The Hawaiian gazette., 1885-11-17
An Imperiled Throat.

mo, thank you, General, but please ex
cuse me-"
The remark was addressed to General
McComb, Warden of the Folsom Prison
by Superior Judge Murphy of San Fran
cisco, at that institution last Sunday. The
official was one of party visiting there
But, my dear Judge" said the genial
General, consider the ladies. twill soon
be dinner time, and the silver of your bud
ding beard should not show"
"Well, I'll you why do not care to get
shaved in prison." said the Judge. at
awakens unpleasant recollections Several
years ago went over to Petaluma. Near
there l saw an employee at San Quentin
and drove with him to the prison. was
dusty, and my face was little rough, as
now. l accepted an invitation to go to the
barber shop conducted for the officials ]
took seat in the chair, and who do you
think stepped up to shave me. 1t was
Jake Wilkinson, sent over for forty years
for cutting a woman's throat. He was
said to have sort of mania for that sort
of business, and proved it a year or two
later by cutting woman's throat at Homo
lulu, having been pardoned to leave Cali
fornia As District Attorney l had prose
cuted him with some vim, and be always
claimed that it was done in bitterness, and
that my argument, rather than the evi-
dence, procured verdict, which was not
so. Now, imagine my feelings. There
was barber with throat-cutting mania,
who had no hope of liberty, who blamed
me for it, and who could easily take his
revenge, as no one was in or near the bar
ber-shop. He recognized me and began
to strap razor, emphasizing each vigorous
stroke with words which, summed up,
were 'No-Judge-I-haven't- any
grudge- against-you. Oh, no-I-hav-
en't-any- grudge-at-all. Should 1
show the white feather or brave it out? l
felt chilly as the razor rang, but concluded
to keep my seat. THE fellow pulled my
chin back, dashed the razor up and down
my face, all the time repeating, "You were
very hard on me, Judge, but haven't any
grudge against you, oh, no. in voice that
sounded strangely ironical and demonia-
cal. Well, came away unframed, but it
was not pleasant, can assure you, though
laugh over it now"
"Oh, well, that was unpleasant" said the
host, 'but have nice barber Show the
Judge to the barber ROOM" said the Gene
raj to n servant, waving his hand in
pleasantly lmper1ous manner.
The Judge yielded and followed up
stairs to shop in the back part of the
building, where he was ushered into
room, and then the servant departed.
When the official looked about to see the
barber it proved to be Harry Brown,
colored man whom Judge Murphy only
seven months ago sent to Folsom for fifty
five years for murder Here was a coin
cidence. Having had one thrilling expert
ence the Judge did not relish another.
"Great Heavens! am | doomed to have my
throat cutf" was his inward exclamation.
Flight or submission to nerve trying or
deal was necessary After a momentary
shock had gone and the recollection of the
former affair passed before him like pic
ture, he decided to stay.
'Howdy do, Harry" said the Judge, Il
did not know you were here, but am glad
to see you in a fayorite berth of the estab-
ishment. General McComb has been tell
ing me hownicely his barber was getting
along.n
"Howdy do, said the barber,in far away
voice that sounded ominous Harry turned
to the strop and vigorously sharpened he
blade, while alternate smiles and frowns
were upon his face, each sound of the
razor suggesting an additional depth that
a wound might be given.
A happy thought of interesting the pri-
5oner and appeasing him entered the judi
cial mind of the apprehensive official, and
it was soon put into effect.
Harry" he said, Il am glad to see you
in the shop. 1t is the first step toward
your release. eyes," was added when
smile and hopeful inquiry appeared upon
The face of the prisoner, you can behave
yourself here, make yourself agreeable to
ihe Warden, get his good will, and will
become acquainted with the Prison Direc-
'ors, get their sympathy, and by and by,
you know, when the proper time has
Elapsed, they may help you. Yes, we'll
III help you, Harry"
With such talk did the one in the chair
'ntertain the barber, the usual order Of |
Kings being reversed upon this occasion,
Until the implement was closed and laid |
lpon the shelf Then the Judge relaxed |
he apprehensive tension and was in |
lappier frame of mind. But he at once
ook VOW never to again run the risk of |
shave in State Prison, thinking the |
bird experience might result differently |
rom the others, though the Warden, who |
ad not known who sentenced his barber, |
ssured his guest that there had been no
anger incurred in the last instance. as
he barber is a sensible and hopeful man.
-SdcrdmeHto Bee.