The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-11
ROSCOE CONKLING.
The Ex-senator in Barber ShOp-An Indi-
cation Of His Remarkable Popularity.
CLARA BELLE.

| Special the IndlacapoIis Journal
NEW YORK, March 9.-"That's Roscoe Conk-
/ ling in the next chair"
A dapper little barber was gracefully swing
| ing bright steel blade over my face one after
| noon this week as | recined in a luxurious chair
| in the Hoffman House barber shop. He danced
| around like monkey with a hot penny in his
paw, and every few seconds threw admiring
| elances at the occupant of the adjoining chair,
and the favored individual who had been per-
mitted by fate to caress the beard and Hyperion
curl that all the world has heard about.
''Thats Roscoe Conkling in the next chair, !"
he muttered below his breath, while he swung
his razor in nervous way that made my heart
beat like trip-hammer. closed my eyes and
said nothing. I could hear the steady click
click, click of the scissors they opened and
closed on the ex-Senators locks.
1'Not too short" heard him say, and as
opened my eyes saw he held celluloid hand
glass up to his face so that he could see the ef-
feet of the BARRIERS work. AS closed nv eyes
again the little fellow who daubing my ears
and mouth with lather leaned aud trem-
blingly whispered
That's Roscoe Conkling in tho next chair"
said nothing, and only opened my eyes as
Mr. Corkling said to EiS artist
II want my beard trimmed, short and point
ed.D
The young man who was attending to me
He saturated towel with bay-rum and slapped
it over my chin and neck like a wet blanket, as
his eyes lovingly rested upon the occupant of
the next chair. Then sat TO have my hair
brushed. and saw the once great Senator take
his band-glass and carefully watch every ma
noeuvre of the man with the shears in his hands
Yes that's quite right" he said approvingly
in q low, musical voice. 81 can see. my man,
that you understand your busines. You are
indeed artist
This was too much for the man who was
brushing my hair. The brush fed around my
head like Windmill on spree. and / thought
the holder of it had been stricken with St Vituss
dance
'That's Roscoe Conkling in the next chair"
he Kissed | motioned to him not TO put vase
line on my hair. For the third time | heard the
astounding information without moving mus
Gle of my face. As slid out of the chair TO the
cashiers desk the dapper little mower CT boards
and newer of hair followed and looked at me
in amazement. / dropped silver piece into his
palm and then, as he helped me with my
overcoAt. be turned around and faced me. He
looked me squarely in the eyes. Then ne in
nated his lungs and fairly yelled:
THAT was Roscoe Conkling In the next
chair"
turned to leave the room, without utteriug
word. AS the door closed behind / heard
the little fellow ". who was then unable 10 con-
tain himself with suppressed rage and excite
ment. mutter:
'sWen. the blooming idiot is deaf and dumbg'
It was an incident to show how popular Conk-
ling is. The recent talk about him presi-
Dental candidate has stirred up a few of his
old friends who seem TO think that he could be
elected President. But these acting
without Mr.. Conklings sanction. To an intimate
friend he recently said tnat he long ago knew
he could never be elected President. and he
has no desire 10 hold any other Office. He
lives quietly, bus in great luxury, at the
Hoffman House. He has a magniicen suite Of
rooms. for which he nays $50 per day One of
these rooms is fitted up as q gymnasium, and
here the ex Senator, no matter how busy,
spends an hour in the morning and afternoon
exercising with dumb-bels and Indian clubs
He walks great deal and appears TO be in the
pink of physical health He wandered into the
Hoffman House cafe the other. evening. and
remained long enough TO shake hands with Billy
Edwards. the lightweight pueilist and bouncer
os the eatAblishmena Billy smiled gleefully As