cutting her in pieces, packing her
in a barrel and shipping her East. /
never heard what became of -Jumpertz,
but the whole business kept running in
my head ever since. and never get in
to barber-chair without wonder if the
man that's shaving me isn't another
murderer!-Chicago Cor. Louisville
Courier-Journal.